RSS

Blogger

Home * Site Search  * Headlines * Events * Pan TnT * Pan Global * Message Board * Guest Book * Pan News * Pan RadioTwitter* Facebook  * About Us  *  Support Panonthenet/WST

 Pan News Digest



Get The Latest News
Join Mailing List

  Bookmark and Share

GSMN
GLOBAL STEELPAN MUSIC NEWS


GSMN
GLOBAL STEELPAN MUSIC NEWS

April  2009


Archive


message board

Web Feed 

 

NY Panyard 2004 DVD

click to hear sample

Pantonic Steel Orchestra
Pan for All Seasons


1-718-434-0321
“Tonic Gems”

A Must-Have:
The Latest from Pantonic Steel Orchestra
 

WOMEN IN STEEL
Beautiful Pan Music


1-718-629-2471

UTOPIA PAN SOUL
The Next Generation
A New York Original

1-718-
756-1502

 

Press Releases
The latest from our PR department.

Hot CD Releases

BASEMENT
CD & DVD Productions

 


Allway Sync is free file and folder synchronization software for Windows.
Synchronize files on your local, network and removable drives

 




Use Arles Image Web Page Creator to quickly and easily create image galleries on the web.

 




Super DVD Copy
Backup your DVD movie to DVD+R/RW or DVD-R/RW disc. Get full DVD quality and all the menus

 

 
Outlook-Express-Backup.Com - download a handy utility to backup your Outlook Express emails and settings.

 


 
Sharewareguide shareware and freeware download

 

-A professional software and freeware download provider including Audio and Multimedia, Utilities, Game, Internet, Software Development, Home & Education, Web Authoring, Business (PAD file enabled).

 

 





The Yard Series


     


 The Business of Steelpan Music 24 -7



Connect with When Steel Talks on facebook


 

The top news headlines on current events from
 When Steel Talks! News


Use Headlines! News to find breaking news, current events, the latest headlines, news photos, analysis & opinion on top stories, world, business, politics, events, performances...
headlines.panonthenet.com  
more
 

When Steel Talks on Twitter


“The Bradley Years”

The Bradley Years represent the definitive collection of steelband music arrangements and performances for a large steel orchestra. This collection showcases seven classic arrangements from the master arranger Clive Bradley.  Bradley is considered to be the best steelband music arranger ever by many, including his peers.  In addition, the arrangements are performed by one of the finest steelbands in the world, New York’s Pantonic Steel Orchestra. Clive Bradley had a very special relationship with Pantonic.  This orchestra clinched the title of panorama champions five times in seven years - performing Bradley’s musical works.  The performances were captured by Basement Recordings days before, and in one instance, mere moments before they took the stage for the prestigious annual steelband music panorama competition.  The recordings capture, reproduce and present an unrivalled clarity with sonic realism, of a large steel orchestra fielding between one hundred and one hundred twenty musicians - unlike any other steelband music recordings in its class.   

This body of musical work is a sterling addition for all fans, educators, players, historians and fine music collectors.

click to listen


 WST YouTube Channel


Pan in New York CD and DVD available here



The Yard Recordings
Available Now!
click to hear

Sonatas, Pantonic, Sesame, Harmony, D’Radoes, Crossfire


Simply one of the greatest steelband recordings to date! 
A collector’s item...

[ PANTONIC + BASEMENT + BRADLEY ] x 4 =
MASTERPIECE

- Clive Bradley the Master at Work -

Very Sweet Pan Music
Get Your Copy Now

click  - limited copies available >>





BRADLEY’S PAVILION

Live Steelband Performances

 
 

Join the
 
When Steel Talks
Family

One million pan-fans
under a world pan groove..
.

http://www.panonthenet.com/mailout/join/index.htm  

 

Web Posted - Monday October 23, 2006
When Steel Talks

Steelband Site Ring
Join Now

When Steel Talks site ring dedicated to Steelband/Steelpan businesses, associations and organizations.

View


HALL OF FAME



WST YouTube Channel



Support PanOnTheNet.com


Hire Basement Recordings for your project


Here’s What you Missed!! - Last Month’s News, click Here!



When Steel Talks Now on facebook
Stays The Course

Check out our Page and Group on Facebook

When Steel TalksWhen Steel Talks has set up a group on Facebook where we can post more steelpan pictures, videos and events. We would like to add you as a fan so you can expand your steelpan music experience. First, you need to join Facebook! Once you join, you can also create your own profile.

When Steel Talks

Here’s the link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/When-Steel-
Talks/22270666964 

 



Add Steelpan Music News Feed To Your Site: Click Here

Pan 4 Life

Steelband listings and information



Find more photos like this on When Steel Talks


Web Posted - Thursday April 30, 2009
When Steel Talks
An Opportunity Missed
The Fifth Summit of the Americas
and the Steelband
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Trinidad and Tobago missed a golden opportunity to ‘sell’ steelband to the visiting heads of states who came for the 5th Summit of the Americas. Try to imagine the level of publicity that could have been generated if we had given a tenor pan, a stand, a case and a pair of sticks to each visiting head of state.

Look at the sudden rise in popularity of a book given by Mr. Chavez to Mr. Obama, it became an instant bestseller. All the front pages of our dailies carried a photo of the US president playing a batting stroke with his gift from Brian Lara.

