Brooklyn, New York, USA - It was the second weekend in August, and the final steel band music launch for the 2013 New York panorama season was underway. And it was finally the turn of Pantonic Steel Orchestra to host representations of several of the region’s finest steel bands as they continued to work their music magic on scores of steelband music lovers on hand, and who had all intentions of taking in first-hand, what was the final such production of several stage side steel orchestras conveniently in one locale.
Pantonic Steel Orchestra performs at their 2013 band launch
In a new location for 2013 at Erasmus Street in Brooklyn, Pantonic Steel Orchestra had a small yard but it was certainly big on melodious merit for that Sunday evening. As people filed into the pan yard in high expectation they were greeted by the sounds of the DJ who filled the music space until hosts Pantonic opened up the steelpan showcase which took center stage for the rest of the evening. Pantonic delved into the music, giving the audience a full flavoring of what was to come on the musical menu for that night, making it a spirited opener to the launch.
It has been several years since Pantonic last tasted sweet success in the New York Panorama arena – as a one-time New York musical powerhouse, the music organization has five championship titles of their own during the 1999–2005 era. And one can never take away the distinction of the woman at its helm—its president, Glenda Gamory—of being the only woman in the global history of the steelband art form, to head a one-hundred-plus-strong steel orchestra for more than a decade, and to such sterling achievements and multiple championships during that time. With the passing in 2005 of the band’s masterful and legendary arranger Clive Bradley, the orchestra has not to date regained its former position in the New York panorama arena. However the stage side of “Tonic 2.0”—as the band’s current incarnation is currently referred to—has been blazing a musical path with their performances in the 2013 steelband season. And at this, their own launch, the Tonic 2.0 crew dropped selections which have quickly become crowd favorites, such as Bush Signal’s “Come Over (Miss You),” with serious-faced young drummer Ryan Osborne being the steady and competent anchor in the “engine room” during the band’s appearances.
New York Pan Stars performs at the band launch
New York Pan Stars is an orchestra which has come into their own this musical season and did not disappoint, as they laid down select tracks in the wake of Pantonic for the gradually growing crowd of steelband music lovers. With a set of entirely young musicians who perform regularly in and around the New York area, New York Pan Stars have become confident with ever-improving music prowess which was in evidence once again. With competent arrangements conceived by Marc Brooks (who, while previously on drums, is now generally on congas), the band was a sought-after and welcome inclusion at several preceding steelband events.
Up next was Long Island-based Steel Sensation. The musical baton was passed to them to please the palate of the audience, which had already sampled musical morsels from Pantonic and New York Pan Stars. The steel sextet was secure in their music acumen as leader Ian Japsi shrewdly sized-up the audience, and served up a repertoire targeting their specific age-group. “I looked out at the people, and saw that they were mainly a mature crowd,” Japsi shared with WST (When Steel Talks) after their set. “And we just chose our music to suit.” Indeed – the likes of “Donna Lee,” “Memories,” and a spirited version of Lou Rawls’ “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Man” went down well, to put it mildly, while Chris Brown’s “Fine China” drove home that these guys can deliver on demand, music through the decades as well as current chart-toppers. This is a group of skilled, seasoned, and on-point musicians, with the savoir faire which makes Steel Sensation a unique ensemble well-known along the eastern seaboard of the United States.
Steel Sensation performs at Pantonic’s 2013 band launch
When Oasis Youth Steel Pan Ensemble—direct from New Jersey—stepped up to the plate, they were coming off a stellar performance just two weeks prior at CASYM Steel Orchestra’s band launch. Word had undoubtedly made the rounds with efficacy, as people gathered around as close as possible – and then some - while the group made music for the ears of New Yorkers and others. Grooves like “Let’s Stay Together” and “Rock With You” went down very well. Their New York steelpan counterparts stood with ears and eyes glued, intently, as Oasis’s energized renditions evoked responses at times reminiscent of the type generated by their initial “wow” performance at CASYM’s event.
Talking about CASYM, they were more than primed to follow on the heels of Oasis as music lovers next turned expectantly in their direction. CASYM again brought their brand of high energy performances that have become their imprint throughout the whole 2013 New York pre-panorama season. They did not disappoint the audience, many of whom were making their first launch ‘presence’ for the season. From Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” to Baron’s “Somebody” - CASYM did not miss a beat.
Suffice to say, that Pantonic’s 2013 launch delivered - big time - for all the music lovers who turned out. The bands were there, the people were there.
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Contact Pantonic: 1 (718) 434-0231 Pantonic1@aol.com
Contact New York Pan Stars: nypanstars1@gmail.com
Contact Steel Sensation: 1 (718) 809-8288 steelsensation@gmail.com
Contact Oasis: Facebook - Oasis Steel Orchestra; Twitter - OasisSteel
Contact CASYM: 1 (718) 735-6708 casymsteelband@gmail.com
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Pantonic Steel Orchestra performs at their 2013 band launch
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CASYM Steel Orchestra
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New York Pan Stars perform at the band launch
Six Bass - Edward Clarke
Cello - Bossman “Goose” Joseph
Double Second - Marc Brooks
Tenor - Ryan Joseph, Tristan Japsi
Drums - Ian Japsi
Steel Sensation members left to right:
Eddie, “Bossman,” Ryan, Marc, Ian. Stooping: Tristan
Oasis Youth Steel Pan Ensemble
members
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Oasis Youth Steel Pan Ensemble
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