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The Business of Steelpan Music 24 -7
Web Posted
- Thursday,
December30, 2004
When Steel Talks
- Pan Site SPOTLIGHT
-
Swiss
Steelband Association
HISTORY: Establishment
history of PANCH Swiss Steelband Association
Switzerland - The history of the Caribbean
music culture in Switzerland began 1976, when Sterling Betancourt
produced a small steelband Zurich. Afterwards the first Steelbands
of Switzerland developed. Since that time the number of the Steelbands
in Switzerland have grown continuously.
Today there are over 150 steelbands. No country except Trinidad
and Tobago has as many Steelbands per inhabitant
as Switzerland.
Panch
has over 500 members
since its establishment.
The federation aims to
promote of the Steelpan culture in Switzerland.
It offers to them training further courses, music consultation,
teachers, appearance conditions. In addition info. a service
via E-Mail, current info. a pallet in its homepage
www.panch.ch and further
support within administrative range and with guidance questions
of a Steelband. The services of the federation continue to develop
gradually.
Web Posted -
Friday
December 24, 2004
When Steel Talks
Steel Drums in the
Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade
On January
1, 2005, millions of New Year's revelers around the world will Celebrate
Family with the 2005 Rose Parade, featuring the tradition and pageantry
of magnificent floral floats, spirited marching bands and high-stepping
equestrians. The Palm Springs Desert Cities Resorts is sponsoring
a festive float in the 2005 Tournament of Roses Parade and the
Val Verde Unified School District's Rancho Verde High School
steel drum orchestra along with the Desert Sands Unified School
District's Honor Steel Band are playing on the float! This year
marks the first year students have been featured playing steel drums
on a float in the parade.
Be sure to check your local listing for time and channel so you
can see the wonderful talents of these two bands on one float.
Web Posted -
Friday
December 24, 2004
When Steel Talks
Steel drum band hits
all the right notes
NEW
YEAR'S DAY: Fifteen members
will appear in the Tournament of Roses Parade
in Pasadena.
By JESSICA ZISKO / The Press-Enterprise
Southern California
- The lights dim inside Palm Desert's McCallum Theatre.
Dozens of musicians, all middle school and high school students
from Riverside County, take their spots on stage behind waist-high
steel drums.
The students begin to play, but the music that
emanates from their drums is not traditional calypso melodies. Instead,
they strike a fierce fanfare, followed by an oldie and Santana's
Latin rock. By the time they get to Ozzy's "Crazy Train," the entire
audience is dancing in the aisles.
Drumming this eclectic repertoire is the Pantasia
Steel Drum Orchestra, an ensemble of young music lovers from the
Desert Sands Unified School District in the
Coachella Valley and Rancho Verde High in Moreno Valley.
The orchestra will make history on New Year's
Day when it becomes the first steel drum band to play on a float
at the Tournament of Roses Parade. Fifteen students will ride on
a colorful craft, called the Palm Springs Desert Resorts Cities
float, representing the entire Coachella Valley in its first appearance
in the parade's 116-year history.
Web Posted -
Wednesday
December 23, 2004
When Steel Talks
Singer Flack to
Create New Music School
December
2004
New York --
A new music school is coming to Harlem, founded
by
legendary songstress Roberta Flack.
The New York-based Grammy-winner
plans to transform two abandoned brownstones on 126th Street into
a center for liberal arts, where talented students can take classes
for free.
"There are so many young artists who have talent
but they need support," said Flack, who said her own life was changed
by a piano scholarship to Howard University when she was 15. "I
had such good teachers when I was young. I just wanted to give some
of that back."
Flack — famed for her 1973 chart-topper
"Killing Me Softly With His Song," which later became a massive
hit for the Fugees — decided to found a music school after buying
the brownstones on 126th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenue a
year and half ago.
