Christmas with CrossFire Steel Orchestra

In Pictures

Brooklyn, New York, USA - “Nah it’s cold out there - can’t go” -- were words that were never entertained or spoken by the full-house crowd that turned up for the CrossFire Steel Orchestra ‘We Three Kings’  2019 Christmas Show.

Others in the Big Apple may have been hanging with the Rockettes uptown at Radio City Hall, or at Lincoln Center with Tchaikovsky’s Christmas ballet “The Nutcracker,” or a Christmas musical on Broadway.  But Brooklyn natives were privy to their equally valued form of high culture and grand entertainment - a steel orchestra Christmas musical.

There has always been a very special relationship between the Brooklyn steel orchestras, New York, sweet pan music and Christmas.  And this past Saturday CrossFire, with the aid of a few friends (Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra, the Meyer Levin Advanced Steel Band, the multi-talented Khuent Rose & André White, and others) demonstrated that the bond is as strong, critical and as vibrant as ever in the community.

With Jack Frost whipping it up at below freezing temperatures for the past couple of days just before the official start of Old Man Winter - it would have been quite understandable if folks had packed it up for the evening and said “Nah, too cold.”  CrossFire transformed St. Paul’s auditorium into a Christmas Wonderland that greeted the attendees. The lights, colors, art, decorations exuded warmth and seasonal greetings with spirits and so much warmth, that even if you were suffering from the blues - it would have been on instant suspension and replacement with cheers, and good feelings, rice & peas, macaroni and cheese et al - and of course, great steelband music.

Among the pan lovers present, were veteran steelpan players, organizers, supporters and activists, like Orlando Thomas, Charmaine Derrell, Vincent “Hueloy” Lila Yip Young, Clyde Durant, Garvin Blake, Terah Tom, Hazel Beckles-Younglao, and Her Excellency, Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations, Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, among others.

Beyond the great performances of the orchestras, the audience got to hear and enjoy  the arranging works of two upcoming New Yorkers with ‘can’t-miss’ talents:  Damany James, arranger for CrossFire and Brandon Waldrop, arranger for Pan Evolution. And for icing on the cake, the audience was treated to a special set by two exceptional musicians,  Khuent and André, who had the audience singing to their songs in jubilant accompaniment, especially with an impromptu collaboration with another musical ace, Marc Brooks.

This night will become part of the tapestry of a very long and great history of exceptional Christmas Steel Orchestra performances - like 1995’s Moods Pan Groove Christmas Concert at Manhattan Center, 2001’s Reflections in Steel with the Mighty Sparrow at Brooklyn College, 2006’s CASYM Classics & Carols, and 2011’s CASYM Steel Orchestra at Brooklyn Museum among others.

The show opened with a special performance by violist Asiah Wharton (who also plays pan) and panist Khuent Rose on the double second pan. Ms. Wharton would again later in the program lend her talents when she performed with CrossFire Steel Orchestra - providing a special blend of old world instruments, and the new school musical instrument of choice in many urban areas like Brooklyn.

The young middle schoolers from Meyer Levin Advanced Steel Band displayed their deft music skills with an exceptional performance of a medley of holiday classics that included the theme from The Nutcracker, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, and Carol of the Bells. They received thunderous applause for their renditions.

CrossFire took the spotlight - and delivered! Under the guidance of musical director Damany James,  they commanded attention with a captivating showcase that brought forth applause and shouts of appreciation which touched the rafters of the structure—which was opened back in 1866.  The New York music staple closed the show in fine form. 

Martin Douglas, owner and manager of CrossFire Steel Orchestra was quite happy with the outcome and overall event.  “Of course, a very mature crowd who enjoyed every moment of the evening.  They stayed seated even when Father Hamblin (chaplain of St. Paul’s) was giving the final address....I felt this concert gave the audience a true Caribbean Christmas feeling.”

And kudos to long-time supporters of the organization, as well to the other core musicians of CrossFire Steel Orchestra, who, though not performing on this night, were on hand to organize and assist in the smooth operation of the overall event, especially in the hospitality arena.

Well done, Martin “Dougie” Douglas, take a bow!  Who would have thought that the director of CrossFire is an undercover songster??

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