These two incidents indicated to me that we are still a bit shy when it comes to our national instrument. It would have cost us a miniscule part of the summit budget to have our finest Tuners prepare thirty-three tenors for the visitors - each engraved with the head of state’s name to personalize the gift.
click for more


Web Posted - Wednesday April 29, 2009
When Steel Talks
Andy Akiho & Friends to Unveil “Synesthesia Suite”
Works for Steel Pan with jazz combo and chamber orchestra
 

New York, USA - Musician, performer, composer and educator Andy Akiho does not rest when it comes to the thrill of his life - music. Well-versed on chamber and conventional orchestra instruments, he has a special passion for his primary instrument - the steel pan.

Akiho incorporates the steel pan into many of his compositions for Contemporary Classical Music, fusing the unique timbres of the pan with traditional western instruments (strings, woodwinds, brass, etc.).

....And it is that inspiration, determination and talent that will be front and center two days from now, when Andy Akiho presents his final show - “Synesthesia,”  (with music by Akiho) - at Manhattan School of Music's Borden Auditorium, New York - featuring steel pans, jazz combo and chamber orchestra. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and this unique musical event is free and open to the public.
click for more


Web Posted - Wednesday April 29, 2009
Trinidad Guardian
South steelband captures major pan title
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Junia Regrello, said it has been 34 years since a south steelband has captured a major pan title.

The TCL Group Skiffle Bunch Orchestra, led by Regrello, sailed into the finals of Pan in the 21st Century on April 17 and won the challenge from a field of 12 bands.

....Speaking at a thanks-giving and appreciation function held at the bands home base on Coffee Street in San Fernando, Regrello said it was a group of young of people who formed the stage aggregation. He added that their determination and discipline attributed to their victory at the Queens Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. The band performed sixth on final night, with the song made popular by Ray Charles, Georgia on my Mind, arranged by Keith Salcedo who was chalking up his second win in his competition; the first being with Witco Desperadoes.
click for more


Web Posted - Tuesday April 28, 2009
St. Thomas Source
Pre-Teen Tramp Sets Stage for Parades to Come
 

St. Thomas, V.I. - With dozens of steel pans ringing and the Rising Stars' trolley bouncing the wrong way down Main Street, talented island youth knocked Carnival up a notch Tuesday with the Pre-Teen Tramp.

The youngsters set the stage for the elders' venue, the traditional Seniors' Quelbe Tramp, which later gathered like a storm at Rothschild Francis "Market" Square and then rolled out down Main Street to Tolbod Gade at the edge of Emancipation Gardens Park.

....The sunset tramp Tuesday gave the Rising Stars another chance to show their stuff after their performance Sunday at Steelband Jamboree. The drummers carefully tuned up on General Gade across from the old Bank of St. Thomas building as elementary and middle school students filled Market Square at around 6 p.m. island time.
click for more


Web Posted - Tuesday April 28, 2009
When Steel Talks
NIU Steelband taking
‘Pan on the Internet’
to New Levels
 

Illinois, USA - This past weekend while members of When Steel Talks (WST) took in the NBA broadcast on cable television, we were equally pleased to tune into the internet broadcast of NIU (Northern Illinois University) Steelband’s annual Spring concert on Sunday.

The steelband music event was great as it was led by NIU’s Assistant Professor of Steel Pan Liam Teague, also co-director of the institution’s steel orchestra. The music presented for the evening showed off the versatility and skill set of the band as they performed a wide variety of songs over the approximately ninety-minute, two-set performance.

The overall quality of the internet stream was quite good. It was far superior to the internet audio and video broadcast streams we have come to expect for steelpan music events experienced through this medium.
click for more


Web Posted - Monday April 27, 2009
When Steel Talks
Inside Out Steelband Festival featuring Leon “Foster” Thomas
 

Texas, USA - The 12th annual Inside Out Steelband Festival featured Leon “Foster” Thomas performing his original music last week at the One World Theatre in Austin, Texas.

This event showcased steelbands from McCallum High School, Covington Middle School, and Bowie High School alongside a world-renowned steel drum performer. Previous years have featured Ray Holman, Liam Teague, Tom Miller, Ras Iginga, and Andy Narell.
click for more


Web Posted - Monday April 27, 2009
The Virgin Islands Daily News

Steelband Jamboree has packed stadium rocking
 

St. Thomas, V.I. -  Music, melody and beat filled Lionel Roberts Stadium on Sunday night as talented students wowed St. Thomas at the 2009 Carnival Steelband Jamboree.

Families and friends packed the stadium and they danced, clapped their hands and stamped their feet to the beat of hundreds of steelpans.

E. Benjamin Oliver Elementary School principal Lydia Simmonds-Lettsome beamed a big smile as her students - the Steel Owls - belt out impressive tunes.

The students all sported cool black shades and showcased their talent and dedication to the steelpan art form.

"They're doing a wonderful job," she said.

A proud mom, Julie Todman, said her children - Kalil and Myles - were fantastic and that all the performers put in a lot of effort in practicing for the event.

Joining the Steel Owls on Sunday night were a host of other performers, including Joseph Gomez Pan Busters, Antilles Hurricanes, Kirwan Terrace West Stars, Joseph Sibilly Sun Rays, Love City Pan Dragons, Ulla Muller Panatics, Bertha C. Boschulte Burning Blazers, Eudora Kean Devil Rays, Charlotte Amalie High School Mello Hawks, St. Thomas All Stars, Phoenix Sounds and V.I. Superior Court Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra.
click for more


Web Posted - Monday April 27, 2009
Trinidad Guardian

The Boss is not Happy
 

Trinidad and Tobago - Pan Trinbago president Patrick Arnold said, “It was quite disappointing that persons were placed there (Friday’s opening ceremony) to mimic steelband. “Can you imagine in the land where steelband was invented a live steelband could not be seen or heard? “This cultural ceremony was meant to expose T&T to the world at the opening of the Fifth Summit of the Americas. “Steelband pioneers like Victor “Toty” Wilson, Winston “Spree” Simon and Oscar “Bogart” Pile must be somersaulting in their graves.

