|
An
Exclusive
Interview
-
WST
- The names
Binta AND
Zwena are
well known
in Tobago's
steelpan
circles.
Tell us
and the
global steelpan
community
about Binta
AND Zwena
Carrington?
We are
two of Tobago’s
young musical
geniuses.
We hail
from the
beautiful
serene village
of Cinnamon
Hill, Tobago
and we are
the third
(3rd)
and fourth
(4th)
of five
children.
Indeed,
we are two
of the lovely
daughters
of Lorris
Carrington
(father)
and Glen
Carrington
(mom, deceased)
and the
sisters
of Kalifa,
Ato and
Shani Carrington
(all musicians).
In fact,
we make
up the pan
duet “The
Carrington
Sisters.”
Binta
and
Zwena
Binta
- I have
been playing
the steel
pan for
the last
fourteen
(14) years.
During these
years, I
have performed
as a soloist,
one half
of a duo,
and band
member.
Additionally,
I have composed
and arranged
music. In
2004, my
arrangement
of Winston
“Shadow”
Bailey’s
“Whap! Cocoyea”
copped sixth
place in
the National
Junior Panorama
finals for
“Katzenjammers’
Kids.”
In 2005,
I arranged
on the road
for ‘Our
Boys Steel
Orchestra’
both Carnival
Monday and
Tuesday.
In the same
year, the
band performed
creditably
well, as
we captured
first place
in all five
competitions
that we
entered.
I placed
first
- in
the Caribbean
- for
the Caribbean
Examinations
Council
(CXC) Music
Exam with
the steelpan
as my instrument
of choice
in 2002.
Furthermore,
I have been
a tutor
for the
Pan in the
Class room
summer program
(Tobago)
in 2004
& 2005.
Currently,
I am a Medical
student
at the University
of the West
Indies (UWI)
Mona Campus,
Jamaica.
Zwena
- I have
been playing
the steel
pan for
the last
thirteen
(13) years.
During these
thirteen
incredible
years, I
have played
the double
second pan,
guitar pan,
six set
bass and
tenor pans.
As part
of the Katzenjammers
Steel Orchestra
stage side,
I represented
Tobago on
a road show
in 2004.
Thus, I
was privileged
to tour
England
and some
Scandinavian
countries
including:
Denmark,
Sweden,
Holland,
Norway and
Austria.
In 2009,
I arranged
for the
Carnival
competitions
on the road
for ‘Steel
Xplosion
Steel Orchestra.’
I have served
as the secretary
for Steel
Xplosion
from 2007
to 2009.
As part
of my drive
to contribute
to the musical
development
of youth
on the island,
I have been
conducting
music classes
in both
theory and
practical
(steelpan)
for young
people between
the ages
of five
(5) and
twenty (20).
I am currently
a teacher
of English
Language
and Literature
at a prominent
high school
in Tobago.
As the Carrington
duet, we
have performed
for many
prestigious
functions
on the island.
We are the
proud sponsors
of the “The
Binta and
Zwena Carrington
Challenge
trophy’,
one thousand
dollars
($1,000)
and a personal
trophy for
the “Best
Panist Award”
of the ‘Tobago’s
Children
Showcase
Competition.’
We are the
third place
winners
of the Tobago’s
Bakers
Scouting
for Talent
Competition
2004.
Finally,
as ace pianists
on the island,
we have
performed
with numerous
bands including:
Our
Boys Steel
Orchestra,
Buccooneers,
Katzenjammers,
Dem Boys
and
Steel Xplosion
Steel Orchestra
to name
a few.
We have
also performed
under the
musical
guidance
of many
renowned
arrangers
including:
Vernon ‘Sel’
Dennis,
Ken “Professor”
Philmore,
Emanuel
Ector,
Duvone Stewart,
Len “Boogsie”
Sharpe,
Auburn Wiltshire,
Clive Alexis,
Brian ‘Bean’
Griffith,
Sydney Joseph
and
Carlton
‘Zanda’
Alexander.
-
WST
- How did
you first
become introduced
to the steel
pan instrument?
