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Web Posted - Thursday October 31, 2013
When Steel Talks

Antigua & Barbuda Independence School Steelband Panorama 2013 - RESULTS

Antigua Grammar School dethrones St. Joseph Academy, 3 in a row for Villa Primary

Antigua & Barbuda - Beautiful weather was the backdrop to the 2013 Antigua & Barbuda Annual School Panorama on October 30th in the country’s capital of St. John’s. The fair weather conditions were indeed welcome as in the past, steelband Panorama competitions had at times been adversely affected, making for hard slogging for pan players transporting instruments. So on this evening Antiguan and Barbudan steelband music lovers, proud parents and supporters turned out in very large numbers at the Yasco Sport complex to catch the performances of fourteen steel orchestras and revel in the sounds of steel, as the bands vied for the titles of pan champs in the primary and secondary schools categories.
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Web Posted - Thursday October 31, 2013
When Steel Talks

The passing of panman and Tripoli Steelband member Rudy “Indian” Bowen

New York, USA - Long-time panist and rhythm man Rudy “Indian” Bowen died of cancer on the night of Thursday October 24, 2013. “Indian” (Rudy) was an early member of Tripoli Steelband in the early 50s, then went on to England and played with various groups there, then traveled to New York and did the same.

He also worked for WIADCA (West Indian American Day Carnival Association) at the Brooklyn Museum for years.
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Web Posted - Wednesday October 30, 2013
When Steel Talks

Song for Panorama 2014

“Pan Hurricane”

sung by Tony Barclay
composed by Tony Barclay

Global - Tony Barclay is a veteran musician with a well-documented history in the music arena. For the 2014 steelband music panorama season, he has shared no less than three songs, including the one highlighted here, Pan Hurricane.

Barclay’s love for music continues as life goes on. He has a number of other Pan songs including  Pan Beethoven, Pan 5th Symphony, Jazz On Pan, Quicksilver and The Hills Coming Down.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Wednesday October 30, 2013
Trinidad Express Newspapers

AG: Patent for electronic pan to reside with UWI

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Percussive Harmonic Instrument (PHI) pan will now have a home with The University of the West Indies (UWI) in St Augustine, ending a battle for control of the patent and profits between its creators and the State.

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan yesterday announced an arbitration had been reached between the parties, and the patent for the new pan, which he said has astounding marketing potential, will reside with UWI, the professional home of Prof Brian Copeland, who spearheaded creation of the instrument.

Since July 2011, the State has been locked in battle with Copeland, chairman of the Steelpan Initiative Committee, and his associates over ownership of the new electronic pan.
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Web Posted - Wednesday October 30, 2013
When Steel Talks

Song for Panorama 2014

“The Hills Coming Down”

sung by Tony Barclay
composed by Tony Barclay

Global - ....Tony Barclay’s love for music is in evidence, and only grows as life goes on. He has a number of Pan songs: Pan Beethoven, Pan 5th Symphony, Jazz On Pan, Pan Hurricane, Quicksilver and many more.  Among his  offerings for 2014 is The Hills Coming Down celebrating the mighty Desperadoes Steel Orchestra.

Barclay began writing songs singing with Richard Hines, and Ian & Alan Stuart. He began performing at a local radio station, Radio Trinidad, on the “Auntie Kay” program and at the Calypso Revue Tent, where he met other artists.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Monday October 28, 2013
When Steel Talks

Fourteen Junior Steel Orchestras for Antigua & Barbuda’s 2013 School Panorama

Antigua & Barbuda - Fourteen steel orchestras - seven each from the country’s primary and secondary schools, respectively - take the stage on Wednesday 30 October for Antigua & Barbuda’s annual School Independence Panorama. The country marks its 32nd year of independence in 2013, and the national school panorama is just one of a myriad of activities spanning a two-week period from October 28–November 3.