“It is important too, that respected and responsible steelbandsmen who participated in this act must be careful with the false values their services are hired for. “T&T,” Arnold said, “cannot be compared with Brazil and several other carnival nations where costuming is concerned, yet we make a cultural presentation to the world with 90 per cent Carnival costumes… and not a live steelband. “Whoever is responsible for this mimicry of steelband must give Pan Trinbago an explanation for this insult,” the pan boss said.
click for more


Web Posted - Saturday April 25, 2009
Trinidad Express
Tobago jazz in the dark
...power outages fail to dampen spirits
 

Montgomery, Tobago, W.I. - A power outage in the area failed to halt the performances at the Pan Jazz in the Yard concert at the Redemption Sound Setters Pan Theatre, Montgomery, Tobago, on Thursday.

Presented by Pan Trinbago as part of the Tobago Jazz Festival taking place over the weekend, the show featured performances by Len "Boogsie" Sharpe, Rudy "Two Left" Smith, Mavis John, John Arnold and the Invaders Steel Orchestra.

Initially, power in the food stall, bar and concessions area failed, plunging those areas into darkness while the stage audio and lighting continued to work well because of an additional power supply. Power was restored by intermission, but just as the show was about to restart, the entire area except for the stage was plunged into darkness.
click for more


Web Posted - Friday April 24, 2009
When Steel Talks
Maryland’s Pan Masters
Steelband Organization hosts
11th Annual Pan Jamboree
 

Maryland, USA - If you’re looking for a ‘Pantastic’ way to celebrate the Memorial weekend this year, then saddle up and head to Pan Masters Steel Orchestra’s 11th annual Pan Jamboree, coming off on Sunday May 24 in North Brentwood, Maryland.

Known for putting on fabulous steelband shows several times a year, the 2009 edition of their jamboree again features an exciting line up of some of the finest steelbands on the east coast, including Pan Masters themselves. Joining them will be area steel orchestras St. Veronica’s Youth Steel Orchestra, Pan Majestic Youth Academy Steel Orchestra, Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra, DC Pan Jammers Steel Orchestra, along with reigning New York Panorama champions ADLIB Steel Orchestra.
click for more


Web Posted - Friday April 24, 2009
Trinidad Guardian
Young tuners
to take on the world
 

Trinidad, W.I. - Pan is in good hands. Thanks to Barry Yeates and George Kallicharan (Yo Yo) of the Pan Training School, Pan Development Unlimited (PDU), conducted at Belmont Secondary School, founded in 1976. The vision of this school is not to be taken lightly, and the work of delivering to the world of pan, tuners who will carry the flag of T&T must be encouraged. Some sponsors have already come aboard, including Bptt, Berger Paints, Guardian Life, National Petroleum (NP) and Standard Distributors Limited. While we bump our gums and bawl “pan is we ting,” inventions and discoveries are being made in the wider world.
click for more


Web Posted - Thursday April 23, 2009
Arizona Daily Star
They’re steeled
for a good time
 

Arizona, USA - The sound of steel drums echoed Friday throughout Catalina Foothills High School during the second annual “Field of Steel” event.

The event brings together six steel drum bands and about 300 students from local schools, from elementary through university level.

Some proceeds from concessions and donations benefited the Girl Power 2 Cure organization, which focuses on Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder that mainly affects girls.
click for more


Web Posted - Wednesday April 22, 2009
When Steel Talks
Co-director of NIU Steelband Selected for Award
 

Illinois, USA - Trinidadian-born Clifford Alexis - staff member at Northern Illinois University (NIU) - has been selected to receive an ‘Outstanding Service Award for Staff’ for the year 2009.

He has been employed with NIU for the past 22 years and at present, is the co-director of the NIU steelband together with Liam Teague.  In addition to co-directing the steelband, Clifford has been involved in composing and arranging music for the NIU steelband and other orchestras within the US.
click for more


Web Posted - Monday April 20, 2009
When Steel Talks
Steelband arranger and guitarist Scipio Sargeant passes away
 

New York - Steelband arranger and guitarist Scipio Sargeant passed away earlier today. Scipio “Skip” or “Sarge” Sargeant was born in Trinidad. At an early age he distinguished himself as one of the top musicians in his home country. As co-arranger for Despers USA, Sargeant won a record five of the orchestra’s six consecutive New York Panorama Championships from 1993–1998.

When Steel Talks extends condolences to the family of Scipio Sargeant..
click for more


Web Posted - Sunday April 19, 2009
When Steel Talks
MIT Welcomes Pantonic Steel Orchestra
 

Massachusetts, USA - This past weekend the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) held its annual ’Campus Preview Weekend (CPW). This is the annual 4-day weekend when high school seniors who have been admitted to MIT come to campus to visit and see what the school has to offer in every possible area of college life. And once again the steelpan instrument became a significant part of this landscape as hundreds of students, parents and faculty became fixated on Pantonic Steel Orchestra as they performed their varied repertoire in two sets on this beautiful Spring day in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

This was Pantonic Steel Orchestra’s fourth consecutive year performing at the event officially known as “The 4th Annual CPW Steel Pan Jamboree,” and the band’s fifth appearance in as many years. Indeed the New York-based orchestra’s performance has become a fixture and much-anticipated part of the event, and campus life.
click for more


Web Posted - Friday April 17, 2009
Recorder Online
Beating of drums -
a new kind of concert
 

Iowa, USA - Students at Elma Elementary Charter School are busy preparing for a Pans Concert to be held Monday, April 20 at 7 p.m. in the school gym. The public is invited to attend the free concert.