Zwena
- It was
customary
for us to
visit our
brother,
Ato and
our grandmother
in Trinidad
during our
August vacation.
My brother,
being the
only male
in the family,
was exposed
to the steel
pan at a
very early
age and
was a member
of a small
pan side
in Mt. Lambert,
Trinidad.
One Saturday
evening,
the girls
in the family
decided
to accompany
him to one
of his practice
sessions.
It was the
first time
in our lives
that we
were in
such close
proximity
to a steel
pan. That
experience
was surreal!
Everything
that night
seemed magical.
Binta was
ten (10)
and I was
nine (9).
Seeing that
we were
accustomed
to the piano,
we understood
the concept
of notes,
timing and
scales.
However,
the way
the men
in the band
played and
the harmony
between
the different
voices of
the instruments
totally
mesmerized
us. We could
not imagine
that those
sticks and
drums made
such melodious
sounds.
At the end
of the practice
session
that night,
we bothered
our brother
to borrow
the tenor
pan that
he was practicing
on, and
we stayed
up the entire
night playing
and singing
to our favorite
songs.
That night
would be
etched in
our minds
forever.
When our
mom saw
what had
overwhelmed
us, she
granted
us permission
to attend
the practice
session
the following
night. For
the entire
Sunday afternoon,
we hummed
the songs
that we
heard the
previous
evening.
As it was
six o’clock
that Sunday
evening,
we rushed
out to the
practice
session
before our
brother;
with the
aim that
we would
ask the
captain
to teach
us a song.
We knew
that it
would be
special
because
there were
no other
females
in the band
and we would
be the only
ones practicing.
My sister,
Binta played
the guitar
pan and
I played
the cello
pan. What
fun, we
thought!
That fateful
night, we
strummed
the chords
to five
of the songs
that the
stage side
had on their
repertoire.
When the
August vacation
concluded,
we returned
to Tobago
and our
mom decided
that Binta
along with
our eldest
sister,
Kalifa,
would become
members
of a steelband.
Seeing that
Our
Boys Steel
Orchestra
was in close
proximity
to our house,
that was
the only
option they
had. Both
Kalifa and
Binta commenced
practice
in November
of 1996
and learnt
the Panorama
song for
the panorama
competition
the following
January.
When my
mom saw
what they
were able
to accomplish
in such
a short
space of
time, she
decided
that I would
start to
play the
following
year.
I began
to play
the guitar
pan with
Our
Boys Steel
Orchestra
in 1997,
under the
guidance
of Mr. Vernon
‘Sel’ Dennis
(deceased).
-
WST
- The steelpan
instrument
has a long
history
in Tobago.
What is
the reason
for its
continued
popularity?
Zwena
- Undoubtedly,
the steelpan
is the National
Instrument
of Trinidad
and Tobago.
In Tobago,
our aim
is to assist
in the preservation
of the instrument,
and transfer
the skills
to future
generations.
During the
year, bands
in Tobago
engage in
training
programs
for young
children
and enter
competitions
both locally
and nationally.
This continued
participation
in numerous
activities,
builds the
clientele
within the
bands. Therefore,
there are
numerous
bands on
the island
with a youthful
population
of approximately
sixty-five
percent
(65%) of
each band.
Additionally,
it has been
integrated
into the
curriculum
of many
schools.
This would
ensure the
continuity,
growth,
preservation
and popularity
of the instrument
on the island.
-
WST
- Pan has
exploded
globally
among women.
This is
also the
situation
in Tobago.
What is
your explanation
for the
phenomenon?
Binta
- In our
quest to
make use
of all our
potentials
as females
and to break
the ‘glass
ceiling’
that for
too long
has separated
us from
our male
counterparts,
we, the
female species
have become
very competitive.
Thus, women
are no longer
sitting
and endorsing
the statement
“It’s a
man’s world,”
we have
now carved
a new motto,
“It’s a
world for
ALL those
who make
use of the
countless
opportunities
that present
themselves.”
With the
dawn of
the twenty-first
century,
women have
been increasing
their popularity
in different
spheres.