The junior steel orchestras return once again to the Yasco Sport complex in St. John’s, the country’s capital, venue for the competition. Scheduled showtime is 7:00 p.m.
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Web Posted - Saturday October 26, 2013
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian

International Steelpan Jazz challenge today [10.27.2013]

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Today [Sunday], the Queen’s Royal College Foundation will stage as a key event of The Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan and Jazz Festival 2013, its third annual International Steelpan Jazz Challenge at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s. I am honoured to join my colleague, Dr Dawn Batson, as co-adjudicator for an expectedly successful celebration of arranging, improvisation and steelpan virtuosity. The Challenge—a competition geared to stage-side-format steelbands, with a maximum of 12 musicians—encourages bands to combine pans with brass, woodwind and/or additional percussion instruments. Ensembles choose from a pre-selected list of songs by native and Caribbean composers and arrange their selections while employing the techniques of re-harmonisation and spontaneous improvisation.
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Web Posted - Friday October 25, 2013
When Steel Talks

PDN PhotoPlus Expo 2013 - Blurred Lines - Sony Camcorders FDR-AX1 & PMW-Z100 and much more

New York, USA - Generally WST (When Steel Talks) attends the PhotoPlus Expo (this year, literally a week after taking in the AES (Audio Engineering Society) show) to bring the visual advancements in photo/video technologies to the attention of the thousands of members on the WST newsletter list and the thousands of others who are members of the WST forum. In the past we have covered everything from cameras to printers to hard drives to potential steelpan identification regalia - anything that could be critical in the covering, capturing, recording, marketing and promoting of the culture and artistic vibrancy of the steelpan fraternity globally.
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Web Posted - Friday October 25, 2013
When Steel Talks

A look at the Sony FDR-AX1 and PXW-Z100 video cameras - PhotoPlus 2013

Blurred Lines - New Tools and Concepts for the Panyard

New York, USA - New tools to capture pan performances. An interview with the project manager of the Sony AX1 and Z100 video cameras - Takahiro Kagawa of SONY Electronics speaks with When Steel Talks on highlights of these new video camera recorders.
watch video

Web Posted - Wednesday October 23, 2013
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‘Panman Pat’ McNeilly celebrated at T&T Consulate event

Toronto, Canada - For Patrick “Panman Pat” McNeilly, singing and playing to musical beats was more appealing that walking the beat.

After four years on the job as a Toronto Police Service constable assigned to 14 Division, McNeilly resigned in 1972 to pursue a cultural career.

The only steelpan player at the inaugural Caribbean Carnival in the city five years earlier, he introduced the musical instrument as a formal high school music credit in the Toronto District School Board, published Hands on Steelpan”: Teachers Guide and Student Companion to the Art of Playing Steelpan and adjudicated several Toronto District Catholic School Board music festivals.
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Web Posted - Tuesday October 22, 2013
Trinidad Express Newspapers

One for Bertie

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Bertie Marshall, steel pan innovator extraordinaire, was recently honoured by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and the Highlanders Steel Orchestra when they held a small ceremony for the official renaming of the Old St Joseph Road to the Bertie Marshall Boulevard.

Family, friends, pan enthusiasts, pan tuners and pan players flocked under a big white tent at the corner of Erica Street and the Bertie Marshall Boulevard, Success Village, Laventille on October 17 to pay tribute to the man, they say, where sweet sounds on the steelpan will continue to live on.

....Grand daughter, Damara Marshall, shared her heartfelt appreciation for those who loved her grandfather and shared his vision to see steelpan grow.
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Web Posted - Monday October 21, 2013
Trinidad Express Newspapers

Nurturing the future of pan

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Music was the language of celebration for the 84 Pan-in-Schools workshop participants who showed off their talents in a spectacular graduation ceremony held at the Queen’s Hall Auditorium recently in St Ann’s.

The event was a fitting culmination of the music workshops held during the July-August vacation period at venues across Trinidad and sister isle Tobago, which were conducted by the Pan-in-Schools Coordinating Council (PSCC) and sponsored by energy company bp Trinidad and Tobago.
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Web Posted - Monday October 21, 2013
TheQuestAcademy.org.uk

Quest Students Introduce Steel Pans to Courtwood

South Croydon, England, UK - Students in the Quest Academy’s steel band entertained pupils of Courtwood Primary School as part of celebrations for Black History Month. The Selsdon school’s steel band played a selection of popular tunes before allowing the primary pupils to try their hand at the steel pans and drum kit, assisted by band members.