Web Posted
- Wednesday December
12, 2004
When Steel Talks
SPOTLIGHT
- When Steel Talks - Special
In The Spotlight
Merry
Tones Steel Orchestra
Trinidad
- The Merry Tones Steel Orchestra has consistently been one of the
top twenty steelbands in Trinidad and Tobago over
the
last two decades. Born in the early nineteen-forties in the
lush rural valley of Diego Martin in northwest
Trinidad, our long and colorful history bespeaks
the earthy pride of a people and their simple determination to preserve
and pass on to the succeeding generation, the cultural heritage
that is the steelpan...
more
http://www.geocities.com/ericmctrini/index.html
Posted: Wednesday December 22, 2004 Source:
The Evening Telegram
Herkimer's steel band keeps on playing
By JESSICA ARSENAULT - Telegram
Staff Writer
HERKIMER, New York - For the past four
years, Herkimer Elementary School students have had
the unique opportunity of learning to play the steel drums.
Telegram photos/Jessica
Arsenault STEEL DRUM PERFORMANCE - The Herkimer Elementary
School's Steel Drum Band has been teaching fifth and sixth
grade students the art of playing the Trinidad-native instruments
for four years. Above, students perform for residents at
the Herkimer Folts Homes Tuesday morning. From left are
Jenna Bawolak, 10, Nicole Carbone, 10, and Instructor James
Traglia.
Under the direction
of James Traglia, general music instructor for grades kindergarten
through 12, students have been learning the basics of playing, tuning
and caring for the steel drum.
"I believe
we're the only school in Herkimer County and one of the few in the
whole area to have a steel drum program," Traglia said. The idea
came from the Utica school system, he said.
>> {full story}
Web Posted -
Monday
December 20, 2004
When Steel Talks
Onika Bostic - Burning Flames
lead female vocalist passes
Trinidad
- The talented young singer of Burning Flames succumbed to injuries
received in an early-morning car crash last Saturday.
In the recently concluded sixth annual Moods of Pan Festival, held
in Antigua, hosted by Gemonites Steel Orchestra - the music of Burning
Flames was featured in their "Five Alive" segment of the event...
[full
Story]
Web Posted -
Saturday, December 18,
2004
Special to The Roanoke Times
Let the
steel pans ring
Blacksburg is home
to an emerging interest in steel drum music.
By Catherine Copich Van Noy
The New River Valley Current
Virginia - Steel drum groups
use the term "orchestra," but little about the ensembles that are
playing today at the Lyric Theatre reflects the rigor usually associated
with the word.
Two new Blacksburg-based
steel drum orchestras are bringing their pans, as their instruments
are called, for a debut concert at 1 p.m. today. Panjammers and
Island of Pan - and the award-winning, Roanoke-based Pan-A-Mania
Steel Drum Orchestra - hope to demonstrate their skills, spread
the word about a new Blacksburg steel drum program and raise money
for local swim teams.
"We're excited, but
nervous," admitted Cameron Buss, 8, who will be playing lead pan
with Panjammers. His sister, 11-year-old Kate, will be on double
second pan in the ensemble. [full
story]
Maryland - In 2000, the art of playing
steel drums finally came to Maryland schools - more specifically,
Old Mill. Four students started the then-extracurricular band with
Michael Miller as supervisor, practicing during their lunch period.
In 2001, Steel Band became a bona-fide course, with Mr. Miller being
chosen to teach the class. Since then it has expanded into an ever-growing
part of the Old Mill music curriculum, with it going on multiple
periods a day.
Some
of the finer students in the steel drum band are allowed to come
and play together in the traveling form of the band. This band plays
multiple shows a year, traveling throughout the county and state.
Some of the places the band can list on its resume are the Anne
Arundel County Board of Education, Baltimore's Channel 13 morning
news program, Fells Point Osyterfest, and Annapolis's Midnight Madness.
[more]
Web Posted -
Friday
December 17, 2004
Tobago News
Arnold
to ensure Dem Boys goes to Music Festival
PATRICK
ARNOLD
Tobago
- Pan Trinbago President Patrick Arnold is exploring
the possibility of ensuring that Tobago's Dem Boys Steelband
makes the trip to London to participate in the World Steelband
Music Festival next year.
The Tobago News was told in a
telephone interview with Pan Trinbago's Education Officer Denise
Hernandez last Sunday that the Festival was being viewed as
one of the greatest cultural festivals ever to be hosted on
the international stage.
