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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.
When
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.
New York - Nine
New York Steel Orchestras are cracking up nightly as
they prepare for the biggest night on their annual
calendar - the Steelband Music Panorama competition,
scheduled this year for Saturday September 5, 2009
behind the Brooklyn Museum. Find out what they
are playing, and who is arranging!
click for more
United
Kingdom
- The British Association of Steelbands
celebrates their 32nd annual National Panorama ‘Champions of Steel’ competition
on Saturday 29th August 2009 in Hyde Park. This is the third year this
competition will be held in this iconic location. Eight steel orchestras with in
excess of 500 musicians who practiced for six to eight weeks will play thousands
of instruments to capture the coveted title of the ‘2009 Champions of Steel’.
The event will also be featured on BBC London 94.9 FM and on line at
www.bbc.co.uk/london
Web Posted -
Thursday August 27, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
CSI Steelband Trust
retains their CAPCA/BAS Junior
Panorama title
United
Kingdom.
- On Monday the 10th August 2009, the annual
CAPCA/BAS Carnival and Junior Panorama competitions transformed the Kensington
Memorial Park, St Marks Road, London W10 into a Carnival Village. The overcast
skies and spitting rain did not deter the festivities. The park was filled with
sweet strains of steelband music from the junior steelbands dotted around the
Park completing their final rehearsals before the competition. Nostalgia steel
band led by Lionel MacCalman accompanied the Carnival parade before the start of
the Junior Panorama competition. click for
more
Web Posted -
Wednesday August 26, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
Understanding the
Technology – Steelpan Tuning
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
- Pan Trinbago Inc. will be hosting a seminar
titled “Understanding the Technology – Pan Tuning “ at the Port of Spain City
Hall Auditorium, Knox Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad,
Presenters are Dr. Anthony Achong and Mr. Patrick
Arnold.
U.S. based Dr. Achong is one of Trinidad & Tobago’s pioneering pan scientists
conducting research on the steelpan for over 25 years. He has also published
extensively on the scientific aspects of the pan in local and international
journals. His goal is to put the science and technology of the steelpan on firm
ground. Dr. Achong is credited in working out a complete dynamical/acoustical
theory for the notes on the steelpan. He has received two local patents from his
work on pan.
Mr. Arnold, an experienced steelpan tuner who has worked extensively at home and
abroad, is the other resource panelist. click for
more
Web Posted -
Sunday August 23, 2009 by
Queen Macoomeh
De More We Are
Togedda
Caribana 2009, Las Part of de Court Case
Queen Macoomeh speaks on the unnecessary
abuse and difficulties encountered by
Accredited Press/Media while trying to cover
the 2009 Toronto Caribana. The Pan Alive
steelband panorama competition was severely
impacted.
Toronto, Canada - De ole people use to say
'plain talk, bad manners' an if dais de case, ah coming troo wid plenty bad
manners today.
Watch meh:
I reach in Lamport Stadium wid all my coutrements - camera, tripod, notebook, a
washrag to wipe my greazy face. You could see I come to wuk, not lime. My job is
to observe an document tings to help big up my community wedda here, abroad or
on de people internets. We tired see we face in de mainstream media wid some
foolishness ent? So de more we could promote we talents, de better we all will
be. Jump high, jump low, is we to ketch.
So why I getting boof? Why I have to stan insult from people who I suppose to be
wukkin wid? An is not me alone eh, all accredited media was getting boof hard. click
for de full
’tory
Web Posted -
Sunday August 23, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
Skiffle Bunch
Steelband Summer Camp attracts International
Students
San
Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
- “Do not beat the pan, it must be played.
There are two ways of playing the instrument – the right way and the wrong way.
Because you have to use both your hands, there must be a balance between your
both hands.” “Cleaning the pan is vital to the longevity of the instrument”. So
said Henry Hudson, Camp Coordinator at Skiffle Bunch Steelband’s Summer Camp
2009 edition at the Coffee Street Pan Theatre, San Fernando, Trinidad.