We have
been breaking
barriers
in sports,
academics
and music.
Indisputably,
in the steelpan
industry,
this is
no different.
Women, though
we were
not the
inventors
of the instrument,
have used
our creativity,
discipline,
dedication
and diligence
to dominate
the steel
pan realm
in Tobago.
-
WST
- As female
panists,
did you
meet with
resistance
because
you wanted
to play
pan?
Zwena and
Binta
- No!
Even though
we started
to play
with
Our Boys
Steel Orchestra,
where sixty
five percent
(65%) of
the players
were females,
there was
no resistance
at all.
Fortunately,
we were
born in
an era,
where people
were no
longer ostracized
for their
involvement
in the steelpan
fraternity.
-
WST
- Both you
and your
sister dreamed
of careers
in music.
What changed
that?
Zwena and
Binta
- Growing
up, our
parents
exposed
us to every
activity
possible.
We played
piano, steel
pan, golf,
football,
story-telling,
we sang,
were involved
with drama
- any activity
you could
think of
- we did
it. However,
our parents
always instilled
in us that
Education
was of paramount
importance
to our survival.
So even
though we
excelled
in music
at early
ages, we
also excelled
in our academics.
For our
parents,
our ‘BOOKS’
were second
to God.
We always
excelled
in our academics
and we were
at the top
of our classes
in both
primary
and high
schools.
Sad to say,
though our
dreams of
having careers
in the Music
Industry
were like
diamonds
to us -
to our parents,
they were
illusions.
My mom sat
us down
one day
and told
us that
we have
the potential
to become
anything
we want
to in this
life.
However,
seeing that
we were
good at
music, it
was better
to get into
a field
that would
challenge
us.
She said
to us, that
if for some
strange
reason we
became tired
of our career
paths, then
it was possible
for us to
fall back
on Music.
Coming up
from the
system where
my parents
were taught
the importance
of an Education,
we totally
agreed with
their stance.
Binta
- (Laughingly)
So I decided
that I would
become a
‘Musical
Doctor.’
This meant
that after
becoming
a medical
doctor,
I would
use music
as therapy
in the healing
process
of my patients.
Zwena
- I never
really dreamt
of a career
in Music.
However,
I must say
I enjoy
the ‘adrenaline
rush’ that
goes with
the preparations
for a competition
and performances
on stage.
For me,
I always
dreamt of
a career
that would
allow me
to speak
and lecture
audiences.
Thus, at
an early
age I dreamt
of being
a lawyer
and/or a
politician.
-
WST
- Which
steelpan
instruments
do you each
play?
Binta
- I play
the tenor
pan.
Zwena
- I play
the double
second pans.
-
WST
-
Do you play
any other
instruments?
Binta
- I play
the piano
and drums.
Zwena
- I also
play the
piano.
-
WST
- Who were
your musical
influences?
Binta and
Zwena
- Early
in our musical
journey,
we admired
Mrs. Winifred
Joseph and
Mrs. Gwyneth
Armstrong
, our Music
teachers
in both
piano and
theory.
However,
when we
became a
part of
the steel
pan fraternity,
we have
always endeavored
to emulate
the styles
of Mr. Vernon
‘Sel’ Dennis,
Emanuel
Ector and
Auburn Wiltshire
in arranging;
Duvone Stewart
and Len
‘Boogsie’
Sharpe in
their pan
showmanship
and dexterity.
-
WST
- When you
are not
playing
pan, what
are your
interests?
Binta
and
Zwena
Binta
- I am seriously
involved
in patient
care and
management.
Hence, I
occupy most
of my time
in the continued
pursuits
of my medical
career in
various
hospitals
and health
care facilities
in Jamaica
(where I
am currently
a final
year Medical
student
at UWI Mona).
In addition,
I am an
avid footballer
and golfer,
and I serve
as a defender
on the UWI
Mona female
football
team.
Additionally,
I am the
captain
of my hall’s
(Mary Seacole
Hall, UWI,
Jamaica)
football
team.
