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The latest CD from Ralph MacDonald is “Mixty
Motions.” It’s the masterful Ralph MacDonald
surrounded by fantastic musicians as well as
two new performances by the great duo, Ashford
and Simpson. As with previous Ralph MacDonald
releases, steelpan instruments played by Robert
Greenidge maintain a prominent role in defining
the attitude of the CD.
Click to hear sample
Nigeria -
When Bowie S. Bowei was admitted into the
Nigerian Military School in Zaria to accomplish
his secondary education in 1981 at age 11,
little did he know that he would be the one to
transform the music industry in the populous oil–endowed West African State.
As fate would have it, upon the completion of his
schooling, he was drafted into the Nigerian Army
Band Corps where he had a brief, but
inspirational encounter with the Army Steelband
which had just been formed. This too was short–lived as he had to fulfill training to become a
paratrooper in the Infantry. When this mission
was accomplished young Bowie made history by
becoming the youngest Nigerian Paratrooper at
the
tender age of 18. From there he gained admission
to the Defense Academy in pursuit of an
officer’s training course as a regular
combatant.
Web Posted
-
Friday May 9,
2008
Caribbean Net News
Steel pan revival planned in Guyana
GEORGETOWN,
Guyana (GINA): Guyana's
Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport
has acquired 32 pieces of steel pan
from Trinidad and Tobago, which will
be used to revive the local steel
band industry.
Today Minister of Culture Youth and
Sport Dr Frank Anthony said the pans
will be used for the upcoming
Independence celebrations on May 26
and in time for Carifesta X in
August.
The pans will form the nucleus of a
national steel band and this
intervention would kick-start the
local band to take its place in the
national cultural arena.
Steel band was a popular form of
entertainment for several years in
Guyana but went into decline. It is
hoped that this initiative will
bring it back to its former glory
and reach even greater heights.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry,
Keith Booker said the pans cost
approximately US$20,000 and are of
good quality and will be used in
conjunction with local pans for the
events.
Web Posted
-
Friday May 9,
2008
The West Humber Collegiate Music Department
The West Humber Collegiate Steel Bands
Ontario -
West Humber Collegiate has the largest steel band credit course in Canada, with over 200 pan students! Taught by Mr. Joe Cullen and Ms. Cindy Michalak, they have achieved a staggering 12 first place finishes at Kiwanis Music Festivals and the school has been awarded several scholarships for Excellence in Steel Orchestra. They are constantly in demand for their professional caliber performances.
WHCI has participated in music exchanges with Trinidad, Washington, Virginia, Ottawa, Niagara Falls, Ohio, and New York City!
(May 2008-NYC once again!)
WHCI steel bands were selected for the Martin Luther King Celebrations at Roy Thompson Hall and Hamilton Place since 2005, performing alongside JUNO-Award winners Jacksoul, In Essence, and Jully Black for audiences of close to 4000 people. .
Missouri -
In reality, it’s an empty steel drum
that once held 55 gallons of something — like
oil.
But in the hands of a craftsman like Kyle Cox,
that drum becomes an instrument as he draws the
metal into a bowl shape on the inside and molds
its surface to make musical note sounds. And the
music it makes is a lilting sound that takes the
listener to the Caribbean.
Cox has been making drums and teaching students
to play them for a few years now at Mineral Area
College. Saturday, the MAC Attack Pan Band will
be joined by the steel drum band from Farmington
High School, as well as some guest artists for a
concert at 7:30 p.m. in the MAC Fine Arts
Theater. The concert is free.
Breaking all the Rules with no Apology
- Flaunts International Appeal
Global -
One would believe that anything this good has got to
be simply ‘scandalous’ with a capital S. Internet radio program
featuring steelpan music is back with a vengeance. The long–awaited
return of “Cool
Steel” – anticipated for a few months now – has not
disappointed. If the truth be told the program is even better than
before. Hugging its trademark high–quality music productions and
ground–breaking music performances from all over the world, Cool Steel,
anchored by the inviting and knowledgeable on–air personality known to
us only as “Decy,” remains phenomenal. Simply awesome, great music
featuring fantastic musicianship from throughout the globe, Cool Steel
is not–so–quietly redefining the expectations and accepted norms for a
global music program featuring everything from soft rock to cool jazz.
Angel Harps to pay tribute to Clive Bradley in Panorama 2008
Grenada Steelband to feature My Friend Clive
Grenada -
Republic Bank Angel Harps Steel Orchestra will pay tribute
to outstanding musician and steelband arranger – the late Clive
Bradley – when they take the stage at this year’s Panorama
competition.
