Welcome...

2006 marked the seventh anniversary of Pan Podium. Since its inception, the magazine and its website arduously promoted this wonderful instrument, its musicians, events and its continued progress in establishing itself in global music. In 2006, Russell Henderson MBE was yet another pan musician to be awarded this prestigious title and Ebony Steel Orchestra won their fifteenth panorama title ensuring that their world title is secure. Ebony, Phase 11 Pan Groove, The Defence Force, Pan Kultur and Nostalgia steel bands all performed at the FIFA World Cup finals in Germany capturing their global audience with the versatility of the steel pan and the dexterity of its players.

BAS Future Development Forum has organised two successful events, Pan Explosion and Carols on Steel with many more events planned for 2007.  The Caribbean Steel International band appeared on the EMMAS stage in Olbia, Sardinia. The first time a steel band has played at this event in its 17 years of existence, yet another ground-breaking feat for the instrument.

BAS’s initiative in setting up UK regional committees will ensure that all local voices are heard and issues addressed. Our annual Awards event is an important event in the UK community’s calendar and continues to set standards in its related Arts disciplines. Pan Podium magazine and website have also undergone development work in 2006 ensuring that BAS’s media machinery is both effective, efficient and continues to be a world leader with further enhancements planned in 2007.  Pan Podium continues to work closely with our global media partners to ensure that we are aspiring and achieving in unity.   Pan4Life.

Robbie J

CONTENTS● ● ●

• 3 Message from BAS Chairman
  BAS continued to identify and develop key strategies to further promote steel band music and culture not only throughout the UK but also, in partnership with key strategic partners, worldwide...

• 4 Contents

• 7 London Jouvert
  infectious steel band music that broke the pre-dawn tranquility.

• 8 BAS Pan Explosion 2K6
  encouraging young pannists to compose, arrange and play musical pieces on the steel pan.

• 10 North Tyneside Busking Tour
  their longest busking tour of the UK yet!

• 12 The Rise of East Steel
  Pupils came and Pupils went but those that stayed ensured the rise of East Steel

• 14 Panorama 2K6 ‘Champions of Steel’
   Ebony captured their 15th Panorama title

• 16 Contrast Steel Band
  they grew from strength to strength under Cy Jacques and now Pat Munroe is at the helm.

• 18 The Rise and Death
  of the Royal Park Steel Pandas
  they played at the first of the Kirkstall Festival concerts and were always invited back.

• 20 Billy Ocean
  the biggest selling British black artiste of all times. Selling over 30 million singles and albums worldwide over a 25 year career.

• 22 T&T Trafalgar Square Event
  giving London the opportunity to experience Trinidad and Tobago’s multiculturalism in performance.

• 24 Sonic Steel
  Danish Steel Ensemble playing music to help assist the Danish Pan scene to evolve.

• 25 Caribbean Carnival Extravaganza
  this production that includes steel band has performed at most major venues in the UK.

• 26 BAS 8th Annual Awards
  the event has grown in stature and has now established itself in the UK community’s calendar.

• 28 Readers Letters

• 29 Yolande Richardson
  A fresh new face on the New York pan scene.

• 30 St Michaels & All Angels Steel Band
  helping young people raise their self esteem and develop leadership and teamwork skills.

• 31 BAS Future Development Forum
  developing skills to lead the future generations of steel bands and pannists.

• 32 Phoenix Firebirds
  the Canadian steel band from Ontario encouraging creative musical talent among the youth.

• 33 CD Reviews

• 34 Schools Proms 2K6
  the young musicians who are top of their class performed at the Royal Albert Hall.

• 36 SV2G Wycombe Steel Orchestra
  Young people learning a wide repertoire on the steel pan to showcase their talent at community events.

• 38 The First European International Steel Pan Conference
  commissioned by BAS and entitled ‘Steelband Music and Education in the 21st Century; Projecting a Vision of the Future through Global Experiences’

• 40 Andy Neils
  The art of Pan tuning is alive with Andy ‘Mad Max’ Neils.

• 42 Pantonic All Stars Steel Orchestra
  they have performed at the Schools Proms in the Royal Albert Hall four times between1989 to 1995.

• 44 London Lord Mayor Show
  Croydon Steel Orchestra participated at the 2006 Lord Mayor’s Show in London to support the Prostate Cancer Charity.

• 45 Sterling Betancourt & TASPO
  Honoured
  Pan Trinbago and the T&T Ministry of Community, Development, Culture and Gender Affairs honoured TASPO & other pan pioneers.

• 46 CSI at the EMMAS
  CSI is the first steel band to perform at the EMMAS Festival in Olbia, Sardinia, Italy.

• 47 Harlow Steel Band
  established as a community organisation in 2003 with the help of Ebony Steel Band.

• 48 T&T Steel Pan and Jazz Festival
  Queen’s Royal College Foundation steel pan and jazz event held in October 2006.

• 49 Pan in Education
  PIE is the first in a series of unique, innovative and effective cultural products. PIE is the work of Mark Loquan, established composer.

Click here for more on steelpan in the UK

For more info: