Trinidad and Tobago Steelband Panorama and Carnival Schedule 2017

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Complete Trinidad and Tobago 2017 National Panorama competition schedule. All rounds - preliminary, semi-finals and finals.
see complete schedule

Web Posted - Friday October 28, 2016
When Steel Talks

Global - Joanne Foster was the 2013 Calypso Queen of Trinidad and Tobago - a title won singing ‘More Than An Oil Drum.’ Joanne first stepped into the entertainment spotlight in 1988 as a vibrant young teenager, immediately announcing her potential by being awarded ‘Best Soloist & Dancer’ at the San Fernando Arts Festival for Schools. The following year she placed second in the National Teen Talent Show.

In 2012 she made her debut in the ‘Pan Tune’ genre with an exciting tribute to Pan women everywhere called ‘Pan Woman Jammin’’.

Joanne returns for the 2017 Panorama season with this tune, The Magic.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Friday October 28, 2016
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian

 Pan Legend honored

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Although it’s long overdue, living steelband icon Anthony Williams was bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) from the University of the West Indies last Saturday, at the St Augustine Campus of the UWI.

The founder of North Stars Steel Orchestra of St. James, the band to win the first Panorama championship back in 1963, and the inventor of the Spider Web pan, Williams has been revered by colleagues and the public for more than half century for his innovations in the national instrument and his unique arrangements on pan.
read more

Web Posted - Friday October 28, 2016
When Steel Talks

Global - In 2013 Nicole Greaves was at the forefront on Hammer Time and My Sweet Tenor Man and in 2014 she was heard on Pan Scandal. In 2015 and 2016 she delivered Doh Leh Meh Go and The Spirits of The Past, respectively.

Nicole is back for the Panorama 2017 season with the track The Invitation, featured here.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Thursday October 27, 2016
When Steel Talks

Global - Kyle “K.Y.L.E.” Noel (pictured) who hails from the town of Siparia, Trinidad, has already made his debut in the entertainment arena. He accompanied the Central Bank Choir of Barbados at the Barbados Central Bank Auditorium under the auspices of the country’s Governor General. He played alongside panists like the great Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharp, Earl Rodney and Jason Baptiste and performed with most of the well-known steel orchestras in Trinidad. He also conducted workshops on Pan Techniques for primary and secondary schools.

....His offering for the 2017 Panorama season, ‘Hold Dat Panstick,’ is vocalized by Sheldon “Mocha” Martin.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Wednesday October 26, 2016
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

 Siblings win at San Fest

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Siblings Jeremy and Joella Granado, eight and 11 respectively, yesterday claimed first place in the Instrumental and Steelpan solo segments at the San Fernando Arts Council’s National Junior Arts Festival at the Creative Arts Centre in San Fernando. The duo impressed the judges with their outstanding performances and later said their victories were evident that “hard work pays off”. Jeremy, a Standard Two pupil of the San Fernando Boys’ RC Primary performed a piece titled, ‘Jeremy’s Drum Piece’ on the drums.

He outshone ten other competitors in his category.

Big sister Joella, a Standard Five student of St Gabriel’s Girls RC Primary School emerged on the top after she delivered the piece, ‘Hands of Lightning’ on the steelpan.

The audience thunderously applauded the performance at the end. The elated siblings were seen congratulating each other after the results were announced.
read more

Web Posted - Wednesday October 26, 2016
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

 Panman ‘Sacks’ passes

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The steelband fraternity lost another one of its stalwarts in Alfred ‘Sacks’ Mayers who passed away on Saturday October 22, at the age 82. According to a release from Pan Trinbago it stated that ‘Sacks” was a bamboo to pan veteran and was the first person to play a triple second tuned by Lincoln Delgardo Noel. It was also stated that the panman is credited with leading the first steelband to Guyana in the late 40’s.

“Sacks” was the leader of the Red Army Steelband in the late forties and together with Rudy “Two Left” Smith, later gave birth to the Merry Makers Steel band, one of the pioneer bands to perform in Switzerland and Sweden in the sixties and seventies. He eventually started Pandigenous and remained playing with bands up to the time of his passing. His pan playing skills saw him visiting many countries including Argentina, and locally, his musical talents took him throughout the length and breadth of the country...
read more

Web Posted - Monday October 24, 2016
The Franklin News Post

  Island sounds to fill the Harvester in Rocky Mount
Proceeds from concert go toward scholarships for FCHS students

Virginia, USA - The Parrot Pan, Toucan Steel Band and the Knock Knock Marimba Ensemble, along with jazz guitarist Bill Hoffman and the Calypso Island Horns, will have you smiling as you embark on an audio trip to the Caribbean on Sunday, Nov. 6.