Hudson who has thirty (30) odd years playing pan
(since he was 7) in North and South Trinidad, and has been teaching the
instrument for the last fifteen (15) of those, was addressing one hundred-odd
youngsters who came to participate in the pan programme. click for
more
Web Posted -
Saturday August 22, 2009
Caribarena.com
Cabinet Congratulates
Young Pan Star on Scholarship Award
Antigua &
Barbuda, W.I.
- Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and the Cabinet of
Antigua and Barbuda on Friday congratulated 19 year old Steelpan Arranger Khan
Cordice on becoming the recipient of the Government’s Cultural Scholarship to
pursue
degree studies at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad.
Khan was invited by Prime Minister Spencer during the weekly session of Cabinet
to offer his congratulations of his Cabinet colleagues. “We are very proud of
you and your accomplishments over the years in the music fraternity and we are
confident that your studies will not only sharpen your skills but will enable
you to further develop the steelpan artform in Antigua and Barbuda in the years
to come,” said Prime Minister Spencer.
The Prime Minister also congratulated Khan on becoming the youngest Antiguan to
arrange a winning piece for the annual Panorama Championships. Khan’s
arrangement won the Hell’s Gate Steel Orchestra the coveted Panorama Championships
during the 2009 Carnival celebrations. click for
more
Web Posted -
Friday August 21, 2009
Trinidad Guardian
Steelpan, song and
spoken word equal Smile
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
- Support came in abundance last Saturday, as Asha
Sheppard presented Smile The Concert—an event aimed at raising funds for her
educational pursuits at the Herriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland.....
....A
two-hour
long
presentation
of steelpan
and song,
spoken-word
poetry and
even a
humourous
piece by
Asha
herself,
drew
applause.
The Trinity
All
Generation
School of
Music and
the Arts
(TAGS), was
well
represented
by both
their junior
and senior
steel
orchestras,
who
passionately
performed
Visit the
Moon and
Conga, among
other
popular
songs.
Steelpan
crackshot
Mia Gormandy
also
impressed
with her
rendition of
Flight of
the Bumble
Bee, while
the Bishop’s
choir,
beautifully
costumed,
belted out
traditional
songs that
left the
older
audience
members
wanting
more.
Sheppard
doubled as
poet and
steelpan
player with
the senior
TAGS group
during the
course of
the evening,
earning
herself loud
applause
when she
highlighted
the
importance
of looking
before you
sit, in a
poem
entitled,
The
Porcupine. click for
more
Web Posted -
Thursday August 20, 2009
The Witness
St Nicholas drummers
win national competition
Durban,
South Africa
- The St Nicholas Diocesan School Steel Drum Band
emerged victorious in two categories at the National Steel Drum Band
Competition, which was held in Durban last Thursday.
The competition is hosted by the Creative Arts Youth Festival and the school won
the Best Primary School Band, the Best High School Band Categories and the Best
Individual Performance.
“This school has had an incredible record there,” steel drum teacher Bryan
Clarke told The Witness. “The very first year that they were there they won it.
They’re known among the other schools as the school to beat.”
St Nicholas has won five out of its six appearances, says Clarke, who teaches
steel drums at various schools around the province.
....Mike Ford and Clarke have a “master plan” to one day incorporate a “massive,
300-strong” steel drum band with children from schools all over KZN to perform
at a big event.
“We’ve got enough steel drums in KZN to have 200 learners all playing at once,”
says Clarke.
“And then the plan is to add the 100-strong drumline.”
“I don’t know where we’d put them,” says Ford. “But we’ll find somewhere. Maybe
in front of the city hall.” click for
story and
video
Web Posted -
Wednesday August 19,
2009 by
When Steel Talks
New York Steelband
Panorama 2009 Preview Still no ‘Carlos Lezama Outdoor Theater’
or ‘Rudy King Performance Center’
New
York, USA
- In a couple of weeks one of the greatest
musical contests on the North American continent will commence. The New York
exposé of the annual steelband music competition branded as “Panorama” all over
the world, takes place on September 5th at the Brooklyn Museum Grounds. The New
York amalgamation of this Trinidad and Tobago (the steelpan birth place)
creation, is unique and full of artistic intrigue, drama and expectations -- not
to mention, politics. In addition, the event is tracked, followed and reviewed
by tens of thousands of music lovers all over the world. The panorama
enthusiasts can be fervent, passionate and emotionally tied to all aspects of
the occasion. click for
more
Web Posted -
Wednesday August 19, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
Siparia Deltones Star
in Toronto
Toronto, Canada
- Siparia Deltones’ first visit to Canada was
a resounding success and had a great impact on all events ranging from academics
to performances in which the steel orchestra participated. The two-month trip to
Canada by Siparia Deltones (the 2007 Panorama Small conventional orchestra
winner), was made possible by the Trinidad and Tobago Entertainment Company (T&T
Ent) as the organization aims to facilitate international exposure of local
entertainers.
Starting with Caribana’s gala opening ceremony and the band’s performance on
Toronto’s Citi-TV morning show “Breakfast Television”, a first for a local steel
orchestra, Siparia Deltones demonstrated its musical skills and versatility. click for
more
Web Posted -
Tuesday August 18, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
Harlem’s Day - Steel
Orchestra
helps Celebrate 35 Years CASYM plays at
Harlem Day’s
tribute to Michael Jackson
Harlem, USA
- One of the greatest and most fertile grounds
for the arts, literature and entertainment is that celebrated place in uptown
New York known as ‘Harlem.’ Its musical and artistic legacy is unparalleled.
Today was the 35th anniversary of Harlem Day, and the steelpan instrument
through CASYM Steel Orchestra was part of that commemoration of this rich
cultural history and tapestry.
This year’s event was particularly special in that
it was dedicated to the late great superstar Michael Jackson. The theme of the
celebration was “We are the World.” Tens of thousands of attendees poured over
the five-block zone that was transformed into a grand village of music, health
and living historical nuggets. click for
more
Web Posted -
Monday August 17, 2009 by
Queen Macoomeh
Queen Macoomeh
of Commess University Speaks on Pan Alive
2009
Pan Alive 2009 - Part Two of
de court case
Toronto, Canada
- De ting din start on time but dais awright. When Greenwich Mean Time was
setting de clock dey fugget to sen somebody to tell Caribbean people, so is not
we fault.
People does want to boof me about de fack dat I en have no music degree an I
cyah read music. An is troot. I only have a degree in Steupse. De judges have
plenty degree more dan me an could tell you bout sharp, flat, minor, major, doh-ray-me
an far-so-lah-tee. All I could tell you is if it song good to me or if it grater
on meh nerve. But is people like me who does play pan an is people like me who
does pay to come an hear pan. So I go take meh boof because nobody paying rent
fuh meh mout. click
for de full
’tory
Web Posted -
Friday August 14, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
Bach meets Bradley Concert
features Christian Lumsden
and Desperadoes
Steel orchestra
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
- Christian Lumsden performs the works of Johann Sebastian Bach,
while Desperadoes Steel Orchestra lays out the music of the late
steelband arranger Clive Bradley. The event unfolds at the
Tranquility Methodist Church, Tragarete Road in Port-of-Spain,
Trinidad on Saturday 15 August. click
for more
Web Posted -
Friday August 14, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
National Sinfonia
Orchestra to open 6th season of
performances with Grieg’s
Piano Concerto # 1 and Prizewinning works
from the “Symphony and Steel” competition
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
- The National Sinfonia Orchestra (NSO) will open its sixth season
of performances with Edvard Grieg’s ‘Piano Concerto No.1’ and
prize-winning works from the recent ‘Symphony and Steel’
competition. The upcoming concert, under the patronage of His
Excellency Professor George Maxwell Richards, will be held on Sunday
16th August, 2009, at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s, Trinidad, at 6 p.m.