Second through sixth grade students are being directed by Mrs. Barb Holstrom and Mrs. Polly Jones. There will be 26 drums (pans) being played - two bass, two cello, three double seconds and three leads in the large pans and 16 pans in the key of C Major. There are 41 students participating in the required course.

click for more


Web Posted - Thursday April 16, 2009
When Steel Talks
Skiffle Bunch does Southland Proud winning
Pan In The 21st Century 2009
 

Trinidad -  Skiffle Bunch Steel Orchestra did the Southland in Trinidad proud on a beautiful April 15 evening when they performed Georgia On My Mind as their tune of choice for the ‘Pan In The 21st Century’ competition. The band retained the lead position gained coming out of the semis to capture first place. With 284 points, they beat out rivals and crowd pleaser Silver Stars (2009 Trinidad & Tobago Panorama champions) by one point for the top prize of TT $65,000.

Silver Stars was playing Bohemian Rhapsody by rock band Queen when they ceded the coveted top spot.
click for more


Web Posted - Wednesday April 15, 2009
When Steel Talks
Pan in The 21st Century
 

Listen to, and chat about - Pan In The 21st Century as it happens tonight Wednesday April 15 in Trinidad! http://whensteeltalks.ning.com/page/i955fm-in-trinidad . Show begins 8:00 p.m. EST


Web Posted - Wednesday April 15, 2009
When Steel Talks
Andy Narell and Relator
bring Jazz and Vintage Calypso together

New York - ‘University of Calypso’ the CD, with Panist Andy Narell and Calypsonian Lord Relator - is coming soon!  Release date is set for the third week in June 2009.  Also look out for the exclusive WST interview.
click for more


Web Posted - Tuesday April 14, 2009
Trinidad Guardian
Mixed views over Silver Stars song
Pan in the 21st Century...

Trinidad - Well played. That’s the public’s response to Silver Stars Steel Orchestra’s delivery of Bohemian Rhapsody on Friday’s installment of panyard judging for the Pan Trinbago staged, TSTT-sponsored Pan In the 21st Century competition. The 70s song, an original by British rock band Queen, was adapted for the band by resident arranger/leader Edwin Pouchet. But the sheer delight the band evoked among fans during its competition presentation before the panel of music adjudicators at its Tragarete Road, Newtown, Port-of-Spain headquarters, did not grip some onlookers.

They expressed scepticism over the band’s tune-of-choice. They were grumbling because “the band was again playing a classical selection” which is not allowed according to the rules governing the contest. “It’s not a classical song,” Pouchet said, smiling. “It is a classic.” A similar charge was levelled against Silver Stars back in 2007 when the band played Phantom of the Opera, taken from the music bible of Andrew Lloyd Webber. The band won the competition that year.

click for more


Web Posted - Tuesday April 14, 2009
Trinidad Guardian
Sweet sound of pan fills South
 

Trinidad - South Trinidad came alive with steelpan music on April 6 as seven conventional bands faced the judges for the Pan in the 21st Century event. The event, organised by Pan Trinbago and TSTT, saw large crowds of pan enthusiasts flocking to their favourite yard to hear their band of choice. First to perform for the judges around 6 pm were the members of the Pleasantville-based Kalomo Kings, which, under the leadership of Matthew Roach, performed Marvin Gaye’s popular hit, What’s Going On.

Panasonic Connection and the Old Tech Steel Orchestra were next on the judges’ stop and Panasonic’s leader Clyde Byron led his band through its performance of Morning Dance while Old Tech’s upbeat performance of Sean Paul and Keysha Cole’s Give It Up had heads nodding. Then it was off to NLCB Fonclaire’s Dottin Street, San Fernando panyard where Milton Austin and his pannists delivered a stellar performance of Evelyn King’s Shame. As a maxi taxi ferried the judges and other Pan Trinbago officials to the various judging points, many people opted to follow them in their own private vehicles so that they could judge for themselves which panside sounded the best.
click for more


Web Posted - Monday April 13, 2009
When Steel Talks
400 Questions & Answers On Pan
1960 — Present
 

New York - “400 Questions & Answers On Pan” is a rich resource that connects the threads between the history and accomplishments of the steelpan movement and its people.

Often, many of us wistfully wonder out loud “if only I had the time to” or “if someone only would or could do” this or that - all would be right in the world, or at least it would be a major contribution to wellness of man. Well, in the genre of the steelpan music instrument Ian Franklin put “ifs” aside, and has accomplished just that with his latest publication “400 Questions & Answers On Pan.”
click for more


Web Posted - Sunday April 12, 2009
The Jamaica Gleaner
David Aarons,
the complete pannist
 

Jamaica, W.I. - ....His interest in music turned to devotion when he discovered the steel pan and it continued to grow until February 2005, when he made a momentous decision - music would be his career. His life then began snowballing.

Aarons now has a first-class honours bachelor's degree in musical arts (the steel pan being his primary instrument) from the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; is an experienced performer, having played in several leading steel bands during the three years he lived in Trinidad as well as with steel bands in Jamaica; is now a lecturer in steel pan music at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts; and, additionally, makes and tunes pans for various steel bands in Jamaica.

