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St. George’s, Grenada, W.I. - At Grenada’s 2019 National Panorama, one of the competition’s youngest arrangers, Cordel Byam, guided now-twelve-time Panorama champion New Dimension Steel Orchestra to its latest victory lap around the national steelband music circuit. The annual event unfolded this past Saturday August 10 at the National Stadium in St. George’s, the country’s capital.
New Dimension Steel Orchestra at the 2019 Grenada National Panorama
The third-largest band in the competition with seventy-five players, New Dimension was third on stage and skillfully rocked the musical world of the pan lovers in attendance, performing the popular 2019 soca Trouble In The Morning by “V’ghn.” Byam’s arrangement was masterfully constructed, well layered and punctuated with captivating transitions, for a total competition piece his musical army executed effortlessly, apace and with full exuberance. This was Byam’s first time arranging for the National Panorama, having three (2017—2019) consecutive Pan Xpression (Grenada’s version of the Bomb tune competition) titles, under his belt.
As with Khan Cordice of Antigua & Barbuda, New York’s André White, the Three Amigos, and Duvone Stewart from Trinidad and Tobago, music aficionados globally should continue to look forward to enjoying competent and memorable work, once Cordel Byam - paired with a competent orchestra - is in the musical mix.
Commancheros Steel Orchestra at the 2019 Grenada National Panorama
Commancheros Steel Orchestra was the defending champion, and left a huge musical mark when its energetic eighty-five-player band set the stage a-rumbling, with Moss International’s 1991 original Jambalesse Rule arranged by veteran champion arranger Andre Greenidge. From the count at 9:40 p.m. musicians were intent on striking ‘musical dread’ into the hearts of their competitors. And Commancheros set the scene as their players trouped en masse onto the stage, some grasping hold of a length of chain. Clad as they were in black with headgear topped off with pink and black horns, the panists were well equipped in the most relevant way - they had the musical chops necessary to present on pan a deep, singular, African rhythm that, coupled with glistening black-oiled characters (who themselves made an appearance), routinely strikes ‘consternation’ into the souls of fellow revelers during carnival. An eventual score of 278 led to Commancheros securing second spot overall.
It had been just before 7:25 p.m. when fourteen-time champs Angel Harps Steel Orchestra took the stage in quest of championship number fifteen. Though eventually third-placed in the Panorama, the band which was first up in front of the judges, was also one of the two bands playing Trouble In The Morning, the soca song popularized by Grenadian national Jevaughn “V’ghn” John. Long-time arranger James Clarkson worked with the band once more.
Another music veteran with more than a dozen championship titles of his own to date, David ‘Peck’ Edwards, took the stage twice as arranger during the Panorama. First with the fifty players of band number two, Rainbow City All Stars, and not too long after with Pan Wizards Steel Orchestra. And with the latter, New York’s Dashawn “Drummerboii” Wallace was holding it down on drums. Appearing fifth on stage was Florida All Stars, whose performance when ended around 9:18 p.m., rounded out half of the evening’s competitors.
Pan Lovers Symphony was the smallest band of the night, but nonetheless featured players—one as young as six—happy to be on the national stage. The group was made up of primarily family members, and appeared in position seven out of ten. They were led musically by Anika Bayne, daughter of the band’s previous arranger Ignatius Bayne.
Grand Roy Pan Angels at the 2019 Grenada National Panorama
What was undeniably the most eye-catching band of the night followed in the form of Grand Roy Pan Angels, the eighth orchestra on stage. Fluorescent yellow T-Shirts and identically-colored mid and background pans - an unforgettable vision. Their tune of choice signaled the third time that the music of “V’ghn” was heard in the competition, in this case, 2019’s Dirty Heart. A drizzle was underway by the time Grand Roy Pan Angels wrapped up their presentation by 10:40 p.m.
Pan Ossia Steel Orchestra at the 2019 Grenada National Panorama
A now-glistening stage courtesy of the previous light rainfall did not dampen the enthusiasm of the penultimate band, Pan Ossia. Arranger Robert Cadet, Sr. gave the count for Dash’s Gifted, and, they were off. Cadet also returned as co-arranger—Lester Prime was the other—for the tenth and final band, Melody Warriors, which grooved through its rendition of Laura Lisa’s Dis Carnival.