Proceeds from the concert will support the SML Lions Scholarship Trust for Franklin County High School seniors.
read more

Web Posted - Monday October 24, 2016
Littlehampton Gazette

  Steel musicians set for world championship

Littlehampton, UK - Five steel musicians from Littlehampton are preparing for the performance of a lifetime.

Young players Marlowe McCaffrey, Pablo Barrios, Sam Chandler and Mica Allen are looking forward to the Panorama World Steelband Championships in February.

The will be going to Trinidad and Tobago to perform with the best steelbands and steelpan musicians in the world.

Joining them on the trip will be Lee Nelson, creative director at Sussex Steel and their steelpan tutor.
read more

Web Posted - Sunday October 23, 2016
When Steel Talks

 A Brooklyn J'Ouvert pic like no other before
Plotagraph Pro impresses at PhotoPlus Expo 2016

New York, USA -

A Brooklyn J'Ouvert image like no other before.
have a look...

Web Posted - Sunday October 23, 2016
The Valley Vanguard

Michigan, USA - On Saturday, Oct. 22, assistant professor of music education at SVSU (Saginaw Valley State University) Brandon Haskett gave a solo steel drum performance in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall.

The pieces performed included works from Robert Chapel and Johann Sebastian Bach.

Haskett, who has been teaching music at SVSU since the fall of 2011, performed for a intimate yet excitable crowd this past weekend, one of many steel drum performances that Haskett has provided over his long career.
read more

Web Posted - Friday October 21, 2016
When Steel Talks

 Carnival & Steelband Images, and Plotagraph Pro: A Perfect Match
Plotagraph Pro impresses at PhotoPlus Expo 2016

New York, USA - There are few events that are as vibrant, colorful, culturally transcending and historically relevant on a global scale, like the elements of Carnival (Costumes, Live Performances, Steelband & Music). Capturing these essential elements through still images has always been a critical and crucial aspect in preserving the showcasing of the storytelling and human components of those practicing these art forms.

And - our WST (When Steel Talks) pick of the ‘must-have’ on the technology list this year at the PhotoPlus Expo 2016 is the software Plotagraph Pro, without a doubt.

....The folks at Plotagraph have found a way to efficiently and successfully, bring animation to still images in a big way.
read more

Web Posted - Tuesday October 18, 2016
Green Bay Press-Gazzette 

 Steel pan, harp duo Pangelic plays Birch Creek benefit

Wisconsin, USA - The Pangelic Duo — steel pan drummer Liam Teague and harpist Faye Seeman — takes the stage for Birch Creek Music Performance Center's annual Fall Benefit gala concert Oct. 22. The concert includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, light desserts and a cash bar.

Teague and Seeman are longtime Birch Creek faculty members who together offer audiences a fresh blend of sounds rarely heard in the world of music. This unique duo steps outside conventional boundaries by playing original compositions, jazz standards and classics with improvisation arranged to complement each instrument.

Steel pan virtuoso Teague, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, is head of steel pan studies at Northern Illinois University as well as steel band director at Birch Creek. Called "the Paganini of the steel pan," he has played with symphony orchestras, percussion ensembles and other varied music groups around the world."
read more

Web Posted - Tuesday October 18, 2016
When Steel Talks

Global - Winston Scarborough aka “The Original DeFosto Himself” usually writes and records a few tracks each Panorama season, and 2017 is no different.  He has already released ‘Champions’ and is back here with another offering, called “Mystery Writer.”
listen to tune

Web Posted - Monday October 17, 2016
When Steel Talks

Global - Having played the steelpan at a much earlier age, Joel “LucratiV” Joseph is determined to represent his culture while incorporating, integrating and maintaining his own style while assisting in nourishing ‘the party atmosphere’ throughout each year including the carnival season. While ‘Keeping it 100’ with his creative and futuristic ideas, “LucratiV” hopes to create his own world through music in which his audience can inhabit, escaping the negative elements hindering their deserved happiness and enjoyment. His track for the 2017 Panorama and Carnival season “55 On 100” featured here, exemplifies into his vision.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Saturday October 15, 2016
When Steel Talks

Global - Edwin Ayoung or “Calypso Crazy” is one of the hardest working vocalists when Trinidad & Tobago’s annual Panorama and Carnival season rolls around.  This is his third feature, which he also co-wrote with Steve “GospelPan” Reid.

