Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- The 2009 Summer steelpan music events continue to roll on with a bang.
Recently When Steel Talks found itself in Montréal, Quebec, Canada to cover the annual
Montreal International Steelpan Festival. Now in its 9th year, the
two–day festival is the brainchild of steelpan activist, organizer and educator Salah Wilson. Mr. Wilson, a seasoned steelpan musician and educator is well known for his musical accomplishments
and for the championing of musical literacy in
the Quebec area. However for this endeavor Mr. Wilson felt it was important to
create meaningful performance opportunities that had international
significance and impact. Furthermore these performances will enhance the
multi-cultural artistic attraction of the city of Montréal.
The event was originally a one-day affair focusing around the steelband
competition. This year it was expanded to two days. The first day of the festival opened with a show aptly named
“Steelpan Soloists in Concert.” Scheduled featured performers included
Clyde ‘Lightning’ George (Chicago), Kenrick & Kenneth Headley (Vancouver)
(pictured at right), Hameed Shaqq - ‘The Pan Piper’ (Toronto) and Salah Wilson (Montreal). It was held at Marianopolis College in the visually
eye-catching
downtown Montréal area.
These performers were not just your regular run-of-the-mill soloists.
Each soloist, beyond their musical talents, brought very compelling life
stories and experiences to the mix.
Double tenor player,
Clyde ‘Lightning’ George
(pictured left),
was a star member of the
famous “Highlanders” where he studied under Bertie Marshall,
the inventor of the double tenor steelpan. He would later migrate to
Chicago where he pursued his love of the jazz idiom, and has never looked
back.
Kenrick Headley toured the world with pianist
Liberace as a distinguished member of the revered Esso Trinidad
(Tripoli) Steelband. He now resides in Vancouver, Canada. His
son
Kenneth Headley
is a great young talent and an educator who studied under Dr. Dawn Batson at
Florida Memorial College. In addition he continues to perform,
reflecting the priceless and signature
impact of dad Kenrick. He too resides in Vancouver.
Hameed Shaqq,
known as “The Pan Piper” of Toronto is very appropriately named. He
is a tireless advocate for the steelpan instrument. Few can match his
enthusiasm and love for steelpan music and its culture.
And of course there is
Salah Wilson (writer, performing artist, arranger, educator, producer);
a former member of the Flamingos out of Trinidad, Salah
(pictured performing at the festival)
has pushed forth a series
of successful programs that promote and provide instruction in steelpan and music literacy on
all levels.
When Steel Talks was able to speak with and observe each soloist
during the two-day festival. Each performer brought a unique approach to soloing,
but beyond their singular performing nuances there were common threads among
them. The human element of the steelpan performing equation although
rarely talked about, was clearly evident here. Each had a very special
love affair with the steelpan instrument. Their dedication to and enthusiasm
for it is infectious. It was a joy to watch them interact with each
other, as well as with other panists present. Each came alive on stage before the
audience.
Kenneth Headley
(pictured on stage) is a great talent with unlimited potential
within the music world. His father Kenrick is quiet and unassuming but
a terrific player; there is much that up-and-coming panists can learn from
Kenrick - he clearly demonstrates that panists have been operating on a high
level for quite a while. Consistency, dedication and knowledge are the
hallmarks of Clyde ‘Lightning’ George in his chosen genre of jazz.
Energetic, enthusiastic and committed to the art form and its overall
successful evolution - just about describes Hameed Shaqq,
the Pan Piper
(pictured below), who
brings a positive and forward outlook to any situation with which he was
involved. Salah Wilson is a panist, but more than that - clearly a man
with a vision, and a plan for achieving it.
In a nutshell, this new component to the international steelpan show accomplished all the major goals the producers
had targeted for its maiden voyage. There were no major visible shortcomings
on the runway leading up
to the event - and no outward signs of the extremely trying personal circumstances under which key
personnel were functioning - (event organizers the Wilson family recently
suffered the loss of their home in a fire).
The show opened up with the
‘Salah & Family Steelband Ensemble.’ The
first song - I Want You Back - was appropriately a tribute to the late
Michael Jackson who had passed away only two days before. Their set continued
with a
variety of songs which included among others Chuck Mangione’s Feel so Good, and
a
wonderful rendition of Every Time You Go Away featuring the golden
voice of Mrs. Salah Wilson
(pictured performing).
The attention for the evening then turned to the soloists. The house band was called
‘A Few
Good Friends’ and featured Brian Cezair (bass), Hayes “Kali” Thurton (guitar), Harold Faustin (guitar) and Zaynab Wilson (drums).
The group of talented pan soloists presented a wide variety of styles and music
genres - everything from jazz to pop. The audience obviously found their performances
quite pleasing and enjoyable.
Indeed the performers did span the generations. In addition
to the father/son duo of the Headleys, special mention must go to the grandson
of Salah Wilson, 10 year-old Rashiyd Wilson who received a standing ovation for
his rendering of “At Last.”
Contact:
salah@steelpanplus.com; Salah Wilson: 1 (514) 924-7307
Ning profile -
http://whensteeltalks.ning.com/profile/SalahWilson
Festival articles:
International Panorama 2009 - Montréal Style
Steelpan Soloists Light Up
Montréal
Salah Wilson: a Man with a Vision, a Plan and a
Point of Execution
Maine’s Atlantic Clarion Steel Band - Pan
Coalition