The production, in collaboration with members of the National Steel
Symphony Orchestra (playing the "G" pans) will feature a mixture of
traditional favourites and new pieces. click
for full
story
Web Posted -
Wednesday August 12, 2009 by
Queen Macoomeh
Caribana 2009 - Part One
of
the Court Case
Toronto, Canada
- Yes ah say Caribana 2009. Every time ah try to say Scotiabank Caribana meh
teet does bite meh tongue. Ah cah get it do easy at all. Why? No disrespeck to
Scotiabank eh? Dem name bank an bank belong to de Gimme Gimme Gang. Dey doh make
profit by being sorf an lettin a golden goose get away. Expressly if de goose
take awf all he fedders, jump on a plate nex to some kuchila an rice, han de
bank a knife an fork an say “Look Meh!”
Is not me alone who feel so eh. Nuff people ah talk wid since we get buy out,
feel dat dis is not Scotiabank ting, is we ting dat we give away. Is like de
time a man put he wife on Ebay to sell she for 2 dollars. People make a bid oui.
But unlike dat man, we went troo wid de deal an get stick. click
for de full
’tory
Web Posted -
Wednesday August 12, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
Ebony Steelband Trust
Family
Day
United Kingdom
-
Ebony Steelband Trust held their annual
Blockorama and Family Day at the Westway Sports Centre in North Kensington,
London on Sunday the 9th August 2009 with another similar event to follow on
Sunday the 23rd August.
Ebony players certainly treated their family, friends and supporters to their
usual high quality and infectious steelband music that had them dancing in the
warm summer’s evening under the flyover. At times, football players who were
enjoying games on the many astro turfs in the vicinity could be seen performing
the occasional jig to Ebony’s music. click
for full
story
Web Posted -
Wednesday August 12, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
Engine Room featuring
Mangrove Steel and Brass Ensemble
United
Kingdom
- Carnival
Village
based at the
Tabernacle,
Powis
Square,
London W11
2AY,
England, an
iconic Grade
II listed
building in
the heart of
Notting
Hill, takes
on an
exciting and
historic new
lease of
life.
Stepping up
its status
as an
international
entertainment
venue, it
partners
with the Yaa
Asantewa
Centre in
the borough
of
Westminster.
The Engine
Room
Collective
has been
hosting
monthly
music
concerts
featuring
some of the
UK's top pan
musicians at
the Inn on
the Green,
Portobello
Green and
the
Tabernacle.
On the 9th
August 2009
the Engine
Room
Collective
featured
their first
UK
performance
of European
brass and
steel
ensemble
combined
featuring
Mangrove
Steelband.
It was
hosted by
Cutty
Williams.
The Engine
Room
featuring
Mangrove
Steel and
Brass is a
joint effort
by the
Engine Room
Collective
and Ducos.
Both parties
are hoping
to take this
musical
fusion to
another
level
ensuring
that many
more
performances
will be
featured.
Web Posted -
Tuesday August 11, 2009
Trinidad Newsday
Jewels on Steel
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
- Steelpan prodigy Mia Gormandy could easily have
been mistaken for a youngster playing dress-up in her mother’s evening gowns,
pretending to be the conductor of a steel orchestra. But nothing could have been
further from the truth last Friday night when this 20-year-old virtuoso produced
her first concert, “Jewels On Steel”, at Queen’s Hall.
