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August 2009


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“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.

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What the Bands are Playing, and Who’s Arranging

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!
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NEW YORK PANYARD Locations


Web Posted -Friday August 28, 2009
by Pan Podium

The UK National Panorama Competition 2009

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 

click for more


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.
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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.
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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.
click for full story


Web Posted - Tuesday August 11, 2009
by When Steel Talks

New York Panorama 2009
Order of Appearance

 

New York, USA

Position Band
1 Despers USA
2 Sonatas
3 Crossfire
4 Pantonic
5 CASYM
6 Sesame Flyers
7 ADLIB
8 D'Radoes
9 Harmony

click for tunes & order


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

New Dimension Win Grenada Championship
 

Click for full results


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.
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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. 
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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.
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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."

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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".

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Web Posted - Sunday August 2, 2009
by When Steel Talks

Grenada 2009 Junior National Panorama Results
 

Grenada - Commancheros Juniors win Junior Panorama Title
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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.
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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.
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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

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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.

 

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