|
Maryland, USA
- When Steel Talks (WST) departed Brooklyn at
5:40 a.m. to catch the 8:05 Washington-bound Amtrak train
stopping off at
11:04 a.m. in Maryland - the site of the 2009 Pan
Masters Steelband Jamboree.
WST left with a lot of anticipation, in terms
of expecting much from what this year’s line up of steelbands would present. In addition to many of the
Maryland-area steelbands, this year Long Island-based ADLIB
Steel Orchestra - the 2008 New York panorama champions -
would be participating. And based on past
performances, the expectations were high for a very
entertaining event. After all this was the 11th annual
steelband jamboree. Simply put: if you don’t know what
you are doing by now, you will never know.
Fast-forwarding: the bands’ performances
were excellent. If you were not there you missed a
good one. All the steelpan artists delivered.
The young players who performed were very poised and
performed like seasoned vets while enjoying themselves and
keeping intact, their infectious exuberance - meanwhile the
veterans anchored the bands with experience and purpose.
This year’s Pan Masters Steelband Jamboree was again another successful
exercise on how an organization and community can come
together socially and artistically to seamlessly knit the ingredients needed to excel
at home, in the classroom and community.
Pan Masters did not disappoint us or the
attendees of the event. Pan Masters’ organization
delivered a tight and well-produced production that was
entertaining, engaging and memorable. Beyond the
artistic success, it was a great promotional day for the
event and the instrument. Let’s face it - many of the
steelband music events are so badly produced they do more
damage to the instrument’s positions within ‘john’ public’s psyche
than anything else.
 Hundreds of fans turned up for the annual
event. This is particularly significant in that this
is the Memorial Day weekend in the US. There is
probably not another weekend in the year that provides as
many options, challenges and competition for the attention
of any program attendee - as there are so many choices that
are all vying for attention, not least of all the
traditional family gatherings and social functions.
In addition to great music and
performances, the program attendees experienced an event
devoid of the frustrations that often plagued steelpan
music events. Everything was on time and
rolled from start to finish with an efficiency and purpose
that was astonishing. There very few major hiccups
that ever made it to the public’s awareness. The Pan
Masters’ event managing team did an excellent job of
cooperating, being proactive, ‘outing fires’ and insulating
the audience from any discomfort or distraction.
The DJ system, which (as at most
steelband events) doubled as the PA system - must get
better. Prime Time is simply that, “Prime Time” - not
Practice Time. One has to deliver at a moment’s notice
when called on - not yesterday or tomorrow; time’s up - the
gig’s over.
The Pan Masters’ production crew once
more
implemented the
two-stage setup which worked again, very well. Bands
moved in and out of the performance areas and on to their
loading bays with minimal delay. One suggestion we
have, might be to make use of a drape system (like the ones commonly
in place
at trade shows) to block off and separate,
the loading section
from the audience’s view, and also from the main performing area.
Another such system can even dually serve as a backdrop, and
backstage section, while efficiently screening from the
audience view, band and instrument movement on and off the
stage area. Finally - a ten-foot curtain system
(pulley) in front of the performing area, would
elevate the peripheral visual aspect of the show. There is
nothing like the raising of a curtain - to reveal an orchestra
raring to go!
 Once again hosts/event organizers Pan
Masters proudly presented a beautiful color brochure with their own
original graphics to event patrons with a thorough bio of
all the performing bands. This act alone, sets Pan Masters
apart
as organizers, from those in charge of many other steelpan music
shows, concerts and panoramas - and this is in comparison
with national and international steelband
productions. Pan Masters demonstrates a clearly genuine show of respect for their
audience and their fellow steelpan performing
artists, and their respective efforts and achievements.
This year Ms. Angela van Niel served as the media
coordinator in addition to her other responsibilities.
Ms. van Niel not only secured WST any support we needed, but
also provided us with a day schedule that mapped the run time
to the minute - and in detail for the whole event.
Ms. van Niel could also be seen clearly in the role of stage
manager, ensuring that everything was rolling according to
schedule.
The Pan Masters Steelband Jamboree remains a special
event in that they have found a way to move forward with
limited resources, while presenting an entertaining,
community-oriented and highly artistic event that draws its citizens together in large
numbers. Simultaneously they provide a platform particularly
for its youth and adults to perform and showcase their
talents, even as they facilitate a professional and high-level music
arena for its musically advanced steel orchestras.
It has been reported that US President
Barack Obama picked up a pair of steelpan instruments for his
daughters on his recent trip to Trinidad and Tobago.
In this regard, given the quality of the Pan Masters
Steelband Jamboree, and since the Obamas have taken up residence (in the
White House) a stone’s throw away from Pan Masters’ practice
facility, we would not be astonished to see the Obamas
seated in the audience watching their
daughters perform with one of the groups.
