Mangrove Steelband Makes It Title Ten In UK Panorama Triumph With Arranger André White - 2019 UK Panorama Results

London, United Kingdom - In almost a year to the day, Mangrove Steelband copped its tenth UK Panorama title on Saturday August 24, 2019. The sweetness of Savannah Grass (played by three of the six orchestras) as musically envisioned by champion arranger André White and performed by Mangrove, proved irresistible not just for pan music lovers, but also apparently to the judges, going by the results. This victory makes it title number ten for the defending champions and the third UK triumph for the New York-based André White. This year, performing artist and arranger in his own right Leon Foster Thomas drilled, and drummed for, Mangrove. Exuberance was evident, with both the players and audience euphoric during and after the performance.

There was one newcomer to the UK Panorama; Pan Nation Steel Orchestra, which went on to place fourth. Founded ten years ago, in its maiden voyage the band appeared as a full-fledged steel orchestra of one hundred players as they took on their musical peers. They were proudly led by their arranger, Chris Storey, also the band’s founder.

Metronomes Steel Orchestra opted for Nadia Batson’s So Long arranged by Leroy Clarke - also the band’s drummer - while Ebony Steelband delivered a Duvone Stewart-arrangement of Trouble In The Morning. The two musical adversaries switched positions in results this year, with the latter coming in third. Croydon and Phase One steel orchestras rounded out the finals placings.

The British Association of Steelbands (BAS) produces the annual battle of the bands for steel supremacy known as the UK Panorama. Last year’s judges - Andy Narell, Annise “Halfers” Hadeed, June Bacchus Ifill, Ray Holman and Robert Bailey returned once more to determine the best band appearing at the venue of Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, Kensal Road in London. And most importantly, Pan was the all round winner - the musicians, steelband community, and pan lovers who revel in the art form year round, and look forward to the showcase of superiority in steel.

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