The band, led by Mr Facey was made up of students Tara Nelson, Sian Clements, Darel Stone, David Obuamah, Sandra Danquah, Tilly Harris, Shakeil Rupan, Rhakeil Rupan and Jonathan Kiyanga.
click for original post

Web Posted - Monday October 21, 2013
When Steel Talks

What you never knew about calypsonian & Steelpan player, Lord Woodbine: The forgotten sixth Beatle

Lord Woodbine taught the Fab Four the blues– but was written out of pop history

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and James McGrath pay tribute

by James McGrath


 

Liverpool, United Kingdom - Born in Trinidad in 1928, Lord Woodbine’s real name was Harold Phillips. When only 14, he lied about his age and joined the RAF. After the war, he went back home and then retuned to England in 1948 on the famous SS Windrush, which carried the first boatful of hopeful West Indian immigrants to their motherland.

....Woodbine – who had hired the van – was in the photo with Allan and the band minus John [Lennon], who stayed in the van because he was a pacifist. The Trinidadian had been airbrushed out: “It really hurt me. Maybe the great Beatle publicity machine did not want any black man associated with their boys.”
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Web Posted - Monday October 21, 2013
When Steel Talks

Liverpool’s black community and the Beatles

Black Liverpudlian angles on the Beatles’ history

by James McGrath

Liverpool, United Kingdom - James McGrath submitted his PhD research on the work of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. In October 2009 he spoke on Upfront, a programme aired by BBC Radio Merseyside, about his findings on the Beatles’ various and often overlooked links with Liverpool’s black community in the years from 1958 to 1962. For a journal, the editors repeated the event, asking him the same questions from Upfront, while waiting for some more extended answers.
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Web Posted - Monday October 21, 2013
When Steel Talks

Codrington Pan Family tops Steel Orchestras in Pan Is Beautiful XII Prelims

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Topping the preliminary round, the Codrington Pan Family scored eight points more than their nearest rival Tropical Angel Harps, to emerge with the highest score at the weekend’s Orchestra Class in the National Steelband Music Festival ‘Pan is Beautiful XII’ series at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. Interestingly, the Codrington Pan Family triumphed in the Single Pan Band category in the previous festival, and made the move to the Orchestra category this time around.
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Web Posted - Saturday October 19, 2013
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Bertie Marshall Blvd unveiled

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Late steelpan pioneer and innovator Bertram “Bertie” Marshall received a great posthumous honour yesterday when the Old St Joseph Road in Success Village, Laventille was renamed “Bertie Marshall Boulevard”.

The road was unveiled yesterday during a ceremony attended by steelpan practitioners, calypsonians, Government officials and residents. Present at the event was Marshall’s wife, Annabelle, and other relatives. His granddaughter Damara Marshall said she was proud the memory of her grandfather was being honoured especially on the street where he spent “many happy and productive years”.

She noted he was a man of many talents who left a rich legacy, a steelpan innovator extraordinaire and recognised by both the local and international steelpan communities.

Marshall was the pan tuner, arranger and captain of Highlanders Steel Orchestra and many former and current members were present yesterday at the event.
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Web Posted - Friday October 18, 2013
Trinidad Express Newspapers

Pan tribute to Pat Bishop

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The late Pat Bishop, musical director of the Lydian Singers, will be remembered this weekend, as Republic Bank Exodus pays tribute to her at this year’s Steelband Music Festival, to be held at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah.

Before Bishop’s death, she had requested musical arranger, Pelham Goddard, to do a compilation of Maestro’s music for the festival, which at the time was scheduled to take place in 2011.

At the festival, bands will be required to play two selections: a Test Piece of Black Stalin’s “Mr Panmaker” and a tune of choice.
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Web Posted - Friday October 18, 2013
When Steel Talks

AES 135^th International Convention - Jimmy Jam Delivers Keynote Address - Tools and Knowledge for Capturing a Steel Orchestra, and more

New York, USA - The Audio Engineering Society (AES) is holding its annual convention at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. The four day-convention (October 17 to 20, 2013) provides access to seminars, workshops, conferences and exhibitions by the leading manufacturers and professionals in regard to all aspects of developing audio and recording technologies.

The opening keynote was delivered this morning by five-time Grammy Award winning producer, songwriter and musician Jimmy Jam (James Harris, III) one-half of the renowned partnership duo of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. His speech focused on his first-hand experiences on the impact of technology on the creative process.
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Web Posted - Friday October 18, 2013
Enjoy.Ohio.com

Summit Academy’s steel bands to drum up support at concert

Ohio, USA  - The Summit Academy has a problem.