Which brings to mind, kudos to the
organizers - and attendees themselves - for making sure that
the view of folks who were
sitting in the tented areas - was seldom blocked. We
were particularly impressed with MC Roland Barnes who kept things
on point, imparted valuable and pertinent info during the
proceedings, and even kept ‘super enthusiastic’ attendees away from
blocking hosts Pan Masters’ video op while they performed. Indeed it was like
the parting of the “Red Sea” when Barnes spoke. All
listened and behaved - except for this one rogue
photographer who got into every photo and video. This
was the performing artists’ (steelbands) moment. No media person should ever
detract from that by becoming ‘part’ of the artists’
presentations.
Performing Artists: St. Veronica’s Youth Steel Orchestra, Pan
Majestic Youth Academy Steel Orchestra, Positive Vibrations
Youth Steel Orchestra, DC Pan Jammers, and hosts Pan Masters
Steel Orchestra.
The Performances
 Pan Majestic Youth Academy Steel Orchestra (PMYASO) opened the jamboree
with a spirited performance that covered a variety of
popular tunes. The group has improved greatly since
last year. However, they were unintentionally, but
nonetheless adversely impacted by the DJ’s
mic placement, mic choice and volume. Other than the DJ’s
obtrusiveness, their performance was on point. The
arrangement of Pan Majestic’s final piece “Oil and Music”
was real
cool and connected with the audience.
Steelband
management have to understand that they are solely responsible for
every aspect of their performance - and most of all the
sound reinforcement, if and when used. One mic in front of a steel
orchestra - however well-intentioned - without some sort of sound check, is not a good
idea. There are no “do over's” in a live show -
everything counts - everything matters. We will make no further comments on this
issue.
 Next up:
Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra (PVYSO) - They
ran a full gamut of musical genres that showcased not only
their wide repertoire but additionally their skill set and
musical sensibilities. From “Big Band” to Soca to Bell
Biv Devoe - there was a comfort level and maturity they had
not presented with in the past. Musical diversity
aside, Positive Vibrations succeeded
in raising the bar on expectations and let it be known that
they are not prepared to play second fiddle to anyone.
They have a great stage presence and know how to work the
crowd with drama and theatre. Be assured they
are becoming the consummate artists. Check them out
and you will not be disappointed.
 Then it was the
turn of St.
Veronica’s Youth Steel Orchestra (SVYSO) who were very impressive.
While youthful in looks, there was nothing youthful about
their approach to their craft. Look for these young
musicians to have a real impact soon. All too often we forget
what pan music is all about. St. Veronica’s made people get up and dance and sing -
indeed the greatest compliment to a performing musician.
The faces of the crowd said everything. They captured
the spirit of pan and put on a command performance.
From Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long” to soca classics like
Black Stalin’s “Black Man Feeling To Party,” SVYSO connected well with the audience.
 The spotlight
was next on the stageside representation of the New
York 2008 Panorama Champions ADLIB
Steel Orchestra - they simply performed
overall as the well-seasoned musicians that they are.
Moreover, they had the foresight to perform without the DJ’s
amplification. The result was pan gratification -
sweet pan to the ears. The audience was clearly
pleased with the riddance of the sonic distortion the previous
bands suffered with. ADLIB put on a great performance.
They were like fine wine.
 ADLIB was followed
by DC Pan Jammers which has a great blend of youth and
mature players who put together a solid
performance. Pan Jammers showed that you can still capture the
imagination and the fancy of the crowd by going ‘ole school’
as they did with Lord Kitchener’s “Rain-O-Rama” right after
dropping Ne-Yo’s smash
jam “Miss Independent” - if it is arranged and performed well. Talk about stretching the ages.
DC Pan Jammers also dropped some very interesting
arrangements. In fact, this group has a track
recording of putting down noteworthy performances at past
jamborees.
 Pan Masters
Steel Orchestra (PMSO) closed
the show. WST has watched a transformation of Pan
Masters Steel Orchestra over the years. In addition to
being the host of the event Pan Masters is also a performer in
the show. And that presents an interesting dichotomy
for the organization. Pan Masters has learned to
handle it well. Simply put, they now make sure that they
are the finest steel orchestra on the night. As
gracious a host as PMSO is, clearly no one was going to
upstage them on their home court. Pan Masters served
notice that their name must be entered when there is any discussion
about the top orchestras in Northeast USA. From their
version of Tarrus Riley’s “She’s Royal” to Michael Jackson’s
“Don’t Stop ’Till You Get Enough” - Pan Masters clearly
were in
their zone and the audience followed.
The Pan Masters Steelband Jamboree is clearly a collaborative effort
on the part of members of the organization. WST saw
many of the members putting in superhuman efforts to make
sure things got off the ground smoothly from early o’clock.
Special thanks must go to Mr. Marcus Adams and crew for
constructing the hi-rise media booth which WST press
personnel used
to the fullest.
Got to hand it to Pan
Masters - they are not ducking, dodging and/or hiding - least
of all from the WST ‘critics’ - every year they just
keep on getting better.
click to see video performances
contact Pan Masters at
info@panmasters.com;
www.panmasters.com
Related Articles/Links
|