....What a performance by this young woman who will
be 21 years old on August 27! Cordilia Thompson’s rendition of the National
Anthem was followed by Mia’s signature tune “Flight of the Bumble Bee”
accompanied by pianist Wayne Guerra. Her performance of Liam Teague’s four
segments of a “Visit To Hell” prompted presenter Jemma Jordon to remark after
the final segment “Escape From Hell”: “If Hell is like that why would we want to
escape?” Pianist Stuart Mindeman came from Chicago to accompany his friend on
Jon Bach’s “Steelpan Concerto”. Mia had won the keenly contested university
Concerto competition, against a plethora of musical instruments, making pan, for
the first time, one of the four winners which went on to perform with the NIU
Philharmonic Orchestra at their annual concert. click for
more
Web Posted -
Tuesday August 11, 2009
Breaking News
Central Pan Camp
starts off
on a positive note
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
- The Pan Camp hosted by the Culture Division of the
Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, in collaboration
with Tropical Angel Harps Steel Orchestra got underway yesterday as the official
launch of the camp took place at the band’s panyard in Enterprise, Chaguanas. At
the launch, Manager of Tropical Angel Harps, Clarry Benn joined with officials
of the Ministry in welcoming parents, well wishers and the 50 young persons who
were present to participate in an holistic programme of camp activities over the
next three weeks.
Camp Supervisor, Louis Chaevalier, said that 10 more
children were expected to join the camp by the end of the week. In his opening
remarks, Clarry Benn indicated that Tropical Angel Harps was much more that a
steelband; they are in fact a community group that wants to touch the lives of
people. Orvin Wilshire, brought greetings on behalf of the Ministry and shared
that the Ministry was quite pleased to be part of this initiative. click for
more
Web Posted -
Tuesday August 11, 2009
Trinidad Newsday
A priceless evening
of music
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
- The names of Dennis Phillip, Teddy Belgrave and a
few others who planted the seeds that matured into “Birdsong” on the UWI campus,
will live on in the memory of pan lovers.
On Saturday evening, the fifth anniversary of what was originally conceived as a
six-week programme, was an eye-opener for older panmen from the George Goddard
days.
....I recalled the rough-and-tumble days of the steelpan, the
trials and tribulations; people like Lennox Pierre, Albert Gomes, Audrey
Jeffers, Peter Farquhar, Neville Jules, Ellie Mannette, Anthony Williams, Vere
Greer – that old brigade. That period when we were in the trenches. Listening to
the polished performances by some of those youngsters had me choking with pride.
The steelpan has really come a long, very long way. click for
more
Web Posted -
Monday August 10, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
Pan Wonderland!
Sonatas turns Yard into Pan Village for
Grand Finalé Sonatas launch
completes the great steelband music weekend
as bands come out to play
New
York, USA
- This was the final leg of the great pan
weekend - Sonatas’ launch at D’Radoes Panyard. With two other highly successful
legs (Despers USA and Pantonic) to the three-day band launch-fest already in the
bag, Sonatas was left to write the final chapter on this weekend. And Sonatas -
now cast into the role of closer, stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam.
Outstanding!
A perfect event it was not - but it was very good and successful.
Moreover, it was by the pan people for pan people. click for
more
Web Posted -
Sunday August 9, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
Web Posted -
Sunday August 9, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
The House of
Champions
- CASYM, Sonatas, Despers USA, Pantonic
New
York, USA
- The New York middle leg or ‘day two’ of the
“great weekend of pan” was matched, held and sustained at the Pantonic launch.
Ironically or coincidentally, while it was not originally planned that way -
this launch could easily have been named the “launch of champions.” All four of
this event’s participants are past New York panorama champions. Moreover, among
active bands, these distinguished steelband music franchises cover every single
panorama win to date except one....
In spite of the late start, steelpan fans were treated to a classic show.
Anytime you bring the likes of CASYM, Sonatas, Despers USA and Pantonic
together, one is in for a memorable musical experience. These four organizations
represent the big guns of North American pan. click for
more
Web Posted -
Sunday August 9, 2009
Republic Bank Angel Harps
News
Coyaba New Dimensions
Win Grenada National Panorama
St. George’s, Grenada- Coyaba New Dimensions last night ended a five-year drought when
they won the 2009 Grenada National Panorama Championship at the National
Stadium. Playing "Pan Fever", a song composed and arranged by David Peck
Edwards, New Dimensions scored 268.5 points easily beating Food Fair/Suzuki Pan
Wizards and Republic Bank Angel Harps into second and third places respectively.