The Akron middle and high school that addresses the social, emotional and academic needs of students with ADHD, autism spectrum disorders and related disorders has a Steel Band Program that just keeps growing.

The charter school’s three-year-old Steel Band Program, which started with a few sticks and plastic buckets in a lunchroom, has grown to encompass three bands. The bands are: the Summit Academy Steel Dragons, made up of middle-schoolers; the Summit Academy Steel Spartans, which consists of high-school students; and the All-Star Band, which draws from both schools.

But the program is having a difficult time keeping up with the number of students who want to join the All-Star Band.
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Web Posted - Thursday October 17, 2013
When Steel Talks

Song for Panorama 2014

“The Reason”

sung by Tony Barclay
composed by Tony Barclay

Global - Tony Barclay began writing songs singing with Richard Hines, and Ian & Alan Stuart. He began performing at a local radio station, Radio Trinidad, on the “Auntie Kay” program and at the Calypso Revue Tent, where he met other artists.

....Tony’s love for music continues as life goes on. He has a number of Pan songs: Pan Beethoven, Pan 5th Symphony, Jazz On Pan, Pan Hurricane, Quicksilver, The Hills Coming Down and many more.  His offering for 2014 is The Reason.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Thursday October 17, 2013
ThisisCornwall.co.uk

Steel sounds and tropical tastes

Cornwall, England, U.K. - Pictured above:  The Roseland Community College steel band Steel Roses performs at its Caribbean evening.

The soft sounds of steel pans filled The Roseland Community College as staff and pupils hosted a Caribbean evening.

The tropical-themed event, part of the Roseland Festival, was open to the wider community as well as pupils and their parents.
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Web Posted - Thursday October 17, 2013
Trinidad Express Newspapers

A ‘Royale’ night of pan

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars made a statement when they took the unbeaten path in their repertoire at Pan Royale last Saturday evening at the QRC Forecourt.

The band from Hell Yard (Duke Street) took the audience down a ‘Classical Jewels’ path that had them excited. With songs like “El Dorado”, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” and “This is the Moment” featuring world renowned tenor Eddie Cumberbatch who received a thunderous applause for his rendition. As if to push the envelope even further All Stars had Rahel Moore join Cumberbatch to do “Time to say Goodbye (Con te partiro)” as conducted by June Nathaniel. The duo received a standing ovation for their performance.
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Web Posted - Tuesday October 15, 2013
When Steel Talks

Weekend Spotlight on Steel Orchestras in Pan Is Beautiful XII

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - This weekend fourteen steel orchestras will be vying for eight places in the finals of the ‘Orchestra’ class of this year’s edition of the National Steelband Music Festival ‘Pan is Beautiful XII’ series. The event - Orchestra Preliminaries - which runs over a two-day period (Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October) will field seven steel orchestras on each day at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. Tickets for each evening’s performances are reasonably priced at TT $100.00.

Each orchestra will play the Test Piece, Leroy Calliste’s “Mr. Pan Maker,” along with a Tune of Choice.
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Web Posted - Tuesday October 15, 2013
St. Lucia News Online

Pantime Steel Orchestra to offer first-ever Pan Yard Tour to cruise ship passengers in St. Lucia

St. Lucia, W.I. - The Pantime Steel Orchestra has seized the opportunity to offer the first-ever Pan Yard Tour to cruise ship passengers in St. Lucia. It is indeed a unique opportunity for the reigning Junior and National Champions to introduce tourists to the history, art and melody of the steel pan, as part of an existing garden tour which starts at Stony Hill.

This tour is scheduled to commence in mid-October. Following the Stony Hill experience, patrons will be taken to the pan yard where they will be briefed on the development of steel pan as an instrument, shown how steel pans are made, will hear a wide range of pans being played and will be taught to play simple tunes.

In preparation for its inaugural tour, the Steel Orchestra identified eleven (11) unemployed young persons, who underwent an intense two-week training exercise, facilitated by the National Skills Development Centre (NSDC).
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Web Posted - Tuesday October 15, 2013
When Steel Talks

Old St. Joseph Road to be renamed in honor of late legendary steelband icon Bertie Marshall

Global - Highlanders Steel Orchestra is pleased to announce as a success, their efforts to have renamed - the ‘Old St. Joseph Road’ located in Success Village, Laventille, Trinidad – to: ‘Old St. Joseph Road / Bertie Marshall Boulevard.’