He also composes music for the steel pan. His work, Likkle Dancehall Fugue in D Minor, was one of the more enjoyable items played at the UWI Panoridim Steel Orchestra at last month's recital, The Art of Steel, at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Performing Arts, UWI, Mona.
click for more


Web Posted - Sunday April 12, 2009
AfriClassical
Steel Band Performs Music of Eleanor Alberga, Leo Brouwer & Ludovic Lamothe in Jamaica
 

Jamaica, W.I. - Eleanor Alberga has established herself in the mainstream of British contemporary music and enjoys an international reputation as a composer. Her music has been performed by many leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, London Mozart Players and the Women’s Philharmonic of San Francisco, and worldwide performances include Australia, South America, Canada, Europe and China. She was the first composer to be commissioned for the inaugural Festival of Women in Music.

She was also invited to participate in the prestigious Composer to Composer Festival in Colorado, USA, and was a featured composer at the Vale of Glamorgan Festival. 2001 was a turning point, as she chose to give up her career as concert pianist and concentrate full-time on composition. She completed her violin concerto and was awarded a NESTA Fellowship. This major award enables Alberga to further develop and experiment with her compositional techniques and ideas.
click for more


Web Posted - Sunday April 12, 2009
Hudsonhubtimes.com
Classical, Caribbean
meet steel
 

Ohio, USA - Caribbean, jazz and classical music will mix this spring when The University of Akron Steel Drum Band performs April 18, 8 p.m., at E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., on the UA campus.

A big-screen "pan cam" -- a popular feature of the band's annual spring concerts -- will put the audience in the middle of the vibrant sights and sounds.

This year's guest artist is pan virtuoso Andy Narell, who has played and recorded with artists as diverse as Chucho Valdes, Bela Fleck, Toto, Nancy Wilson, David Rudder, Tito Puente, and the Kronos String Quartet. His compositions have been featured in the film The Firm and in such television shows as Designing Women and Going to Extremes, as well as in commercials for Apple computers, Sony, Porsche, and Southwest Bell.
click for more


Web Posted - Saturday April 11, 2009
T & T Review
Judging the Judges
Pan Community Speaks Out
 

Trinidad & Tobago - One of the practices that really irked me was the awarding of .5 of a point by some judges. As you will see, there are a few judges who, for no apparent reason awarded a band .5 of a point in a couple of areas. When I say that there was no reason for the .5 of a point I mean that there was no explanation or justification for the .5 of a point. In a number of cases the .5 occurred under the criterion of “Tone.” I had score sheets from seven bands in the large band category, and after separating the score sheets by a judge’s name, there was one judge who gave every band listened to 4.5 for “Blending of pans/Consistency” and 4.5 for “Rich quality of sound”.

Tone has always been part of the criteria for the judges to use when adjudicating Panorama, but for 1993, the description was modified. When judging that criterion, the intent was to have the judge listen to the overall tuning of a band, and unless the ear perceived some real bad tuning/blending, the band should get ten (10) points. So when these judges give a band 4.5 for “blending of pans/consistency”, and 4.5 for “rich quality of sound” I am baffled as to how they are able to discern that the tuning and/or blending of over a hundred instruments is off by .5 of a point. They cannot be human. Each large band has between 25 - 30 lead or tenor pans, and given the fact that each band had to have a maximum of 100 players for this year’s semis and finals, this leaves 70 - 75 players playing more than a single pan. So the real number of instruments in an orchestra is probably more like 250 - 300, and it is just impossible to ascertain that the tuning or blending of all these percussion instruments is off by .5 of a point.

Here are the actual score sheets of two judges who awarded 4.5 each under the overall heading of Tone and their comments from the semis. The score is on the left and their comments on the right. Some of the writing was not legible, and I solicited my friend to assist me with deciphering some of the handwriting. Whenever we were unsuccessful, the writing we could not understand is indicated by question marks (????)
click for more


Web Posted - Friday April 10, 2009
The Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Singer Ruby Wood and musician Noah Burton on UK tour
 

United Kingdom - Born to jazz-loving parents, Ruby’s early music experience was as a seven-year-old member of the North Stars Steel Orchestra in Huddersfield.

She played steel pan at the Notting Hill Carnival in London and went with the North Stars on a UK tour with jazz trombonist Dennis Rollins, taking in sellouts at Brecon and Cheltenham jazz festivals.

“We are just starting out as full-time musicians and in this credit crunch atmosphere, we are finding that many promoters are plying it safe by only booking established names,”said Ruby.

“So it is a real thrill to get this chance to play full houses with some top acts. We’ll learn a lot and have a great time.”
click for more


Web Posted - Friday April 10, 2009
Tobago News
Value of the steel pan
 

Tobago, W.I. - The scenario which yours truly is about to paint is applicable to every community in Trinidad and Tobago which has a steelband. One of our major cultural failures as an independent nation has been the lack of appreciation from the authorities to recognise the value of the steel pan instrument.

As thousands of other citizens I was fortunate to grow up in a community where the steel band is an integral part of community life. In the Calder Hall/Bagatelle/Fort King George area, there were a number of steel bands such as Symphony Stars, Elite, Rhythm Tigers, Our Boys and City Kids. However, it is Our Boys which has survived the test of time.

At present, this band stands a monument of success not so much in material achievement but more so in the contribution it has made to human development. Even though the band's founder Patrick Arnold is the long serving head of the national steel band movement and has instituted progressive measures to help the bands and individual pannists, it is work with Our Boys which may well turn out to be his greatest legacy.
click for more


Web Posted - Thursday April 9, 2009
The Mountain Times Online
Up to Scales
Steel drum act Jonathan Scales Fourchestra returns to Boone April 16
 

North Carolina, USA - Taking an authentic Caribbean instrument and turning it into a jazz instrument, Ashville-based Jonathan Scales of Jonathan Scales Fourchestra manipulates the sound of his steel drum, creating a distinct resonance that adds a refreshing vibe to the jazz scene.

