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Harmony Steel Orchestra performing at New York’s
2007 Panorama |
New York - On Monday evening, May 26, 2008, the Harmony Music Makers
Steel Orchestra out of Brooklyn met on the stage at Lincoln
Center’s Avery Fisher for a “Memorial” performance. As part
of the program offered by Distinguished Concerts
International New York, the show was titled: Global Spirit:
Music of Many Cultures.
The first part of the performance showcased young people’s
voices in songs inspired by music from the Dominican Republic,
Japan, the Caribbean, Venezuela and Israel. One of the
pieces performed, “Kyrie” featured a lovely pan solo that
served as a wonderful juxtaposition of pan and voice.
Harmony took the stage after the
choral performance was completed. While it was clear that
some of the audience only came to see their children
perform, those who remained to take a taste of something
different were rewarded with a phenomenal performance by the
steel orchestra.
Starting off with their rendition of Alicia Keys’ “No One”,
offering their own choral renderings of the bridge to the
song, the band set the stage for the performance to come. Chaka Khan’s “Ain’t Nobody” came next and the band got into
the groove of the song while the audience reacted positively
to the performance.
Harmony’s unique rendition of “Endless Love” by Lionel
Ritchie and with the band literally going down as they
performed a decrescendo, it was clear that they put
finishing touches on both the choreography and the
arrangement of the song. This lively version of the song
transformed a ballad into something that made you want to move
in your seat.
“Fantasy” by Earth, Wind and Fire was an arrangement that
transformed itself from a slow quiet start to a jam with a
solo thrown in for good measure. Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She
Lovely” began like a stroll in the park – very low, smooth
and sensual. It then exploded on the stage and offered a
beautiful solo on the tenor pan. It was clear that the
seconds’ players in the front of the stage were enjoying
themselves while they traded pans during this song.
After jumping off the podium and counting off on a seconds
pan, conductor Patrick Davis enjoyed his band playing
“Fiery” by Cecil Hume (Maestro) and danced on the stage to
the beat. The entire band reacted to this song, calling to
mind the lyrics: “Coming out strong, I can’t go wrong…” and
“blazing in the streets.” The rhythm section supported the
song effectively, and visibly loved playing the music.
Like all good things, this too had to end. My only comment
other than the great time had at the performance was that we
as a community have to publicize these events more so that
they can be better attended. I look forward eagerly to
Harmony’s summer and would love to see them in any other
venue.
by AH
Contact
Harmony at:
web:
www.Harmony.panonthenet.com
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