She disclosed that the Festival
will be staged at the Alexander Palace in London from May 29
to June 4, 2005 and will feature 20 steel bands in two semi
finals on June 1 and 2. [more]
Web Posted
- Sunday
December 12, 2004
When Steel Talks
SPOTLIGHT
- When Steel Talks - Special
The
University of Texas at
El Paso's Pandemonium
Formed in August,
1996 as a collaboration between the UTEP Departments of Music, Metallurgy,
and Physics, "Pandemonium," under the direction of Professor Larry
White, has achieved international recognition through journal articles
and performances across the United States and world. Made up of
over 30 UTEP undergraduate music majors and engineering master's
and doctoral students, the group has performed all over the El Paso
Southwest and in Cancun, Mexico, with trips planned to London, Moscow,
and Trinidad/Tobago in the near future. They play to sold-out houses
in El Paso, and for over 10,000 people at the 1998 "Music Under
the Stars" concert at the Chamizal National Memorial.
[More]
Nothing
But Bass -
*
A SPECIAL
*
Global
- They represent the foundation and attitude of the band.
Graceful, animated and powerful - the steelpan bass player brings
up the rear without hoopla and fanfare. When Steel Talks will
close out the year by turning the spotlight on the "Bassman" for
the month of December.
click to see
tribute
[bass]
dsl or better required,,, Loading time will vary depending on the
configuration of your computer....
There is still time
if you're a bass player send us a picture of you and your instrument
and be part of our year-end tribute to Bass Pan musicians globally...
Posted on Thursday,
Dec. 09, 2004
Arizona Daily Sun
Band to drum up school cash
By SARA KINCAID Sun Staff Reporter
12/08/2004
Arizona
- Last Thursday, sixth-grade students at Marshall practiced with
an instructor from Caribbean Zone, a steel drum and Trinidad performing
arts company based in Phoenix. She was there as part of a week-long
artist-in-residence at the three FUSD schools.
They played "Minuet in G" using small
mallets called sticks to hit the steel drums.
[full
story]
Illinois - Assistant Professor Rick
Kurasz is in his third year teaching at WIU and in leading the school's
steel drum band. Participants in the band actually are taking a
class, for which the only requirement is that students are able
to read music.
Students are divided into two groups to accommodate the number of
instruments needed and the space allowed. They spend the semester
memorizing the music during three 50-minute practice sessions a
week.
[full story]
Web Posted -
Wednesday,
December 8, 2004
TnT Mirror
Pan Trinbago
killing creativity
Retro Panorama Hits a bad note for arrangers
By SAMUEL DICKSON
Trinidad
- PAN TRINBAGO recently announced that steelbands will
be allowed to play tunes recorded and aired before the current
Carnival
season, for the 2005 Panorama competition.
There has been mixed reaction to this decision as no clear rules
were formally released, resulting in several unanswered questions.
Some wished to know
if many of the winning Panorama tunes of previous years, with
their classic arrangements, would be eligible.
Would we then
have bands opting to play Woman on the Bass, Rebecca, Pan
in A Minor, Woman is Boss and other such standards?
More importantly,
some have seen this move by Pan Trinbago as a direct attack
on the composers of new works, especially to those that
compose with pan in mind.
[full more]
Web Posted -
Tuesday,
December 7, 2004
When Steel Talks
British Association of Steelbands 2004
Annual Awards Report
Photos by response photographic,
Writing/info from Robbie Joseph, Pan Podium
United Kingdom -
On Saturday the 4th December
2004, the Holiday Inn, Bloomsbury was the venue for the 4th British
Association of Steelbands Annual Awards Ceremony. The event
was established in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the contributions
of individuals and groups within the steelpan community. Since
its inception, the event has grown in stature and is fast becoming
a focal point in the UK community’s calendar.
[full
story]
Web Posted -
Friday,
December 3, 2004
When Steel Talks
Pan In Africa
BOTSWANA 2004
by Hollis Clifton
Botswana,
Africa
- The
Marang Community Junior Secondary School Steelpan Ensemble is a
shining example to young people in landlocked Botswana.
In a country where 38 percent of the 1.7 million people are infected
with HIV/AIDS and a similar quantum thus affected these students
are determined to win the battle. So instead of following
their age mates and indulging in chibuku - a local beer - and being
tempted by sex these youngsters spend a whole lot of their spare
time playing the steelpan.
