|
Maryland -
It was a splendid day for the PanMasters Steelband
Organization’s 10th Anniversary Steel Band Jamboree. There
was not a cloud in the sky and the sun beamed its beautiful
rays into De Panyard at Webster Street and Rhode Island Ave
in North Brentwood, Maryland. The Jamboree, sponsored by the
Gateway CDC (Community Development Corporation) embodied the
spirit of Bob Marley’s call for “One Love”.
Mr. Marcus V. Adams, President of PanMasters Steelband
Organization, related, “The purpose of the PanMasters’ Steel
Band Jamboree is to showcase Caribbean culture with Pan as
the main emblem within the community. We try our best to
bring people young and old showcasing Pan as a measure of
unity and one love.”
So on this gorgeous Saturday afternoon some 500 plus
toddlers, teenagers, mothers, uncles, aunts, fathers and
grandparents were all present to enjoy each other and the
steel band music that enriches their souls and kindles pride
in Caribbean cultural heritage. Unlike other musical events
that are age centered, Pan music as seen in the audience at
PanMasters Steelband Jamboree, brings families together from
across generations and increasingly from across races and
genders.
Ms. Patricia Thwaites brought her grandchildren and noted,
“Every year the Pan Jamboree grows with new people coming
in.” Her husband, Robert “Bullet” Thwaites reminisced about
his playing days with Pan Am North Stars and their
appearance in 1964 on the Ed Sullivan show, Radio City Music
Hall, and Macy’s Day Parade. Patricia Thwaites is especially
proud of her stepson Shawn Thwaites who graduated from
Berklee School Of Music and has created the Pan United Youth
Movement Of Maryland. The organization is dedicated to
teaching Pan music and has a touring Pan side of twenty-five
members.
Ms. Ivy Isong, originally from Tobago and now resides in
Silver Springs, Maryland, is part of the growing phenomena
of “Pan Moms” who support their children’s participation in
Pan music. Her daughter plays with PanMasters . She recalled,
“It’s wonderful to see young people out playing. When Pan
started the upper class people didn’t play. My parents were
very strict and didn’t allow me to play. But Pan has grown
quite a bit.”
Ms. Akesha Petersen is originally from the Virgin Islands.
She loves Pan music and came to support her friends in
Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra. Carrying a list
of songs to be performed by Positive Vibrations, Ms.
Petersen said, “I love the sound of Pan music and the
variety of music that is played, including R&B. Also it
reminds me of home.” Ms. Petersen’s comments certainly point
in the direction that favors the expansion of Pan music.
While calypso music is wedded to steel band music, venturing
into a wider canvas of music genres certainly attracts more
people to Pan. The bands played songs, Alicia Keys’, “No
One”, Stevie Wonder’s, “Another Star”, Mary J. Blige’s,
“Dance For Me”, Chick Corea’s, “Spain”. The intense Panorama
competitions have their place but the experience of family
coupled with the variety of music and the differences in
playing styles performed in PanMaster’s10th Anniversary
Steelband Jamboree reveal the wide open space that is the
future of Pan music worldwide. Perhaps we can look forward
to attending the 11th PanMasters Steelband Jamboree at the
Baltimore, harbor.
-
A. Hinkson
Contact Pan Masters at:
web:
www.panmansters.com
email:
panmasters@hotmail.com tel: 1 (301) 864-2610
Related Articles
Click for more articles on Pan Masters’ Jamborees
|
Pan Masters Jamboree
Video
on |
 |
Get the best in
steelpan music CDS and DVDs |