His sound is a mixture of Bela Fleck with Harry Belafonte and a splash of Pat Metheny. Mimicking their biggest influence, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra managed to use the steel drum instead of the banjo as their forward instrument while leaning on guitar to provide the rhythm and chord progression.

“He (Bela Fleck) takes the banjo out of its normal settings and does cool stuff with it,” Scales said.
click for more


Web Posted - Thursday April 9, 2009
HighLite Vibes Chatter
Kim Loy Wong -
A Life in Pan
 

New York - Kim Loy Wong grew up on Observatory Street, in the heart of Port of Spain, Trinidad. His parents—Henry Nicholas Wong Wing, a shop owner, and Linda Prudhumme— had 13 children.

When he began to play pan in the late 1940s there were only two notes on the steelpan. The steelband in the neighborhood was Bar 20, located on Bart Street. Pops was the captain. Zigilee, Squibo and Bitter Man were some members. Kim Loy would watch them play but yearned to do so himself.

When the late Rudy King formed a steelband for young people called East Side Kids, Kim Loy would run away to play with the band, much to the chagrin of his father. “I got a lot of licks for playing pan,” offered Kim Loy. “My parents did not want me to be a part of that.”
click for more


Web Posted - Wednesday April 8, 2009
When Steel Talks
Steelpan Ace Shawn Thwaites
& wife Sabreen
combine Pan, Vocals
in Lebanese performances
 

Lebanon - Double second steelpan musician Shawn Thwaites and his wife vocalist Sabreen Thwaites have been away from US shores since December 2008.  The talented duo has been delighting audiences as they already have back home, but this time around while touring Lebanon.

Their main performances have been delivered in the cabaret-style setting of the “Music Hall” - one of the biggest and best known venues located in the center of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. Interestingly, Sabreen herself previously graced that stage back in 2008, but as part of the world famous Harlem Gospel Choir.  In celebration of Women’s month in March, the Thwaites also performed for the United States Ambassador to Lebanon, Michele J. Sison, at the US Embassy in Beirut.
click for more


Web Posted - Wednesday April 8, 2009
Trinidad Guardian
Japanese taking pan
to new heights
 

Trinidad, W.I. - The first time Japan-born Yoichi Watanabe visited Trinidad in 1990, he fell in love with the sweet melodious sounds of the steelpan. Since then, the foreigner has been working assiduously to help give our country’s national instrument the recognition it deserves. This year, Watanabe recorded the entire National Panorama competition with the hopes of showcasing it to his homeland and eventually, the rest of the world.

....“After I was introduced to pan, my whole perspective of music changed. I used to record mainly American music, like hip-hop, but when I heard the pan, I loved it,” he says, in a thick Japanese accent. While in Brooklyn, Watanabe also got a taste of Carnival. Describing the experience as a “culture shock,” a fascinated Watanabe devoted his life to learning more about Trinidad and the instrument made of steel.
click for more


Web Posted - Wednesday April 8, 2009
News-Sun
Sankar named
outstanding soloist
 

Florida - Gopaul Sankar, a sophomore at Walker Memorial Academy, was awarded an outstanding soloist trophy at the annual Music U.S.A. Festival at Universal Studio Orlando.

Only five soloists were singled out for this honor.

Sankar played the tenor steel drum at the music festival. At the academy, he has participated not only in the Fire 'n Steel Drum Band, but also the bell choir, concert choir, brass ensemble and is first chair trumpet player in the concert band.

Gopaul is the son of Kamaldai Sankar and Dr. Deo Sankar of Sebring.
click for more


Web Posted - Wednesday April 8, 2009
Telegraph.co.uk
Billy Ocean interview
 

United Kingdom - “....I’ve still played in my steel pan band at the Notting Hill Carnival every year, but among 60 other players where it’s nice not to be the star.”

Now the kids are all grown up, Ocean has built himself an idyllic studio in Grenada where his father was born. And it was here he recorded the new album “Because I Love You”. “I can sing overlooking the turquoise sea,” he says, “then go out for a swim and go into the village for a couple of pints of cold Guinness then go back to work.” Nice work if you can get it, I say. He laughs. “I hope you can hear the sunny, laid back mood on the record.” You can. Rippling with steel drums, beach beats and oozing with the synths and saxs, it will certainly warm the nostalgic hearts of those with a soft spot for 80s soul - for funk-tinged ballads in praise of “my lady”. “I just hope it makes people happy,” smiles Ocean, “That’s what it’s all about.”
click for more


Web Posted - Wednesday April 8, 2009
BYU NewsNet
Shake it up with percussion groups, piece by piece
 

Utah, USA - As opposed to the Percussion Ensemble, music majors only compose about half of the talent in Panoramic Steel. While it is necessary to have an ability to read music and understand rhythm to be in the group, it is not necessary to have any prior experience with steel drums.

Brough said that, contrary to popular belief, the steel drums didn’t come from Jamaica but from a nearby island called Trinidad, and the music the steel band plays is not reggae but a style called calypso.

Mike Center, a recent member of Panoramic Steel and a biology major, said most people think the music is laid-back and “island-y” but that they’re in for a surprise.

“I like how unique it is; it’s music you won’t hear anywhere else,” Center said. “It has a rich cultural background. It was played by a people who were in slavery and had nothing else to play but the steel drum. We get to keep this heritage alive through playing it.”
click for more


Web Posted -- Tuesday April 7, 2009
Trinidad Express
Dancing to his own beat
 

Trinidad, W.I. - Noel La Pierre was born to play pan. The child who grew up with the sound of steel ringing in his ears has forged a career out of doing what he loves best, he tells Nazma Muller.

