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Legend Stars Steel Band in play for 2011

 Another When Steel Talks Exclusive     © 2011 When Steel Talks - All Rights Reserved

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New York - In the heat of the fiery New York Panorama season, there are oases along the way in the form of the smaller steelband sides that generally make their appearance on J’Ouvert morning.

Far removed from the hassle and frenzy that is characteristic of bands preparing for the goal of clinching the holy grail of each steelband season - the Panorama championship title - these smaller pan sides have their own faithful following.  It is made up of a usually more mature crowd which patronizes them on a nightly basis as they too, practice and enhance their repertoire ultimately for their J’Ouvert sessions early Labor Day morning and before that, sometimes for the band launches where they are invited to perform.

Legends Stars Steel Band at practice   Legends Stars Steel Band at practice
Legends Stars Steel Band at practice

One such is Legend Stars Steel Band on the corner of Avenue D and East 49th Street in Brooklyn, New York.  It’s mid August, and practice has wound up for yet another night of the week.  Most of the players have gone home, but a few still linger for the ‘lime,’ sitting on chairs, instruments having been cleared away after band practice.  Manager Joe Gabriel (who also manages New York Pan Stars) is closing up the refreshments area, but takes a bit of time to chat with When Steel Talks.

Manager Joe Gabriel (standing at left) with Legend Stars as they practice
Manager Joe Gabriel (standing, left) with Legend Stars as they practice

“Legend Stars came out of Invaders” explains Gabriel.  Invaders Steel Orchestra (New York) dissolved after the 2001 USSA (United States Steelband Association) panorama.  In 2005 some of the players came together and formed what is now Legend Stars, calling their Avenue D location ‘home’ for each steelband season, and playing along the J’Ouvert route with their own mas band on Labor Day.  A few younger people are now also part of Legends Stars.

Lennox Leverock on guitar during band practice
Lennox Leverock on guitar pans during band practice

One of the founding members of Invaders, Lennox Leverock has joined the conversation by this time and reiterates the theme of J’Ouvert.  Both Gabriel and Leverock laughingly refer to Panorama [when the band was Invaders] as ‘those days.’  “Enjoyment.  J’Ouvert morning, we come out to enjoy ourselves - and that’s it,” emphasizes Leverock.  And about twenty to twenty-five steelpan players will be out enjoying themselves, as will masqueraders in “Hawaiian Dancers,” Legend Stars’ J’Ouvert 2011 mas band.

With selections like Trini; Falling In Love, I Can’t Stop Loving You, Morning After and Who’s Sorry Now in the band’s repertoire, their interpretations of these favorites are arranged by Patrick Hypolite.  Their instruments, which include two tenor basses, two guitars, two six basses, four tenors, one double tenor - and more - are all tuned by “Broko” Jordan.

Legends Stars Steel Band
Legends Stars Steel Band

Like many bands on the New York pan scene do annually, Legends Stars plans to host a Fundraiser/Band Launch.  Costumes for their J’Ouvert band are on display at their panyard; those who wish to join up can go there directly to view samples, or contact Joe Gabriel at 1 (917) 371-9280.

Costumes from Legend Stars Steel Band's 2011 J'Ouvert mas band presentation, Hawaiian Dancers
Costumes from Legend Stars Steel Band’s 2011 J’Ouvert mas band presentation, Hawaiian Dancers

 

 

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