The band will be playing a piece entitled “My Friend Clive”
which is composed and arranged by ace Grenadian arranger
James Clarkson.
Clarkson says that “My Friend Clive” is all about a musical
journey that started in the early sixties in Port of Spain,
Trinidad when, as a teenager, he began working together with
Clive Bradley at the Penthouse night club.
Web Posted
-
Thursday May 1,
2008
When Steel Talks
Pan Man to be Honored in Cuba
Trinidad -
Pan Trinbago and one of its stalwarts have come in for high praise in
the promotion of the national instrument and the assimilation of the
“pan culture” in Cuba.
In an official communiqué sent to the Organization, Lic. Jude Carasquero,
Subgenerente y Vicerepresentante, Officina de Facilitation de Comercio e
Industria in thanking the pan body also extended an invitation from the
Cuban Cultural Ministry’s Agency to Comrade Fitzroy Henry to attend the
prestigious “Festival of the Caribe” celebrations in July where he will
be presented with an award.
Henry’s award is for his noble and notable work in promoting the
steelpan in Cuba and resulting in the development of arts and culture in
that country.
Web Posted
-
Thursday May 1,
2008
The Ellsworth American
Steel Yourselves!
Steel Drum Players from All Over the East Coast Head to
Blue Hill to Perform True Heavy Metal
Maine
-
Hugging the chilly Atlantic coast, Blue Hill lies 2,370 miles from
the warm Caribbean breezes of Trinidad, but the heart and soul of
the West Indies will blow into town this weekend.
The cultural juxtaposition will take place at the 18th edition of
the Pan New England Steelband Festival, a three-day event featuring
more than 300 steel drum players from across New England.
Hosted by Peninsula Pan, the festival will visit various area
venues, including the Reach Performing Arts Center in Deer Isle for
a highly anticipated performance by Steel Sensation.
Based in New York with strong ties to Trinidad, Steel Sensation is
one of the hottest and most highly respected pan ensembles playing
today.
Web Posted
-
Wednesday April 30,
2008
Trinidad Express
Ray Holman goes north to Alaska
Alaska
- Like a bright ray of sunshine, Ray Holman came to Fairbanks,
Alaska and led five local steel bands through a memorable program of
his compositions that drew a standing ovation from a large and very
appreciative audience. As he arrived, the weather broke and the snow
started to melt. As he rehearsed the various groups who would be
performing, and despite fears it would be a chilly reception in such
a cold place, he found everyone very cheerful and friendly, hungry
to hear pan.
Web Posted
-
Wenesday April 30,
2008
The Bay City Times
Bay City, Saginaw students delight in learning to play steel drums
Michigan
- Bay City may be a long way from the currents of the Caribbean, but
some talented local drummers are bringing a tropical air to the
Tri-Cities.
The Bay City Steelers, made
up of students from Bay City Central High
School, Handy Middle School and Saginaw's
Heritage High School, perform on steel drums
that were special-ordered from a Pittsburgh
company and bought with a donation from a Bay
City couple.
The Steelers will give their
first performance at 7 p.m. today at Central
High School, 1624 Columbus Ave., where the
Central jazz bands will also perform. On
Tuesday, they'll play a private party at the
State Theatre in downtown Bay City.
"There's nothing like this in
the Bay City area, let alone the east side of
the state," said Scott Brown, a music education
major at Alma College who directs the drum band.
Web Posted
-
Sunday April 28,
2008
When Steel Talks
Steelpan Music Instrument Sweeping USA High School and College Campuses
Cool Steel and Pan Radio Return as College Campus Favorites
USA
- From Maine through New York to Florida passing through Mississippi
to Texas on to California and up to Alaska, the steelpan music
instrument has found a home or niche on the campuses of America’s
middle schools and institutions of higher learning in astonishing
and profound manners. Indeed, steel orchestras supporting the full
complement of the steelpan family of instruments can even be found
in America’s heartland and Bible belt. Ohio, Chicago, Arizona and
all the other states of the union take the instrument and its music
very seriously.
Web Posted
-
Sunday April 28,
2008
When Steel Talks
Steelpan Music Instrument Sweeping USA High School and College Campuses
Cool Steel and Pan Radio Return as College Campus Favorites
USA
- From Maine through New York to Florida passing through Mississippi
to Texas on to California and up to Alaska, the steelpan music
instrument has found a home or niche on the campuses of America’s
middle schools and institutions of higher learning in astonishing
and profound manners. Indeed, steel orchestras supporting the full
complement of the steelpan family of instruments can even be found
in America’s heartland and Bible belt. Ohio, Chicago, Arizona and
all the other states of the union take the instrument and its music
very seriously.