The entire competitive phase was a wrap by 11:29 p.m.! These were among the fastest consistent changeovers in steel orchestras in recent Panorama history - less than half hour between the end and start of performances, ten in all. Bravo!
Hours earlier Kareem Alexis, the Master of Ceremonies, delivered a sterling rendition of Grenada’s national anthem which was widely appreciated and applauded. His performance had opened up the evening of music, and Alexis went on to provide eloquent and competent service for the event. Six judges were on hand to decide which orchestra would eventually be ‘best in show’ for National Panorama 2019. From Grenada, respected musicians Ethan Francis, Allan Gaskin and Curlan Matthew were joined by Trinbagonian counterparts Cuthbert Matthew, Joanna Ragbir and Lennox London.
Pan lovers had the opportunity via Pay-Per-View to also experience the Panorama live as it unfolded. While the video was acceptable, the accompanying audio that was broadcast online ranked among the more abysmal heard in recent years via the online medium, with mainly the tenors cutting through, while the midrange and bass instruments were barely discernible in the mix. Disappointing. On a positive tip, broadcast hosting duties were succinctly seen to by Cecil Noel, himself one of Grenada’s veteran musicians and arrangers; the responsibility was shared with Shirma Wells.
New Dimension band member representative (at left) is presented with the 2019 Grenada National Panorama championship trophy
Before Panorama results, awards were given out relative to earlier-held steelband competitions: New Dimension Steel Orchestra had also been victorious in 2019 Pan Xpression, and the trophy was presented by Genevieve Gibbs, Spicemas Corporation’s Chairperson. The winning arranger in that category was also Cordel Byam. The corporation’s CEO Kelvin Jacob did the honors for Grenada’s 2019 Junior National Panorama champions, Angel Harps Steel Orchestra, while the country’s Minister for Youth Development, Sports, Culture & The Arts— Norland Cox—shook hands and handed over the trophy to New Dimension Steel Orchestra.
Another Panorama is in Grenada’s history books, and with so many young people as participating members of the steel orchestras, the potential is naturally there for the continued growth and success of the art form in the country. Kudos to music lovers, respective communities and organizations for their ongoing support.
Grenada’s past Panorama winners
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Grenada 2019 Panorama RESULTS |
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| Placing/ Points / Play position |
Band / # of Players |
Selection/ Performer |
Arranger / Tuner |
| 1st 285 ( #3) |
New Dimension Steel Orchestra 75 players |
Trouble In The Morning (“V’ghn”) |
Arranger: Cordel Byam Tuners:  Bertram “Birch” Kelman & Terrence Shepherd |
| 2nd 279 ( #6 ) |
Commancheros Steel Orchestra 85 players |
Jambalesse Rule (“MOSS International”) |
Arranger: Andre Greenidge Tuner: Federico Gay |
| 3rd 272 ( #1 ) |
Angel Harps Steel Orchestra 78 players |
Trouble In The Morning (“V’ghn”) |
Arranger: James Clarkson Tuner: Dudley Dickson |
| 4th 249 ( #4 ) |
Pan Wizards Steel Orchestra 55 players |
Still Booming (“Scholar”) |
Arranger: David “Peck” Edwards Tuner:  Andy A. Neils |
| 5th 241 ( #9 ) |
Pan Ossia Steel Orchestra 45 players |
Gifted (“Dash”) |
Arranger: Robert K. Cadet Tuner: Gerald Clarke |
| 6th 234 ( #5 ) |
Florida All Stars Steel Orchestra 42 players |
Marion (“Inspector”) |
Arranger: Dashiki Phillip Tuner: Federico Gay |
| 7th 227 ( #2 ) |
Rainbow City All Stars Steel Orchestra 50 players |
Soca Feeling (“Black Wizard”) |
Arranger: David “Peck” Edwards Tuner: Federico Gay |
| 8th 226 ( #10 ) |
Melody Warriors Steel Orchestra 36 players |
Dis Carnival (Laura Lisa) |
Arrangers: Robert K. Cadet & Lester Prime Tuner: N/A |
| 9th 213 ( #8 ) |
Grand Roy Pan Angels |
Dirty Heart (“V’ghn”) |
N/A |
| 10th 212 ( #7 ) |
Pan Lovers Symphony | Up In It (“Boyzie”) |
Arranger: Anika Bayne |
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