Zwena
- I love
to travel;
as a result,
I make it
my duty
to travel
to a Caribbean
island every
year. I
am actively
involved
in many
youth groups
on the island.
One of these
includes
the ‘P.N.M.
Tobago East
Youth League’
where I
served as
the youth
speaker.
I do a lot
of public
speaking
and drama.
I also play
football
and golf.
As a teacher,
I am heavily
engaged
in youth-related
activities
and a lot
of community
work.
I partner
with the
St. Vincent
De Paul
Home for
the Aged,
Mason Hall,
Tobago by
providing
financial
assistance,
cooking
and caring
for the
elderly;
I have done
projects
with Happy
Haven (school
for disabled
children),
Tobago;
I also find
joy in cooking
for and
interacting
with the
homeless
people on
the streets
of Scarborough
every four
months.
Lastly,
as a form
teacher
and third
form year
coordinator
at my school,
I am overwhelmed
every time
I am able
to give
financial
assistance
to needy
students
or plan
and host
activities
for the
students
of my year
group including
our annual
Christmas
dinner.
-
WST
- Are there
many opportunities
for the
female panist
in Tobago?
Zwena
- There
are opportunities
for female
panists
in Tobago.
However,
these opportunities
may not
be as vast
as those
of our female
counterparts
in Trinidad.
Unfortunately,
though there
are opportunities
for panists
on the island,
these opportunities
aren’t sufficient.
Throughout
the course
of the year,
Tobago’s
panists
cannot boast
of participating
in many
competitions
that originated
in Tobago.
The implementation
of year-round
competitions
and activities
for pan
would auger
well in
growth and
preservation
of the instrument
on the island.
-
WST
-
Tobago has
always had
great bands
in the annual
Trinidad
& Tobago
Panorama,
but this
year it
all came
together.
Tobago had
a great
showing
in the 2010
competition.
What do
you attribute
that to?
Zwena
- For many
years Tobago
has been
short-changed
in many
competitions
nationally.
As a result,
the ‘Tobagonian’
whether
in music,
sports or
education
had to push
himself/herself
harder than
his or her
Trinidad
counterpart
in that
arena. Undoubtedly,
this has
been the
case for
Pan in Tobago.
I endorse
the adage
‘hard work
has its
rewards.’
Fortunately,
we have
been working
very hard,
and this
year it
paid off.
Additionally,
I must applaud
the managers
of Tobago’s
bands especially
Iran ‘Duce’
Anthony
(the manager
of the winner
in the 2010
medium band
finals)
for handling
their little
resources
very well.
Our managers
do a great
job in placing
emphasis
on maintaining
instruments
and keeping
players
motivated.
Most assuredly,
Tobago’s
bands focus
on an overall
package.
This year,
we combined
the ingredients
of discipline,
cooperation,
good sounding
instruments,
great arrangers,
diligence
and dedication
to ensure
our success.
With this
mix, success
is guaranteed.
It was evident
this year.
Binta
- In addition
to what
Zwena said,
I believe
that the
greatest
contributor
came from
the fact
that in
the past,
there was
one category
for conventional
bands, consequently,
Tobago’s
bands suffered
because
the bands
did not
have enough
players/power
to successfully
compete
with their
Trinidad
counterparts.
However,
with the
dawn of
the different
categories
for the
conventional
bands namely:
Small, Medium
and Large,
Tobago’s
bands were
able to
find their
niche.
This has
indeed been
a very progressive
step for
all of Tobago’s
orchestras.
The climb
to success
began gradually.
First, we
had one
band in
the Finals,
then two
and three
and this
year we
had five
bands [in
the Medium
category],
the most
ever.
-
WST
- Is this
theme expected
to continue
- where
some of
the best
bands will
come from
Tobago?
Binta and
Zwena
- Indeed!
Now that
we have
undoubtedly
leveled
the playing
field, and
ensured
that 2010
Panorama
was indeed
a national
one (five
bands from
Trinidad
and five
bands from
Tobago [in
the Medium
category)],
we would
work diligently
to ensure
that it
remains
this way
and that
all Tobago’s
bands perform
creditably
well. However,
to maintain
this costs
money. It
is costly
to maintain
the instruments,
but more
costly to
maintain
the players.