Web Posted
-
Saturday April 27,
2008
When Steel Talks
Panache Steel Orchestra presents a Mothers’ Day treat
Antigua
-
What’s that symphony? Sounds like no other band
I recognize!
That’s the sound of Panache Steel Orchestra,
Antigua and Barbuda’s newest steel orchestra –
which prides itself on flawless execution, an
out-of-the-ordinary repertoire, and a discipline
with is sorely lacking on too many of today’s
musical bands.
Founded in the St. George’s community in on 4
March, 2007, Panache is driven by a small group
of pannists with a common passion and vision for
the steelband art form. Theirs is a deep-seated
commitment to the elevation of pan-playing to a
new height of excellence in Antigua and Barbuda.
Tobago organisers benefit from
‘jazz-less jazz’ Keino Swamber From Tobago
Trinidad
- One of
the biggest criticisms leveled against the
organizers of the Plymouth Jazz Festival is that
the "jazz" element is non-existent.
But this has seemed to work in favor of some
organizers and artistes, as several fringe
concerts, catering to jazz and contemporary jazz
purists, have sprung up across the island of
Tobago.
Making the observation at one of those concerts
on Thursday was pannist and arranger Darren
Sheppard who said, rather tongue-in-cheek, that
he wanted to thank Clico and the Plymouth Jazz
Festival Committee.
"Because they didn't have jazz it created the
opportunity for us to have jazz here tonight.
There are a whole lot of events happening all
over to keep Tobago alive," Sheppard said.
Web Posted
-
Saturday April 26,
2008
When Steel Talks
Trinidad coming with newly–invented pan instruments to CARIFESTA
Guyana
- Trinidad and Tobago, which
is home to the famous steel pan, intends to
amaze the CARIFESTA X audience during the August
festival in Guyana by showcasing some of its
newest pan instruments.
The twin island Republic will be represented by
a 300-member troupe that will be participating.
Among this group will be a 40-member team from
the island’s national steel symphony who will be
the main players of the newly invented
instruments referred to as “G-Pans.”
“G-Pans” has never been seen or heard outside of
Trinidad and Tobago and will be showcased for
the first time during Carifesta which will be
held during the period August 22 to 31.
The new pan group is expected to make its
inaugural appearance at the National Cultural
Centre on August 24 and will be accompanied by
dancers, stick-walkers and singers among other
artistes and performers.
Web Posted
-
Thursday April 24,
2008
When Steel Talks
The Business and Economics of Pan - Clark Atlanta University Symposium in Review
“Emergent
Business Enterprises: Steelbands in Educational,
Religious and Community Institutions”
Atlanta, Georgia -
They came from Boston and Amherst,
Massachusetts, in the north and Tallahassee in
the south, and as far away as Paris, France, and
Trinidad, the birthplace of the steelpan.
For
three days world-class pannists, scholars,
community activists, music educators and
students gathered on the Clark Atlanta
University campus in Atlanta, Georgia, under the
theme: “Emergent Business Enterprises:
Steelbands in Educational, Religious and
Community Institutions.” The April 17-19, 2008
event was hosted by the Clark Atlanta University
Economics Department in the School of Business
Administration, in conjunction with Clark’s
Department of Music and the Hugh Hodgson School
of Music at the University of Georgia. Dr. Ajamu
Nyomba, chair of the Economics Department and
founder of Pan People Steelband of Atlanta, was
the symposium principal convener. Dr. Carlton
Brown, Provost and Executive Vice President of
Clark Atlanta University, as well as Dr. Ed
Davis, Interim Dean of the School of Business
Administration, welcomed participants to the
campus.
Web Posted
-
Tuesday April 22,
2008
When Steel Talks
Liz Mannette
Designs “A Bold Pan Statement”
Barbara Sealy Rhoden
(BSR) interviews Liz Mannette, pan jewelry designer
Trinidad
- Born in Trinidad as cousin of the renowned
pan builder, Ellie Mannette, Liz has distinguished
herself as a pannist, tax attorney and parliamentarian.
She recently attended the Duty Free Trade Show for
the Americas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and shares
the experience, her keen knowledge of business and
a powerful vision for the future of the steelpan
art form and industry.
The fifth annual
"Gathering of the Pans" was held at National
Trail High School on Saturday, April 19.
"Pans" brings together steel drum programs and
enthusiasts from many different areas to present
a performance unlike any other.
Steel bands from National Trail and Eaton
performed, along with first-timers from
Granville, Ohio (which brought two different
bands) and Bowling Green State University, whose
steel band program is in its first year.