Making sweet pan music with the angels on high is the concept in this track, Pan Up There, which also showcases Earl Brooks, Sr. on pan.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Friday October 14, 2015
When Steel Talks

Global - Top vocalist Anslem Douglas is on course for another busy season for Panorama. He's been in studio already for We Are Conquerors.  Right on its heels, fans of Douglas can take in more of his talent during the 2017 Panorama on the track featured here,  Pan Kingdom.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Thursday October 13, 2016
Chicago Tribune

 Oak Park steel drum students show support for Cubs with music video

Chicago, USA - During what could be a magical season for the Chicago Cubs, the students of one Oak Park school are sending their support to the team through a music video.

Hatch Elementary School's steel drum band, which is made up of 80 fourth- and fifth-grade students, created their own "Go, Cubs, Go" music video to cheer the team on during the postseason.

....While not common amongst schools in Illinois, Jacobson founded the school's Conga Club five years ago. One year later, the group acquired some steel drums and was renamed the Steel Drum Band.

"I caught wind that there were some instruments that the school hadn't used in a while, and I kind of made it my business to start work on the steel band," Jacobson said. "We started out with six kids. We started using the steel drums in the music program, and the band started to grow."
read more

Web Posted - Wednesday October 12, 2016
When Steel Talks

Global - He is well-known within the steelband community for compositions such as I Is On Rock of Laventi, Prophet of Pan and Coye: Pan Religion, among others.

For the 2017 Panorama season “Tello” is back with National Panthem featured here.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Tuesday October 11, 2016
When Steel Talks

Global - Top vocalist Anslem Douglas lends his vocal talents to We Are Conquerors the track featured here, for the 2017 Panorama season. Last year music lovers were able to enjoy his work on Soca Have Dem So, Sweet Lime Energy and Nostalgia.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Monday October 10, 2016
When Steel Talks

Global - Sharlan Bailey, also known as the “Dreadwizard” has a 2017 offering for the Panorama and Carnival season titled ‘I Come Out To Fete.’ His first experience in music was learning the pan instrument as a child from his deceased brother Rudolph Dyer who was a committed pan man. He has never looked back since.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Saturday October 8, 2016
When Steel Talks

Global - Edwin Ayoung or “Calypso Crazy” as he is known to many is a prolific performer and composer, and can usually be heard on several tracks for any given Panorama and Carnival season.  2017 is turning out to be no different.

Here, Ayoung lends his unique vocals to - Gee Gee Ree.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Saturday October 8, 2016
When Steel Talks

Global - Winston Scarborough is considered by many to be one of the all-time great composers of steelband ‘Panorama tunes.’

A performer artist himself, 2017 will mark the 39^th year that Trinidad & Tobago’s Winston Scarborough (The Original DeFosto Himself - as he loves to be called) has been singing calypsos.

For the 2017 steelband Panorama season “DeFosto” is back with the track ‘Champions.’
listen to tune

Web Posted - Thursday October 6, 2016
When Steel Talks

   Meet Matthew Cox - Desperadoes Elder, Panist, Mas Designer & Percussionist - UpClose!

Global - In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, Desperadoes Steel Orchestra elder statesman, Matthew Cox, speaks on this legendary and world-renowned music organization from Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago.

In addition, Cox gives insight into the deep impact of the Desperadoes franchise on New York Pan and the world. Now, his mission is to bring Mas back, and as a result, the Carnival presentation component of the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra music organization, through Mas ‘on the road.’
read more, see interview

Web Posted - Sunday October 2, 2016
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Cordettes’ pan music legacy

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Cordettes Steel Orchestra may be an unsponsored outfit, but it remains an institution in the eastern district of Sangre Grande.

Established around 1962, the band has held its own as an ensemble, having made it to the finals of the medium conventional band category of the National Panorama competition on 15 occasions, its last appearance being in 2012 with the Philmore/ Loquan/Destra composition, “Vibes”, a piece arranged by Anders Kappel Ovre.

....Four years ago, the band joined forces with what was then known as the Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturalism (now the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts) to launch a “Music Schools In the Panyard” project.

The hugely successful initiative provided music literacy to young people in varying age groups and has produced over 200 graduates thus far.
read more

When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - All rounds - all categories at a glance... Large, Medium, Small, Junior and Single Pan Band.

Complete info and results for Trinidad and Tobago's Steelband Panorama 2016.  Check out the background story on some of your favorite steel orchestras and their arrangers, what selections they played, and more.
check results

Listen to a playlist of Trinidad and Tobago 2016 Soca tunes for Carnival.
listen to list

Web Posted
When Steel Talks

Upcoming

Global  - Upcoming Steelpan music events from all over the world
click to calendar

Web Posted
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