In recognition of Bertie Marshall’s contribution to the development of the steel pan, the national instrument of Trinidad & Tobago, the executive committee of Highlanders Steel Orchestra organised the Success Village Laventille community, and petitioned the government to recognise Marshall by renaming the Old St. Joseph road in his honour. Bertie Marshall is widely regarded, both nationally and internationally, as one of the greatest innovators and researchers of the steel pan.
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Web Posted - Tuesday October 15, 2013
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

Varied music, snazzy outfits at Pan Royale

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The musical repertoires were varied, as were the outfits worn by band members taking part in Pan Royale at Queen’s Royal College’s (QRC) courtyard on Saturday evening. The event kicked off the 2013 edition of the T&T Steelpan and Jazz Festival, hosted by the QRC Foundation, and featured concert performances by four of the country’s top steel orchestras—Witco Desperadoes, Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars, bpTT Renegades and Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove.

Sharing the opening half of the playbill, which started promptly at 7 pm, were Renegades and Desperadoes.
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Web Posted - Saturday October 12, 2013
South Florida News Service

Kings & Queens Steelband Panorama competition celebrates Caribbean heritage

Florida, USA - The sounds of steel pan rang and the flashing of sequins sparkled recently at the Kings & Queens Steelband Panorama competition.

The “steel pan” competition, or “Panorama,” hosted by Miami Broward Carnival, featured band members who hail from Miami and Fort Lauderdale to Haiti, St. Vincent, and Trinidad & Tobago.

The competition included the Lauderhill Steel Orchestra, New Generation Branches Steel Orchestra, Pantastic Steel and Silver Stars U.S.A.

Of the four bands that participated, Silver Stars U.S.A. won with flying colors.

“We won last year’s competition, and we’re trying to do the same again,” said Anthony Linley, Silver Stars’ band manager, before the winner was announced.
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Web Posted - Friday October 11, 2013
When Steel Talks

Song for Panorama 2014

“Pan Man”

sung by “Jackspania”
composed by Jathniel Thomas

Global - Jathniel Thomas, known by the moniker “Jackspania,” is an emerging calypso singer who hails from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Though he’s now establishing himself as a solo artist, he has written and produced many songs for many different artistes like Nap Hepburn among others.

....Thomas’ track Pan Man is a commentary on the history of pan and where it evolved from based on the negative connotation that it used to have, to the place of notoriety, and widespread popularity that it currently holds.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Friday October 11, 2013
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Pan Royale at QRC tomorrow

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The 12^th edition of the Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan and Jazz Festival gets underway tomorrow at the Queen’s Royal College Courtyard, Port-of-Spain with Pan Royale.

WITCO Desperadoes, Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars, bpTT Renegades and Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove will provide entertainment for patrons when the concert begins at 7 pm.

The Festival continues with the International Steelpan Jazz Challenge (The Challenge) which takes place on Sunday October 27 at Queen’s Hall.

Earlier this week, the organising committee for the Festival issued a release announcing that the qualifying round of the Challenge, which had originally been scheduled for this Sunday, had been cancelled due to unspecified “logistical and financial reasons.”
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Web Posted - Thursday October 10, 2013
Trinidad Express Newspapers

Codrington Family steals Pan show

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Nineteen-years-old pan prodigy Keisha Codrington (Codrington Pan Family) left the competition in her wake (including her older brother Khari) after the preliminary round of the soloist category in the Pan is Beautiful XII Music Festival.

Performing on opening night on Saturday at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Codrington’s rendition of Lord Kitchener’s “Pan in Harmony” blew the patrons away and earned the loudest applause on the night. Her performance also resonated with the judges who gave her 275 points, 11 more than her nearest rival.

It took almost 24 hours before the judges heard second place Joshhua Jabari Bedeau who performed on Sunday. His rendition of Vanessa Alexandra Headley’s composition “Call Me Hero” also drew the loudest applause on that day. Bedeau is a member of Golden Hands Steel Orchestra.
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Web Posted - Wednesday October 9, 2013
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

Big bands compete in steelband festival

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Republic Bank Exodus will be the first band on stage as the National Steelband Music Festival Pan Is Beautiful XII enters the Conventional Orchestra preliminary round. Fourteen steel orchestras are slated to compete over a period of two days, ie October 19-20, at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.