When he was just four years old, Noel La Pierre was walking down Tragarete Road with his grandmother and his mother. As they came within earshot of the music being played in a panyard, the little boy took off. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him. When his granny and mother caught up with him in the panyard, he was behind a four-pan trying to beat out a tune. By the time he was 11, the boy was able to learn to play three songs on the tenor pan in one night at Invaders panyard. “This is all I ever wanted to do,” says La Pierre, now 45.
click for more


Web Posted - Tuesday April 7, 2009
The Berkeley Independent
Steel drums beat
in teacher’s heart
 

South Carolina, USA - The sounds of the Carribean Islands are thriving in the Berkeley County School District – and have been for some time.

People who have heard music teacher Linda Versprille’s students go through their paces on Trinidad Steel Pan drums – at Piccolo Spoleto, on television, and most recently, during African American Heritage Days at North Charleston’s Wannamaker Park – most likely enjoyed themselves, but may not have realized just how unique her program is.

Trinidad Steel Drums are not just a novelty of the islands, reminiscent of cruise ships and Jimmy Buffett concerts. In fact, steel drums are not just another genre, they’re an emerging musical technology; the steel drum is the only acoustic musical instrument to develop in the last 150 years, Versprille said.
click for more


Web Posted - Monday April 6, 2009
When Steel Talks
The Journey of Jamma & Trinidad Carnival 2009 featuring: Desperadoes - ‘The Finest Steel Orchestra in the world’
 

United Kingdom - The first time I saw Despers (the legendary Desperadoes Steel Orchestra hailing from Laventille in Trinidad), I was with my brother Norman in 1981. They were performing at the Birmingham Odeon, as part of their UK tour. The whole audience was transfixed; we were amazed with the standard and sound of the music. The famed pan musician Robert Greenidge gave a great performance with Taj Mahal. This was the first time I had seen a steelpan soloist in action. This performance changed my life. I knew there and then, that I would become a professional steelpan solo performer.
click for more


Web Posted - Monday April 6, 2009
Together We Flourish
Steel Band Festival Features Rolando Morales-Matos
 

Pennsylvania, USA - World-class percussionist Rolando Morales-Matos will be the featured artist at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center’s first Steel Band Festival this Monday, April 6.

...Five regional steel bands are to perform at the 7:30 p.m. show. Morales-Matos will be a featured soloist throughout, and will lead the bands in a grand finale performance of “St. Thomas.”
click for more


Web Posted - Sunday April 5, 2009
Trinidad Express
Pouchet, Silver Stars shock 'em playing 'Bohemian Rhapsody'
 

Trinidad, W.I.- Arranger Edwin Pouchet and National Panorama winner Silver Stars dared to be different as the preliminary round for the annual Pan in the 21st Century continued on Friday night with conventional bands in the northern region.

Pouchet shocked supporters and pan lovers alike with his arrangement of Rock band Queen's Hall of Fame classic "Bohemian Rhapsody".

If nothing else the song was different from everything heard in the history of the competition. Pouchet said it is time to start thinking outside of the box.

"If we continue with the same type of songs, R&B and Jazz, we will run out of songs to play," he said.
click for more


Web Posted - Saturday April 4, 2009
When Steel Talks
Mia Gormandy in Concert
Northern Illinois University Panist Shines
 

Illinois, USA - “The thing that has impressed me the most about Mia has been her personality. In addition to her talent and work ethic, she is a wonderful person to be around. When Mia first came to Northern Illinois University (NIU), she had already gained a growing reputation as one of the best up and coming young steelpan talents in Trinidad. Like any other young talent, she had a number of areas that needed development and I think that she recognized that from early and never got too caught up in the hype. Over the 4 years that she has been at NIU I have seen her skills as a musician grow drastically. She has demonstrated a great work ethic and has brought a lot of energy to the NIU Steelband.”
click for more


Web Posted - Saturday April 4, 2009
Trinidad Guardian
New factory to give splash of colour to steelpan
Pan innovator introduces
Kalypso Powder Koating
 

Trinidad, W.I. - A fuschia powder-coated steelpan looked resplendent in the Nelson Mandela Room of the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, yesterday. The steelpan was on display as part of the official launch of music expert Junior Howell’s Kalypso Powder Koating Colour Specialist factory in Laventille. Howell said the double tenor was invented years ago on the same spot where he opened his factory a week ago, at the Corner of William Street and Old St Joseph Road in Laventille.

Howell, president of the company, said he spent several years interacting with Joey Golliver of Powder-X Coating Systems in Nashville, Tennessee, to develop his new technique to add a splash of colour to steel pans and “to mix the visual and performing arts.” Howell said colour coating was the next stage of evolution in steelpan. “Colour does not affect the tone,” he stressed. He said, “Music is a language, language is modality of human behaviour. “The colour expresses that language.
click for more


Web Posted - Thursday April 2, 2009
Jamaica Gleaner
‘Art’ music from a steel band
 

Jamaica, W.I. - Think steel band music and you think calypso and soca. That's true of most people, most of the time.

But those two types of music are not the only ones that can be played by the instruments created, originally, from oil drums. In the right hands, the steel band may be a purveyor of "art music" - which is sometimes, and less accurately, called "classical" music or, more judgementally, as "serious" music.