Only half a point seperated the second and third placed bands with Pan wizards
scoring 259.5 points and Angel Harps 259.
For Coyaba New Dimensions who last won the Panorama Chamionship in 2003, it was
their eighth Panorama Championship while for their arranger David Peck Edwards
it was his tenth panorama victory as an arranger, having previously won with
Carib City Newtones in 1986 and with Grenlec Rainbow City All Stars in 2000. click for
more
Web Posted -
Saturday August 8, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
The Sounds of the
Hill
Come to Brooklyn
- Steelpan Music in the Yard Despers USA
successfully launches
the great steelband music weekend
New
York, USA
- The New York leg of the “great weekend of
pan” took off with a bang. Despers USA’s Bedford Stuyvesant’s panyard aka ‘the
Pan Loft’ lit up the night under the overhead projection of a full moon that
illuminated their facilities as the organization’s launch for the steelband
music panorama season commenced.
The warm Summer night weather with an intermittent cool breeze, the jam-packed
panyard in the later hours - with throngs of die-hard steelpan music aficionados
- and of course the stellar pan music - were all there. The only thing
missing was that classic vista from the hills of Laventille looking out over the
capital of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and the Caribbean waters (the Gulf of Paria).
On this night, directly through the decades of sacrifice, steadfast and
unwavering efforts of Despers USA, we find ourselves in another distinguished
community treasured for great steelpan music, talent, tradition and high culture
- Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York. click for
more
Web Posted -
Friday August 7, 2009
Trinidad Guardian
Community before
party
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
- ....So, as I told Leroy Clarke, as we sat in
Michael Cooper's front yard, as it were, watching Sunday's Laventille pan parade
go by, when Louis latched on to the very real possibility of Despers (Despers!)
having to flee the hill because of entrenched criminality I knew I did not have
the cool to be a prime minister, I, in Mr Manning's place, agitating for a
battalion of soldiers to protect what I have always thought to be an unbreakable
connection.
I mean, is one thing if the band had collapsed because of internal in-fighting
or if a hurricane had washed them down from on high but to hear that one of the
prides of not only Laventille, but this whole goddam place, was being put out by
armed criminals would have been much too much for this Prime Minister:
"Not a damn man must go!'' I would have ordered, knowing that a Desperadoes
departure would not only be the fatal nail in the Laventille coffin but the
surest sign yet that for Trinidad and Tobago the apocalypse had come early with
the slithering snakes having been allowed to make a pit of T&T, so proud and so
hopeful 50 years ago when we set off on our own. click for
more
Web Posted -
Thursday August 6, 2009
The Barrie Examiner
Steel drum orchestra
bringing Caribbean feel to streets of Barrie Siparia
Deltones Steel Orchestra
in town until Aug.
25
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
- The steel pan sounds of Trinidad and Tobago are in
Barrie courtesy of the Caribbean Culture Institute and Carbifest until Aug. 25.
The Siparia Deltones Steel Orchestra, one of the leading steel pan groups in
Trinidad and Tobago, will be formally welcomed to the city in a ceremony at the
Barrie City Hall Rotunda, today at 1 p. m.
The steel pan is a unique instrument made from 55-gallon metal oil drums cut to
different depths, with the flat top divided into sections which are hammered and
tempered to give a wide range of notes when struck with the rubber end of a
wooden stick. click for
more
Web Posted
- Thursday August 6, 2009 Articlesbase.com
An Inimitable Caribbean
Invention – the Steel Drum
Global
- Who would have
thought that a musical instrument fashioned out
of an empty 55-gallon oil barrel could turn out
to be the source of such pleasant entertainment?
The steel drum (or steel pan) has become
practically synonymous with the Caribbean these
days and, often, people even refer to Caribbean
music, in general, simply as 'steel drum' music.
