London, United Kingdom - Monday the 7th May 2007, the UK’s May Bank Holiday, saw the Engine Room Collective continue to host their monthly music concerts featuring some of the UK’s young, gifted and aspiring pan musicians. The Inn on the Green, 3-5 Thorpe Close, Portobello Green, Notting Hill, London W10 5XL is the venue to be every first Monday of the month. Doors open 7.30 pm with the first performance at 8.30 pm.
Matthew Phillip on drums, celebrating his birthday
The Engine Room Collective on the night comprised of Michael Bailey and Kwadjo Amponsem on bass guitar, Ugo Del Mirani on keyboards, Ray Carless on sax, Bobby Stignac on percussion and Matthew Phillip on drums who was celebrating his birthday. They accompanied Brent Holder, former World Steelband Champion soloist, founder member of the Caribbean Steel International band and musical arranger for the Stardust Steel Orchestra gave an awesome, energetic and inspiring display of his musicianship. Supported by well known pan tuner, calypsonian, musical arranger, singer cum all round musician Michael ‘Bubbles’ Oliviere, and up-and-coming vocalist Yasmin James, the audience were treated to a evening showcasing the best of jazz, reggae, calypso and popular music.
Already there are whispers amongst the steel pan community that ‘the Abbey’, famous for hosting steelpan concerts in the 80s has been revived through the Engine Room Collective concerts and pan lovers can enjoy a wealth of steel pan music on a regular basis rather than seasonal concerts.
The driving force behind the Engine Room Collective is none other than the established musician, Matthew Phillip. Not content with managing one of Europe’s leading steel bands, working full time playing the circuits as a professional drummer, supporting and nurturing young musicians and singers, and looking after his young family, Matthew set up the Engine Room in 1998. In 2003, he secured funding from Arts Council London to set up Engine Room Records to afford musicians the opportunity to have their work recorded and published. In November 2005, he moved the studio to larger premises in Willesden, London NW10 and one year later started the Engine Room Collective sessions at Inn on the Green in West London.
Matthew has indicated that he has a few more new initiatives lined up that are designed to get pan music more recognised and that his efforts will continue far into the future.
Panists who have appeared at these concerts include Carlene Etienne, Justin Russell, Gary Moustache, Robert Clarke, Delphina ‘Panness’ James, Ryan Eastmond Cummings, Samuel Du Bois, Kyron Akal, Daniel Louis and Brent Holder.
Engine Room Collective Concert
For more information on the Engine Room
Collective, visit:
myspace.com/engineroomcollective
From the new desk of Robby Joseph:
panpodium.com
Leave your comment in the WST Forum
