The Official Magazine of The British
Association of Steelbands
Hello,
Melody, Chords, Chorus, Verse, Bridges,
Syncopating Rhythms and the Circle of Fifths.
Steelband music is very infectious and the virus
is being spread at a fast and furious rate, so
much so that we are hoping that it may soon
reach global epidemic status. This artform is
now firmly rooted into the fabric of multicultural
Britain.
2008 sees the UK steelband community
celebrating the 31st anniversary of the Notting
Hill Panorma, ‘Champions of Steel’ competition.
From its inception in 1978, this iconic competition
has grown in stature and has now attained the
status as being the official start of the Notting
Hill Carnival celebrations. Its move to Hyde Park,
the heart of the world’s most diverse capital was
the biggest transformation of this competition
and marks another milestone of its achievement.
BASFDF’s Pan Explosion 2K8 competition
held in Fairfield Halls this year revealed that
the future of pan rests safely with the youth.
Our BAS/GLA Steelband Jamboree in Trafalgar
Square was yet another success despite the
inclement weather. The CAPCA/BAS Junior
Panorama competition held on the 11th August
continues to develop young pan musicians and
acts as a feeder for the larger orchestras. We
eagerly await our 31st National Panorama,
Jouvert ‘Bomb Tune’ and Best Band on the Road
competitions followed by our annual BAS Awards
in December.
BAS’s media machinery, Pan Podium,
continues to actively support and promote
the unselfish efforts of the global steelpan
community to its world audience ensuring that
the recognition struggle is always at the forefront
with the global pan family reaping the fruits of
their labour. Pan Podium’s mission is to spread
the gospel according to Pan.
Pan Podium continues to work closely with
our global media partners to ensure that we are
aspiring and achieving our common goal in unity.
7.
UK Pan Tuners
Without these talented
craftsmen there will be
no steel pan instruments to play
8.
Bijlmer Kids Steel Band
Hailing from Amsterdam’s Bijlmer
area this children steel band has survived through
Frauke’s determination and the kids love of steel pan
music
10.
Pan Explosion 2k8 BAS annual event
featuring young aspiring composers, arrangers and
pannists competing for coveted titles
12.
Invaders Steel Band
Their pan yard is commonly referred to as the University
of Steel band, where many top pan musicians have
originated from under their breadfruit tree
14.
Sforzata Steel Band
Based in Curepe, Trinidad, Merlin Gill formed this band
in 1975 and they have never looked back
16.
Shannon Dudley
The Man behind ‘Music From Behind the Bridge’
20.
SV2G Education in Steelpan
SV2G pioneers the UWI syllabus and accreditation system
for steelpan to pilot in the UK
22.
Volcano Steel Band
Based in the Sage Gateshead in Newcastle this band is
led by the young and talented, Wendy Brown
24.
Annise ‘Halfers’ Hadeed
Musician
extraordinaire. World Champion Panorama Steelband
Arranger. Annise’s musical quest continues to drive his
innovation
27.
West Hill Primary
School Steel Band West Hill Primary School has been
fortunate to be able to offer a very unique musical
opportunity for its young learners
28.
BAS Trafalgar Square Steelband
Jamboree 2K8
BAS’s annual event held at this iconic venue where
global tourists are treated to a taste of the Caribbean
steel band culture
30.
Caribbean Summer in Dortmund
Pan Kultur’s annual Caribbean event that brings some
sunshine to the German city of Dortmund
32.
Steelband Chief Nigeria
In a four-hour long celebration at the palace of the
Alagbara of Agbara, Agbara town in Ogun State, south
west Nigeria, two chieftaincy titles were conferred upon
panman Bowie Sonnie Bowei
34.
Paul Anderson
Our mission is to raise the status of Carnival Arts and
we have chosen to do this by taking the art form into
the mainstream...
36.
South Africa Pan Jazz Project
This unique project brings together musicians from
Hampshire, Art Asia, and the Western Cape, South Africa
37.
Porchester Festival
The final festival community concert was in front of a
capacity audience of 700
38.
Leicestershire Pan Jam
Pan Jam’s aim this year was to allow people to
experience the true feeling of pan and the many wonders
they had been deprived of
40.
Copenhagen Steelband Festival 2K8
Imagine nine bands from Europe and the USA getting
together for two days in a flourishing park, performing
steeldrum in a colorful variety of musical styles...
42.
Jamal ‘Pacman’ Glynn
Jamal was born in the early 1970’s and his
initial musical experience began with an array of
soulful music and bright colours it being the
kaleidoscope era
44.
The Maharajh Kids Steelband
During their Xmas school break in 1961, the Maharajh
Kids steelband experienced their first “working” holiday
in Barbados
Editor: Robbie Joseph
Writers/Contributors: UK Pan Tuners Guild, Frauke
Lühning, Anthony Blackman, Mazzini Gill, Ray Funk,
Jacqueline Roberts, Ruth Currie, John Baugh, Shaun
Miles, Ranee and Malaviya Maharagh, Judith Spoo, Annise
Hadeed, When Steel Talks, Pete Beadell, Pat Munroe, Sune
Borregard, Paul Anderson and Jamal Glynn
Photography: Response Photography - Layout & Design
Print: Donald Seepaul (Indus Digital Colour Services)
Published by: BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF STEELBANDS
The Tabernacle, Powis Square, London W112AV Tel: 020
7565 7813 - Fax: 020 7565 7810