Champion Panorama Arrangers
Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband Panorama

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - They are the single most important contributor to the musical fortunes of a performing steel orchestra. It is a position that is not for the faint of heart or casual practitioner. Deep in tradition and tales of glory, these select men and women compete for a title that only a handful have ever been so honored to claim. When Steel Talks
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Web Posted - Friday May 31, 2019
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Guaico Presbyterian Steel Orchestra had to reschedule its flight from Friday to Monday because it has been unable to raise funds it needed for a Maryland trip.

The steel orchestra from Sangre Grande won first place at the National Schools' Panorama competition in the primary school category this year. It was invited by the Cultural Academy for Excellence, Inc. (CAFÉ) in Maryland to perform at the school graduation.

....Anna Noel, artistic director of the Guaico Presbyterian Steel Orchestra, said the school now needs $30,000 more to fly out.
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Web Posted - Thursday May 30, 2019
When Steel Talks

Global - A huge debate has begun to raise some eyebrows about whether or not Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber’s “I Don’t Care” was influenced by KES The Band’s 2019 carnival hit “Savannah Grass”.

The WST (When Steel Talks) forum has been buzzing with opinions from music scholars, fans and the like about similarities between the two songs. Some hear a closeness, others say it’s not even in the same ballpark.

You be the judge.
click to hear

Web Posted - Thursday May 30, 2019
Times Standard

California, USA - The Humboldt Botanical Garden Summer Music Series begins Sunday with a performance by the Pan Dulce Steel Orchestra.

This 16-piece band has been playing for local audiences for 20 years with traditional Calypso/Soca infused with jazz and World Beat styles.

Directors Kate and John Salazar started the band in 1999, inspired by their own experiences playing with 120-piece bands in Trinidad and Tobago. It was their dream to recreate the spirit of the panyard on the North Coast, teaching students in the traditional rote style of the Caribbean.

The garden opens at 10 a.m., and the music begins at 1 p.m.
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Web Posted - Wednesday May 29, 2019
Now Grenada

Grenada, W.I. - An interim committee for the Grenada Steel Band Association led by its Chairman Victor Ashby, former principal of the Grenada Boys Secondary School (GBSS), was officially presented to the public on Tuesday, 28 May after an embroilment which ensued within the organisation led to the resignation of Jason Skeete as its president in April 2019.

As a result, meetings were held with Minister for Culture Norland Cox together with managers and arrangers of the various steelbands to discuss the fate of the organisation going forward which remained without an active executive for a short period.

A decision was taken to appoint an interim committee that will steer the ship until elections are called in September 2019.
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Web Posted - Wednesday May 29, 2019
When Steel Talks

Global - Her passion for Pan is obviously without question. She developed a natural affinity for pan and music at a very early age. That love and passion has taken her to the heights of the arts and education. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, Dr. Mia Gormandy-Benjamin takes us on the journey from her beginnings, her current works, and envisioning of the future for pan.

On the future of the instrument in Trinidad & Tobago Gormandy-Benjamin feels Pan is going through a transformational period. “We are seeing... more of the younger generation coming up with way more skills to work, to function in the world of music.”

She is blazing new pathways for the instrument and music through technology, new music works for instrument, and exposure.  
watch interview

Web Posted - Tuesday May 28, 2019
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Duvone Stewart, who has led the BPTT Renegades Steel Orchestra to back-to-back national Panorama titles in 2018 and 2019, is looking forward to 2020, and going after the three-peat in Panorama wins.

He said: “It’s on the top of the agenda for Duvone Stewart....I know it is going to be an uphill task, but I am humble and focused. And I’m going to leave it in God’s hands. I have a good band, a good complement of players, a good staff that I work with in Renegades, a good sponsor to support me and I am going to give my all in trying to see if we can repeat as Panorama champions, 2020.”
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Web Posted - Tuesday May 28, 2019
When Steel Talks

New York, USA - With enough music magic being generated at the Frederick Loewe Theater to make Harry Potter and his mates jealous, NYU Steel proceeded to turn the capacity audience into life long “Pan Jumbies.”

A long time ago the legendary drummer Max Roach said that the steelpan is a magical instrument. And under the directive of Dr. Jonathan Haas and leadership of Josh Quillen the prestigious NYU percussion studies program continue to show why.

....Presenting something old, something modern, something new, something futuristic or even galactic (Mars, the Bringer of War), as we would soon learn from this year’s show - is the norm.
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Web Posted - Tuesday May 28, 2019
Offbeat Magazine

New Orleans, USA - As part of the exhibition “New Orleans Medley: Sounds of the City” – an exploration of New Orleans music hosted by The Historic New Orleans Collection – members of the U.S. Navy Steel Band are reuniting to perform, on Wednesday, June 5. A band of panists, musicians favoring the steelpan instrument which originated in Trinidad and Tobago, the U.S. Navy Steel Band performed over 20,000 concerts before disbanding in 1999.

Formed in 1957 by U.S. Navy Admiral Daniel V. Gallery (who was stationed in Puerto Rico at the time), the band helped popularize Caribbean music in America. After gaining success in the New Orleans music scene in 1973, the U.S. Navy Steel Band went on to obtain worldwide recognition.
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Web Posted - Sunday May 26, 2019
When Steel Talks

Meet Crystalann Timothy
Trinidad & Tobago

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “....when I get behind those drums I’m already in performance mode (I just love it). Organising is really my thing, I take pride in doing what I have to do and what needs to be done... Making it happen is my password! In a nutshell.”

A key part of her chosen mandate is to bring the legacy of Harmonites Steel Orchestra to life once more. And she has the belief, determination and grit to do just that. Crystalann Timothy bonded with the steelpan instrument and artform since childhood, and it completes her existence in tandem with her beloved family. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - the panist shares on her mindset and vision for Harmonites, the steelband artform, the place of women in it, and more.
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Web Posted - Friday May 24, 2019
When Steel Talks

Pan Trinbago Receives Cheque From WACKfm

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago’s President Beverly Ramsey-Moore received a cheque from WACK 90.1fm Chief Executive Officer Kenny Phillips, representing proceeds from the pay per view live stream of the National Panorama Medium & Large Finals, held at Carnival City, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, Trinidad, on Saturday March 2, 2019.

In making the presentation which took place on the afternoon of Thursday May 23 at Pan Trinbago’s Head Office in Port of Spain, Phillips said: “WACK (We Are Culture Krazy) fulfils a promise to Pan Trinbago for the pay per view streaming of the Panorama Finals 2019.
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Web Posted - Wednesday May 22, 2019
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago T.C. Inc. has been invited to visit the Cultural Academy for Excellence, Inc. (CAFÉ) in Maryland, U.S.A. from June 3 through June 10, 2019.

The invitation was extended by Ms. Lorna Green, CEO and Founder of the CAFÉ. Ms. Denise L.J. Hernandez, Secretary and Mr. Marcus Ash, Education Officer will be representing the organization.

....In the letter of invitation, CAFÉ noted that it is delighted with Pan Trinbago’s programmatic focus on support for the Nations youths. 
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Web Posted - Saturday May 18, 2019
When Steel Talks

Remembering the Quiet Queen of Pan - Glenda Gamory - A WST Reflective

Pan Community comes to celebrate the life of Glenda Gamory, President and founder of Pantonic Steel Orchestra

Brooklyn, New York, USA - On this late May 17 Spring evening, members of the New York steelband community and family and friends of Glenda Forde Gamory came out to pay their respects to this woman who, though petite in stature, had such a monumental impact on the global steelband artform and landscape.

Germany, France, UK, Japan - far and wide Glenda was known and respected. As she embraced all - all embraced her. She was an extremely caring person who built bridges and special relationships.
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Web Posted - Tuesday May 14, 2019
When Steel Talks

Meet Gay Magnus
Jamaica

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Jamaica, W.I. - “Don’t be afraid to do what you love. There will always be the percentage that has something negative to say about what you do, but once focus on yourself, focus on positivity and find ways to better yourself and others you will truly enjoy life/the steelpan.”

A focused, determined, disciplined and extremely talented musical director of UWI Panoridim, Gay Magnus brings it all to the table. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - the panist shares her love and unconcealed passion for the steelpan instrument, its music, the art form and more.
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Web Posted - Monday May 13, 2019
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The first in the series “Pan For The People” takes place on Saturday May 25, 2019 at the Cushe Government Primary School, Biche.

The steelpan concert is organized by the Eastern Region of Pan Trinbago under the chairmanship of Anthony Walker and his Executive.

Five steel orchestras from the region, Sangre Grande Cordettes, Curepe Scherzando, Arima Angel Harps and Moods, will entertain patrons. Host band, Augmented Groove, will also be in attendance.
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Web Posted - Wednesday May 9, 2019
When Steel Talks

Global - “When Steel Talks extends condolences to the family and friends of Glenda Gamory on her passing - May 9, 2019.”

“Glenda Gamory, as president of New York’s Pantonic Steel Orchestra was the first woman to lead a major orchestra to victory.”
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Web Posted - Wednesday May 9, 2019
When Steel Talks

Meet Rheanne Edwards-Babb
Trinidad & Tobago

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “The greatest challenge for this current generation is that there are too many distractions for them. Compared to when I started out, it’s a bit harder for this generation to stay focused with all the technology that exists. The onus is on them to use modern technology to enhance themselves and the artform and not make it a weakness.”

She is a life-long Skiffle Steel Orchestra panist who fell madly in love with the steelpan instrument, its music, the art form and more. The extremely talented Rheanne Edwards-Babb has gone from child to woman with the steelpan always at her side. Just take in her story and experience her journey.
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Web Posted - Friday May 3, 2019
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - While Point Fortin may be the smallest Borough in Trinidad, hometown heroes like visually impaired panist Michael Toussaint and former national footballer Reynold Carrington have the world taking notes.

The two men stood tall among 14 awardees at Tuesday night’s Civic Reception and Awards Ceremony hosted by the Point Fortin Borough Corporation in commemoration of the 39^th anniversary of becoming a borough.

At age 64 and with no vision, Toussaint, who was born in Fanny Village, now plays and manages the world’s only steel band for the blind and partially sighted.

The Urban Fox Orchestra ((UFO) Pilots in London, England plays professionally and is a hit in the annual Nottinghill Carnival. And while he has the fame overseas, he said nothing was more humbling than to be honoured by his hometown.

....The panist began his career at Starland Steel Orchestra is Techier Village at age five and moved on to the bigger Dunlop Tornadoes. After moving to London in his adult years and taking pan to the English, a medical error left him totally blind.
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Web Posted
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - At a glance and on a single page, access the comprehensive summary of results for the Small, Medium and Large conventional steel orchestras that participated in their respective categories in the 2019 Panorama.

Follow the musical journey of respective bands through all three phases - preliminaries, semi-finals and finals through data on band info, scores, tunes of choice and arrangers.
access full summary here

Web Posted
When Steel Talks

Global - Within the historical context, a look at the impact of American movies on the naming of early steelbands of Trinidad and Tobago.
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