Also new to "Pans," and maybe the show-stealing
performance of the night, was a group from
Mississinawa Valley Middle School called Kuro
Taka, which had everything to do with drumming,
but nothing to do with steel.
New
Paris, Ohio - When National Trail sophomore
Nicki Howard entered sixth grade, she'd never heard
of the school's steel drum band. But Tuesday, it's
the group that will afford her special access to
the Ohio Statehouse. With 10 of her peers, she will
perform music for state legislators.
A tour of the building and an opportunity to watch
lawmakers in session will likely supplement the
concert.
"Just the fact that we get to do something special
like that makes us feel good about ourselves and
how we play," the 16-year-old said Sunday, whose
friends talked her into joining the group as soon
as she entered middle school.
The steel drum band, in which about 90 total students
in grades six through 12 participate, doubles as
a class. It's one of the few schools in Ohio that
offers steel drum in its curriculum.
Invitations for performances -- like the one from
Columbus -- are not unusual.
"We are actually known throughout the U.S. for our
programs that we have," said the group's director,
Marta Wetzel, who began the steel drum program nine
years ago when she moved to Preble County from Dayton.
Web Posted
-
Monday April 21,
2008
Trinidad Guardian
Manning: G-pan
will revolutionize Panorama
Trinidad
- Prime Minister Patrick Manning has put
the steelband fraternity on alert that the emergence
of the Genesis pan (G-pan) will have serious implications
on future Panorama competitions.
He said he anticipated that orchestras competing
in the Carnival event would no longer be required
to retain their present sizes since instruments
in the G-pan family offered greater musical volume.
Pan Trinbago is responsible for producing Panorama,
which is funded by the State. A large conventional
orchestra taking part in the competition has a ceiling
of 120 pannists, 90 for medium, and 60 for small
bands.
In Manning’s view, the need for a large complement
of pannists would soon be a thing of the past.
Web Posted
-
Monday April 21,
2008
Trinidad Guardian
Boogsie angry over no calypso at orchestra launch
Trinidad
- Celebrated pan arranger Len Boogsie Sharpe has
criticized as an embarrassment to local culture
the exclusion of calypso music from the
repertoire of the Government’s new National
Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) when it was
launched on Saturday night.
He expressed his dissatisfaction in a Guardian
interview at the event, held at Queen’s Hall, St
Ann’s, Port-of-Spain.
The launch took the form of a full-length
concert featuring the NSSO, under the musical
direction of Jessel Murray, exclusively on the
Genesis pan. There was also a guest performance
by the Festival Arts Chorale of the University
of the West Indies’ Centre for Creative and
Festival Arts.
Culture aficionados were aghast that there was
no calypso in the NSSO’s performance.
Web Posted
--
Sunday April 20,
2008 Trinidad
Newsday
Pan lover dies
at competition
Trinidad
- It was A night of tragedy for one of two pan-lovers
who went to Friday night’s Pan in the 21st Century
competition but died after collapsing backstage,
according to unconfirmed reports from Pan Trinbago.
Patrick Arnold, the President
of Pan Trinbago, the body that organized Friday’s
event yesterday said he had heard unconfirmed reports
that a woman, described as a “pan lover” had died
from a heart attack, but he did not have any more
information about the incident.
Web Posted
-
Saturday April 19,
2008
When Steel Talks
Katzenjammers
Win Pan in the 21st Century 2008
Trinidad
- Tobago’s Katzenjammers topped the finals in the
Conventional Band category with 276 points playing
Diana Ross’ “When You Tell Me You Love Me” beating
TCL Group Skiffle Bunch into second spot with 266
points.
Katzenjammers and eleven (11) other steel orchestras
competed in the TSTT Pan in the 21st Century category
finals on Friday 18th April 2008 at the Queen’s
Park Savannah, Port of Spain. Additionally
twelve (12) Single Pan Bands competed the Finals
titled “The Art of Pan lll.”
Marsicans took first place in
“Down Memory Lane” finals with a score of 264 points.
Web Posted
-
Saturday April 19,
2008
When Steel Talks
Japan's Panorama
Steelband Leads You Tube Video Pack
The
Panorama Steelband hailing from Japan leads all
others on the When Steel Talks (WST) You Tube video
channel with over 45,314 views. In the year
since WST established the steelband music video
channel the Panorama Steelband's performance has
been has been the most popular video on the site.
New York’s Pantonic Steel Orchestra and Trinidad's
Exodus are the second and third most watched videos
respectively.