On Sunday night, the instruments of the UWI Panoridim Steel Orchestra were definitely in the right hands, and the ensemble convincingly presented a recital titled The Art of Steel: Caribbean Composers, Caribbean Instrument, Caribbean Art, at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts, at Mona. The "art" in the title referred both to the type of music played, as well as the artistic photography which accompanied and complemented the music.
click for more


Web Posted - Thursday April 2, 2009
Clemson University Newroom
Percussion Ensemble, Steel Band to play world music
and TV theme songs
 

South Carolina, USA - Clemson University’s Percussion Ensemble and Steel Band will present a joint concert at 8 p.m. Friday, April 24, at the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts.

Under the direction of Paul Buyer, the free concert will have a distinct world-music flavor.

“We will perform pieces representing Brazil, West Africa, Ireland, Trinidad and Tobago, and America,” he said.

...The Clemson University Steel Band will open its half of the program with the calypso soca tune “Llava Tierra” and continue with “Summer Song,” a piece by Cliff Alexis. A steel band arrangement of “Jump in the Line” follows.

“It’s a fun arrangement that the audience will enjoy,” said Buyer.

The band will show its true colors when it plays “Orange… the Color.”

“How could we not play this one?” said Buyer.
click for more


Web Posted - Thursday April 2, 2009
Queens Chronicle
Paint, music and more
at Magnet HS
 

New York - Students at the Campus Magnet High Schools in Cambria Heights are brightening up the campus, filling the air with some good music and practicing the business skills that can help them become entrepreneurs in the future.

Members of the Paint Club in the Math, Science, Research and Technology High School, known as MAST H.S., were sprucing up the hallways one recent Saturday morning. Aided by Lisa Hamilton of the Public Color organization, students from MAST and other schools, as well as the Habitat for Humanity chapter at St. John’s University, have been painting after school and on weekends.

Meanwhile Kevin Thom and other members of the Steel Pan Band at Humanities and the Arts High School, have been practicing their sound on Saturday mornings. The players are led by Music Director Travis Roberts of CASYM, the Caribbean American Sports and Cultural Youth Movement
click for more


Web Posted - Thursday April 2, 2009
Trinidad Guardian
Despers for Summit opening
 

Trinidad, W.I. - As we move towards the Summit of the Americas, word is Witco Desperadoes, T&T premier steel Orchestra is expected to take centre-stage at the Opening Ceremony of the historic event. My spies tell me the Desperadoes are hard at work under the baton of Pat Bishop. The “Boys from the Hill,” the orchestra with the most national Panorama wins, and other history-making victories in the sphere of pan, will deliver some new music for the visiting leaders and their contingents. The Buzz hopes all safety procedures (OSHA) are in place, because Despers are known for bringing the house down.
click for more


Web Posted - Wednesday April 1, 2009
newsdurhamregion.com
Beating out peace
Pan Fantasy Steel Band plays at
Lester B. Pearson school
 

Ontario, Canada - In shamrock hats, sombreros and hockey jerseys, Lester B. Pearson students got into the beat of celebrating multiculturalism.

The Ajax school welcomed the Pan Fantasy Steel Band recently to help wrap up its cultural awareness and diversity campaign. Over the last two months, students participated in anti-racism education and inclusion initiatives, and recognized the school's commitment to multiculturalism.

"Today I'm just honoured to be here and share part of my culture with you," said band member Wendy Jones, her brown hair streaked with a large front section of blond. "I am from Trinidad, I was raised in Canada."

Part of her culture includes playing pan, something you can do no matter what colour you are, she said, standing in front of the stage of big steel pan drums.
click for more


Web Posted - Friday March 27, 2009
When Steel Talks

Click here for the show and complete Line Up... for 3.27.09
Email us at panradio@panonthenet.com



Web Posted -
When Steel Talks
When Steel Talks Steelband Music Message Board is Open
on the Ning Network

Some of the most important, controversial, thought-provoking and enlightening discussions on the steelpan instrument, music and culture worldwide, have taken place over the years on the When Steel Talks “Message board.”  Considered by many to be a lightening-rod for change in the steelpan music community, the WST message board  has provided a means unlike any for steelpan enthusiasts to share information and communicate ideas.

Windows MSN Groups has informed us that they are shutting down their groups service as of February 21, 2009.  You can now find the When Steel Talks Group at http://whensteeltalks.ning.com/forum 
We look forward to you joining us.



Web Posted -
When Steel Talks

When Steel Talks Now on facebook

Check out our Page and Group on Facebook

When Steel TalksWhen Steel Talks has set up a group on Facebook where we can post more steelpan pictures, videos and events. We would like to add you as a fan so you can expand your steelpan music experience. First, you need to join Facebook! Once you join, you can also create your own profile.

 

When Steel Talks

Here’s the link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/When-Steel-
Talks/22270666964


Last Month’s News - Click Here


 

Top Steelband Music Videos

When Steel Talks Video Channel

This Week’s New
WST Steelband Music Videos


RSS FEED
News Summaries

 


Pan World Share their Thoughts and Memories
on Clive Bradley

 Message Board * Guest Book * Blog



Join Us on facebook


 

Join Mailing List :  Receive the latest news from the steelpan world
Send us feedback: Let us know how we can improve the newsletter.
Unsubscribe: Click this link to be automatically unsubscribed from the newsletter mailing list.

Pan Trinidad * Message Board * Pan News * Pan Radio * Pan New York * Guest Book * Contact

© 2009  basement recordings, inc. all rights reserved

ANY REPRODUCTION, REPRINTING OR COPYING OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS, OR ANY OTHER MATERIAL - AUDIO, VISUAL OR TEXT - FROM THE BASEMENT RECORDINGS/WHEN STEEL TALKS/PANONTHENET WEBSITES, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE MANAGEMENT OF WHEN STEEL TALKS.

Search for Anything Steelpan Music Related

Google