While percussive in nature, and
occasionally featured as a stand-alone
instrument, most frequently it is accompanied by
additional instrumentation, which provides a
rhythmic backdrop for the pan steel melodies.
Caribbean beats, such as Soca-Calypso and
Reggae, are the most commonly associated rhythms
and, indeed, these rhythms themselves ideally
compliment the tropical music experience that
the steel pan conveys.
read more
Web Posted -
Wednesday August 5, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
When Pan Ruled the Skies
Steelpan
photo of
the day.
BWIA,
the
former
national
airline
of
Trinidad
and
Tobago
once
sported
the
steelpan
instrument
as its
official
trademark.
Caribbean
Airlines,
BWIA’s
replacement
does not
use the
pan as
its
logo.
click to see
full-size picture
Web Posted -
Wednesday August 5, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
The Bradley Years: A Fine
Sampler from The BOSS
Global
- I don’t know how smart a move it was to request a
review of The Bradley Years CD by someone who, in the “Brados” composition a
couple of years ago wrote lines like, “Major force/You really was de boss” and
“Gifted for days/So deserving of praise”. Not much doubt, for sure, about where
this reviewer’s head is with respect to Clive Bradley’s abilities.
Be that as it may, I was constrained to recall, in listening to this recording
of Pantonic Steel Orchestra executing Bradley’s arrangements, something he
reportedly said some years ago regarding a competing band’s Panorama piece:
”They’re putting too much music in the music.” While it probably would have been
seen as a derisive comment, especially by the targeted arranger and his minions,
Bradley’s pithy summation at once spoke to what on the one hand has plagued many
a Panorama arrangement, and his own very lucid understanding of what such an
effort should entail. Bradley studiously resisted putting too much music in the
music. click for
more
Web Posted -
Wednesday August 5, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
President Richards and First
Lady host Panorama Winners
St.
Ann’s, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
- Panorama winners, finalists, members and officers
of the steelband fraternity were hosted by Their Excellencies, Professor George
Maxwell Richards and First Lady Dr. Jean Ramjohn-Richards, at President’s House,
St. Ann’s, recently.
The reception was in honor of the National Panorama Champions i.e. Silver Stars,
CLICO Sforzata, Arima Golden Symphony and La Horquetta Pan Groove.
Patrick Arnold, President of Pan Trinbago, in thanking Their Excellencies for
their hospitality for the third consecutive year stated that this gesture by the
Head of State was important especially for the young people.
click for more
Web Posted -
Wednesday August 5, 2009
Trinidad Guardian
Canada church group
praises soul of pan
Trinidad
& Tobago, W.I.
- A random visit to the panyard of four-time
National Panorama champion Harmonites Steel Orchestra, by a Canadian faith-based
group, led to a spontaneous steelband workshop and performance on July 18, that
caused the visitors to rejoice.
The venue was Harmonites’ headquarters, located at Churchill Roosevelt Highway
and Morvant Junction, where parishioners from the Centre Street Church in
Alberta, Canada, said to be the largest in Calgary, received a tasty pan treat,
which team leader Cliff Wiebe described as “fantastic!” Bandleader Shelford
Lawrence welcomed the visitors before pannists provided them with an
exhilarating, rudimentary pan education session and presentation. click for
more
Web Posted -
Tuesday August 4, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
Kadeem Alleyne in the
Spotlight
A Steelpan
man - and more...
New
York, USA
- Meet Kadeem Alleyne - this 19 year-old Berklee
College of Music student is perched to add his name to the growing list of
under-thirty steelpan musicians who have expanded their outlook and focus to
incorporate multiple aspects of the music performance and entertainment
industry.