Web Posted
-
Friday April 18,
2008
Brigham Young University Hawaii Syndicate content
‘Pan Man’ Ray
Holman inspires BYUH students
Hawaii
- By Leilani Miller |
A
weekend feast of history and
musical arts featuring Trinidadian
composer, arranger, and performer
Ray 'Soul of Pan' Holman [pictured
at left] enriched the BYU-Hawaii
stage this past weekend, entertaining
and educating audiences with
the sounds and songs of another
island culture.
As a native
of Trinidad, a small island
in the Caribbean off the coast
of Venezuela, "Holman is perhaps
the most talented proponent
of his art form internationally,"
said music professor Dr. Darren
Duerden, who introduced steel
pan percussion at BYU-Hawaii
and conducts the Shaka Steel
Band.
GEORGETOWN,
Guyana (GINA): Guyana's
Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport
has acquired 32 pieces of steel pan
from Trinidad and Tobago, which will
be used to revive the local steel
band industry.
Trinidad -
Pan Trinbago and one of its stalwarts have come in for high praise in
the promotion of the national instrument and the assimilation of the
“pan culture” in Cuba.
Maine
-
Hugging the chilly Atlantic coast, Blue Hill lies 2,370 miles from
the warm Caribbean breezes of Trinidad, but the heart and soul of
the West Indies will blow into town this weekend.
Alaska
- Like a bright ray of sunshine, Ray Holman came to Fairbanks,
Alaska and led five local steel bands through a memorable program of
his compositions that drew a standing ovation from a large and very
appreciative audience. As he arrived, the weather broke and the snow
started to melt. As he rehearsed the various groups who would be
performing, and despite fears it would be a chilly reception in such
a cold place, he found everyone very cheerful and friendly, hungry
to hear pan. 
Michigan
- Bay City may be a long way from the currents of the Caribbean, but
some talented local drummers are bringing a tropical air to the
Tri-Cities. 
USA
- From Maine through New York to Florida passing through Mississippi
to Texas on to California and up to Alaska, the steelpan music
instrument has found a home or niche on the campuses of America’s
middle schools and institutions of higher learning in astonishing
and profound manners. Indeed, steel orchestras supporting the full
complement of the steelpan family of instruments can even be found
in America’s heartland and Bible belt. Ohio, Chicago, Arizona and
all the other states of the union take the instrument and its music
very seriously. 
Antigua
-
What’s that symphony? Sounds like no other band
I recognize!
Trinidad
- One of
the biggest criticisms leveled against the
organizers of the Plymouth Jazz Festival is that
the "jazz" element is non-existent.
For
three days world-class pannists, scholars,
community activists, music educators and
students gathered on the Clark Atlanta
University campus in Atlanta, Georgia, under the
theme: “Emergent Business Enterprises:
Steelbands in Educational, Religious and
Community Institutions.” The April 17-19, 2008
event was hosted by the Clark Atlanta University
Economics Department in the School of Business
Administration, in conjunction with Clark’s
Department of Music and the Hugh Hodgson School
of Music at the University of Georgia. Dr. Ajamu
Nyomba, chair of the Economics Department and
founder of Pan People Steelband of Atlanta, was
the symposium principal convener. Dr. Carlton
Brown, Provost and Executive Vice President of
Clark Atlanta University, as well as Dr. Ed
Davis, Interim Dean of the School of Business
Administration, welcomed participants to the
campus.
Trinidad
- Born in Trinidad as cousin of the renowned
pan builder, Ellie Mannette, Liz has distinguished
herself as a pannist, tax attorney and parliamentarian.
She recently attended the Duty Free Trade Show for
the Americas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and shares
the experience, her keen knowledge of business and
a powerful vision for the future of the steelpan
art form and industry.
New
Paris, Ohio - When National Trail sophomore
Nicki Howard entered sixth grade, she'd never heard
of the school's steel drum band. But Tuesday, it's
the group that will afford her special access to
the Ohio Statehouse. With 10 of her peers, she will
perform music for state legislators.
Trinidad
- Celebrated pan arranger Len Boogsie Sharpe has
criticized as an embarrassment to local culture
the exclusion of calypso music from the
repertoire of the Government’s new National
Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) when it was
launched on Saturday night. 
Trinidad
- It was A night of tragedy for one of two pan-lovers
who went to Friday night’s Pan in the 21st Century
competition but died after collapsing backstage,
according to unconfirmed reports from Pan Trinbago.
A
weekend feast of history and
musical arts featuring Trinidadian
composer, arranger, and performer
Ray 'Soul of Pan' Holman [pictured
at left] enriched the BYU-Hawaii
stage this past weekend, entertaining
and educating audiences with
the sounds and songs of another
island culture.