Each orchestra is required to play the test piece—Mr Pan Maker—composed by Dr Leroy (Black Stalin) Calliste and a piece of choice. The latter will not only test the skill of the player, but will also highlight the beauty and versatility of the national instrument.
read more

Web Posted - Monday October 7, 2013
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

Pan is truly beautiful

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard was at steelband music festivals events I have attended since childhood, dating back to the 50s.

Fast-forward to 1964 when the National Association of T&T Steelbandsmen (NATTS), forerunner to Pan Trinbago, held its first official festival at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s.

It was historic for many reasons, one being that it was the first time a Defence Force steel orchestra had participated in a steelband competition. That contest also saw NATTS fining registered bands which did not participate a penalty of the princely sum of $20 each. The eventual champions of the festival were soloist Ray Holman, playing Minuet in C, and West Side Symphony, playing Roses from the South.
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Web Posted - Monday October 7, 2013
When Steel Talks

Soloists and Ensembles move on to ‘Pan Is Beautiful XII’ finals

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Eight soloists and six ensembles have been chosen to move forward to the Grand Finals of the Trinidad & Tobago Steelband Music Festival of Pan is Beautiful XII at NAPA (National Academy of the Performing Arts), Port-of-Spain on Friday 8 November 2013.

The finalists were selected from among twenty-one and ten competitors in the respective solo and ensemble categories over the weekend of the Preliminaries at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain.
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Web Posted - Sunday October 6, 2013
When Steel Talks

Steelband Community celebrates the life of NY Pan icon Cyrus Busby

New York, USA - The New York steelpan music community turned out to pay respects to their fellow colleague and fraternity brother Cyrus Busby on the first Saturday in October. On this abnormally warm October afternoon, the filled-to-capacity Brooklyn funeral home could not hold the crowd that spilled outside the room where the memorial service was being held, and out on to the sidewalk. Moreover, it could not contain the obvious warm thoughts and memories of the New York pan icon.
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Web Posted - Sunday October 6, 2013
SpiceIslander.com

Grenadian talent on showcase in New York

Spice Isle Pan Rockers to perform

New York, USA - A group of veteran Grenadian panists will showcase their talent later this month at a Grenada event in Brooklyn, New York.

It’s a dinner, dance and awards’ ceremony that will be held on Saturday, October 12, at Grand Prospect Hall...

Among the featured performers at the will be Spice Isle Pan Rockers, whose debut public appearance was in August at a fundraising event of the Anglican High School Past Students’ Association.

Pan Rockers is comprised of Grenadian-Americans, many of whom are former members of Republic Bank Angel Harps Steel Orchestra.
read more

Web Posted - Friday October 4, 2013
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Steelband Music Festival begins this weekend

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband Music Festival – Pan Is Beautiful XII begins tomorrow with competition in the Soloists and Ensembles categories at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, and will continue on Sunday.

Competing are 15 soloists and six ensembles that will perform on Saturday October 5, while 13 soloists and five ensembles will have their turn on Sunday. Starting time on both days is 5 pm for the soloists and 6 pm for the ensembles.
read more, access order of appearance

Web Posted - Friday October 4, 2013
The Conway Daily Sun

Steel drum presentation at Conway Public Library Oct. 7

New Hampshire, USA - If you ever heard a steel band and wondered how those metal drums produced such a beautiful sound, or wondered how the instruments were played, come learn all about them this Monday night. Steel Dreams, the Mount Washington Valley community steel band, will be presenting a free program at The Conway Public Library on Monday, Oct. 7, at 6:30 p.m.

Eric Rollnick, director, will explain the fascinating history of the steel drums, the development of the steel band movement in New England and how everyone can take part.
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Web Posted - Thursday October 3, 2013
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

Pan! - T&T film history in the making

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Khara Persad
“Picture is up!”
“Quiet on set!”
“Ok guys, that’s a cut!”

The assistant director meant business when he warned potential noisemakers and extras to keep quiet on the set of Pan! A Modern Odyssey, as cast and crew shot a scene at Unity Church on Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, a few weeks ago.

....The 90-minute docudrama began filming on September 14 and wrapped 13 days later, using several locations throughout the country, including Santa Cruz, Belmont, and Laventille.

The film combines the history of pan—from its birth to Panorama to eventual national instrument status—with a fresh, fictional twist.