He is one of a fresh and young group of devoted,
gifted, intelligent and forward-thinking steelpan musicians all over the globe
who have already begun to leave an indelible mark on the present and future of
the steelpan instrument, music genre and culture. While they all stand on the
shoulders of the magnificent accomplishments and great sacrifices of the pan
people of the past, make no mistake - they are charting and navigating a new
course with their own ideas, concepts and expectations. WST takes a look
at the path of Kadeem to this point in his journey. click for
more
Web Posted -
Monday August 3, 2009
Toronto Sun
Steel pan in
family’s blood
Taboo instrument big Caribana
hit
Toronto, Canada
- An instrument that was once considered taboo
in Trinidad and Tobago is what keeps three
generations of family together, says steel pan
player Rachel Wilson.
The steel pan was frowned upon in the country
because it had a reputation for being a favourite of
criminals, said Wilson, who played the instrument
during Scotiabank Caribana at Ontario Place
yesterday.
She said her father, Salah, used to have to sneak
around playing it with friends on the Caribbean
island back in the 1950s.
"You just knew you didn't want to be caught,"
Wilson, 33, said of the instrument. In 1973, her
father moved to Canada with plans to teach the beats
that originated with the recycled garbage can.
"Now it's played all over the world," Salah Wilson,
57, said. "It's part of our musical contribution to
the world.
"When I first came to Canada ... this is what I came
with, my wife and my steel pan," he said, "They are
both still with me." click for more
Web Posted -
Monday August 3, 2009
Trinidad Express
The lights of Laventille
Trinidad & Tobago
- It is the eve of yesterday' s steelband
festival street parade in Laventille, slated to have
started where McAlister Street meets the Eastern
Main Road and, as I write, I am hoping that this
local landmark event would be as incident-free as
the previous nine, my two-finger typing approach
stopped in its tracks by the thought:
"Yuh mean is ten years already!"
Indeed! Ten years in which, if I am to believe the
Laventille Steelband Foundation organisers (and,
why, pray should I not) the event has grown to
become "the largest steelband event outside of
Panorama," attracting steelbands "from the expanded
catchment area of Belmont, Gonzales, St Ann's, East
Port of Spain, Laventille, Morvant, Barataria and
San Juan". click for more
Web Posted -
Sunday August 2, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
Grenada 2009 Junior National Panorama Results
Grenada
- Commancheros Juniors win Junior Panorama Title click for
more
Web Posted -
Saturday August 1, 2009 by
When Steel Talks
Results from Pan Alive 2009
in Toronto, Canada Steelband Panorama
Salah’s
Steelpan Academy Wins
3rd Consecutive Steelband Music
Title!
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada
- Congratulations are in order for Salah’s Steelpan
Academy which won its third consecutive title at the
annual Pan Alive Competition held last night at the
Lamport Stadium. The Montreal-based steelpan music
organization edged out New Dimension Steel Band by
just three points. The record-setting third
consecutive Pan Alive title was the second ‘top
honor’ in 2009 for Salah’s Steelpan Academy which
also captured the Montreal 2009 Panorama title in
July. click for
more
Web Posted -
Saturday August 1, 2009
Observer News
Leader Of Pan
Champs Encourages Local Talent
Antigua
& Barbuda, W.I.
- One of the principals of the 2009 Panorama
Champions Hell’s Gate, Stafford Joseph is calling for more local involvement in
the art form.
“What is happening here, I’m not saying persons can’t come here and want to
play, but when you import players you’re telling me you don’t see the need to
train,” Joseph said. “We have responsibility to the youths, and I’m hoping that
the other bands realise it’s not all about winning but it’s to develop the art
form, to grow our bands and to expand it.”
Joseph is encouraging pan musicians to pass on their skills to the youth to keep
the legacy alive.
“We have to do that — (train) voluntarily, to look at the youths in the
communities and to mould them and bring them up in that way,” he said. “We have
to do that, otherwise we are going to lose the interest in our communities.”
Nineteen-year-old Khan Cordice became the youngest person ever to arrange a
winning Panorama piece Thursday night, when Hell’s Gate took the top prize and
Joseph said that this was made possible by their support of local talent. click for
more
Web Posted
-
When Steel Talks
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