We hope
that with
the assured
intervention
from the
Tobago House
of Assembly
(T.H.A.)
and the
business
community,
ALL Tobago’s
bands would
be armed
with the
necessary
ammunition
to battle
our opponents.
-
WST
- This year
you played
and won
a championship
with Steel
Xplosion
in the medium
band panorama
competition.
How was
that experience?
Zwena
- That experience
was euphoric
for many
reasons.
-
It was
my second
time
performing
for
panorama
finals.
In 2008
we placed
second
and
we kept
on knocking.
In 2009,
we did
not
advance
to the
finals
and
as a
result,
we did
some
introspection,
the
necessary
reshuffling
and
gathered
our
ammunition
for
2010.
Undoubtedly,
this
year,
we had
a mix
that
captivated
the
judges.
-
I shared
this
victory
not
only
with
the
band
members,
but,
also
with
my little
sister,
Shani
who
has
also
been
playing
for
quite
awhile.
-
Creating
history
is a
great
feeling.
Being
a member
of the
first
band
from
Tobago
to win
a National
Panorama
competition
in Trinidad,
‘Que
alegria!’
-
We also
created
history
and
bridged
the
gap
in terms
of the
accepted
genres
of calypso
and/or
soca
that
can
enter
the
competition.
Yes!
We won
with
Radica,
a chutney
soca.
Lastly,
I felt
avenged.
I started
my panorama
season
mid-January
and
began
practicing
with
two
bands
on the
island.
I knew
that
learning
two
songs
would
not
have
been
a problem
for
us (my
little
sister
and
me)
and
that
we would
be accepted
in any
band
on the
island
because
of our
acclaimed
reputation
in the
industry.
After
practicing
with
two
bands,
I was
told
on the
day
of the
preliminaries,
from
the
management
of one
of the
bands
that
I would
not
be allowed
to play
because
of my
affiliation
with
another
band
and
because
I wore
another
band’s
jersey
from
a previous
panorama
season,
in that
band’s
pan
tent.
Indeed,
a very
retrogressive
step
in the
movement
in Tobago.
As a
result,
this
victory
spoke
for
me and
it silenced
many
persons.
-
WST
- If there
was one
thing either
you or your
sister could
change about
the steelband
art form,
what would
that be?
Zwena
- Firstly,
I would
change the
mindset
of ‘Trinbagonians’
to the instrument.
It should
no longer
be viewed
as that
“little
ole oil
drum” but
as a creation,
a musical
instrument,
a symbol
of Trinidad
and Tobago
and a mark
that we
should be
proud of.
Additionally,
there should
be a synergy
amongst
all ‘pan
manufacturers’
in ensuring
that there
is a ‘standardized
steelpan
product.’
Binta
- I agree,
in addition,
there must
be an improvement
in the attitude
(scant courtesy)
with which
amateur
panists
(who make
up the majority
of the steel
pan fraternity)
are treated.
Additionally,
I hope that
‘the powers
that be’
increase
their snail’s
pace in
creating
a stamp
on the instrument
that it
would be
globally
recognized
as an instrument
created
in Trinidad
and Tobago.
-
WST
- What is
next for
Binta AND
Zwena?
Binta
- I would
graduate
this year
with my
Medical
degree (MBBS)
from UWI,
Mona and
subsequently
return to
serve my
country.
In addition,
I would
rekindle
my flame
as a panist
in T&T and
assist in
the furtherance
of the steel
pan product
and fraternity.
Zwena
- Through
teaching
at school
and in my
private
classes,
I would
continue
to assist
in the development
of the most
important
resource-
the human
resource
on the island.
Furthermore,
I would
continue
to work
assiduously
in creating
a brand
name that
all of Tobago,
and Trinidad
and Tobago,
could boast
of and be
proud of.
A Celebration
of Women And
The Steelpan
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Their Story, Their Voice, Their Life,
Their Dreams -
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