....Journalist turned scriptwriter, and brains behind it all Dr Kim Johnson explained that the audience will understand the main changes in the steelband movement through Goldteeth’s journey.

He said the movie had to be worthy of an international market, and a professional crew was therefore necessary to ensure a high-quality production. Enter producer Jean-Michel Gibert....
read more

Web Posted - Thursday October 3, 2013
When Steel Talks

Song for Panorama 2014

sung by “Dr. WillB”
composed by William Bannister

Global - Bounce Meh Nah,  the second song for consideration  in the WST Panorama enclave for the 2014 steelband Panorama season - is in, with many more to follow, one may be sure.

The witty composer William Bannister is also the artist, performing under the name “Dr. WillB.”

Bannister is no stranger to this arena, having come out with th Muster Point and People’s Choice in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Wednesday October 2, 2013
When Steel Talks

SMACK! Steelpan Insult or Not? - ‘Getting Panned in Trinidad’ - Jacob Edgar

Global - These are excerpts from an extensive blog by Jacob Edgar on Pan in Trinidad & Tobago. Depending on the perspective, even beginning with the very title “Panned in Trinidad” can be cause for pause – after all, ‘panned’ itself is a word which is oftentimes associated with unflattering critique.  Jacob Edgar’s blog paints a far less than positive picture of the steelpan instrument, the culture of pan and steelpan musicians of Trinidad & Tobago themselves, from our perspective.

....Maybe Jacob Edgar is not qualified for the task he has undertaken – at the very least when it comes to the steelpan art form.... Sadly, Jacob Edgar reminds us of some of the old National Geographic reporters who made us cringe.
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Web Posted - Tuesday October 1, 2013
HearGlobally.com

Getting Panned in Trinidad

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Given the choice between Chinese water torture and being forced to listen to a recording of steel drums I might lean towards the former. The steel drum, or steel pan or just “pan” as most Trinidadians call it, is one of the instruments that just doesn’t translate very well to recordings and it is best appreciated it in its natural setting: performed by an orchestra of hundreds on a hot, sweaty night in Trinidad, ideally during the annual Panorama competition and with a belly full of local rum.

....I also walked by the steel yard of the Renegades, an orchestra that competes every year in the Panorama competition. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it back to the yard later that night to attend their evening rehearsal, which I’ve heard is more of a social club. Much beer is imbibed, fights break out, and occasionally, the groups strikes up the metallic cacophony that is a true steel drum orchestra. Sounds just like my kind of scene!
read more

Web Posted - September, 2013
When Steel Talks

Get your headphones - and Just Listen!!

Panorama 2013 Panyard Recordings
by Basement Recordings

New York, USA - For this year 2013, Basement Recordings captured six of Brooklyn’s finest steel orchestras franchises as part of their annual panyard panorama music recording series. All the orchestras operated at very high level this year and were indeed deserving of having their musical performance captured and preserved for the historical, cultural and community archives.

....The steel orchestras recorded this year are Despers USA; Pantonic; CrossFire; D’Radoes; Sonatas and CASYM, the eventual 2013 Panorama champion.
click for more

Web Posted - September, 2013
When Steel Talks

Results - 2013 New York Panorama

New York, USA - Full results for the 2013 New York Panorama which took place at the back of the Brooklyn Museum are here.  CASYM Steel Orchestra, celebrating their 30^th anniversary this year, have also added the title of Panorama champions to their list of accomplishments. Pan Sonatas which placed fourth last year moved up two to second place, while D’Radoes  Steel Orchestra placed third for the third year running.  Pan Fantasy from Canada went away with fourth place.
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When Steel Talks

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Global  - Upcoming Steelpan music events from all over the world
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When Steel Talks

Complete RESULTS for the Trinidad & Tobago 2013 Panorama

Global - Full results for the Trinidad and Tobago 2013 Panorama are in. Steel Orchestras competed in the medium and large categories at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad last evening.  Both 2012 defending champions were dethroned.
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When Steel Talks - Special

Champion Panorama Tunes of Trinidad and Tobago

Global - A critical component to winning any panorama competition is the song the orchestras choose to use as the basis of their panorama arrangements. Over the years these songs have inspired classic panorama arrangements. When Steel Talks invites you to take a look at and listen to, these famed tunes which have played more than just a cursory part in the history of Pan, and the lives of the players and fans.
click to hear and/or view