[more]
Web Posted -
Friday,
December 3, 2004
When Steel Talks
WALLBERG Steelband
Meeting in Switzerland
Switzerland-
The 8th Annual WALLBERG Steelband Meeting held in Volketswil-Switzerland
was again a night with good steelpan performances. Organizer Peo
Oertli-Kassim, invited four bands. Shortly before this event he
"discovered" STERLING'S ANGELS, an all band. The pannists all siblings
coming from two different families. Young ladies are between the
ages of 10 and 22, The band played Sterling Betancourt's original
and old time music.
[more]
Web Posted -
Friday,
December 3, 2004
Trinidad
Guardian
Rearranging Pan
by Peter Blood
Trinidad-
COME Panorama 2005, there will be some re-arranging as far as arrangers
go. One of the hottest commodities for C2K5 is New York-based Yohan
Popplewell, a former Panazz pannists and frontline member of Neal
& Massy Trinidad All Stars. The affable musician has been on a roll
this year and assisted Sonata’s to capture the Labour Day Panorama
title with his spicy arrangement of DeFosto’s War 2004.
Another New York-based arranger
who has been snatched up by a top local band for C2K5 is Arddin
Herbert, who will be putting down BWIA Invaders’ tune of choice.
Earl Brooks, Invaders’ arranger for the past couple years, is returning
to his old band, Hatters of south Trinidad.
PCS Starlift has also had a changing
of the guard with the legendary Leston Paul being the band’s arranger
for the upcoming Panorama.
Web Posted
- Monday,
December 6, 2004
When Steel Talks
Trinidad's Panorama
2004 In Review
Earlier this year
When Steel Talksmet with some of the movers and shakers behind the world largest
steelpan event... Click here>>
Pan Trinbago
in Pictures
Web Posted -
Thursday,
December30, 2004
Trinidad Guardian
Calypsonians not singing for pan - Arnold
Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars
arranger Leon “Smooth” Edwards, left, assistant manager Daryll Joseph,
next to Edwards, and others listen as a player practices the band’s
Panorama 2005 selection, Christopher “Tambu” Herbert’s 1989 Road
March, Free Up.
Photo: David Wears
BY
MICHAEL MONDEZIE
Trinidad - Local artistes are no longer
creating music with the pan in mind, Pan Trinbago president Patrick
Arnold has said.
“Calypsonians are more interested in brass and soca monarch than
they are in making music for the pan,” he said yesterday during
a telephone interview.
Web Posted -
Monday
December 27, 2004
When Steel Talks
Next stop Trinidad!
Town pupils will fly the flag at Caribbean carnival
United
Kingdom - Twelve happy kids from Lea Manor High School
are going to be flying the flag for Luton at Trinidad's world-famous
carnival in February.
While their schoolmates shiver, they will be soaking up all
the heat, excitement and atmosphere of what many reckon to be
the best carnival in the world.
The 15 and 16-year-olds will work with one of the island's biggest
schools on a variety of carnival preparations – and may even
get to strut their stuff in one of the two big processions that
attract thousands of visitors annually to the island. Trinidadian
Carnival is an explosive fusion of sound and colour, and to
be part of it is the opportunity of a lifetime for the youngsters.
Web Posted -
Monday
December 27, 2004
When Steel Talks
Throw The Bums Out - A Holiday
Wish...
To the
Bums who failed
to contribute to the forward progress of one of the biggest
music performance
movement
in decades, the playing of the steelpan - no winter
recess for you... It's time for you step up and
collect your award. Corporate heads of music organizations,
cultural foundations, politicians, music event sponsors and
so-called steelpan leaders who don't have an original thought
- you are unimaginative, out of time and playing in the wrong
key... You know who you are. Let's not have a repeat
performance in 2005 of your failures... And to this bunch
of not-ready-for-prime-time players you unanimously win the
When Steel Talks "Pan
Grouch" award....
Having
said that, we take this opportunity to get the "Bad" out of
the way right now as to not tarnish our
next week's focus on the great things that are being accomplished
by the steelpan music community, in terms of an overall movement
towards a commitment to excellent musicianship and appreciation
of music by people of all ages, colors and backgrounds.
Indeed, the Pan has been born out of a struggle and is the musical
instrument of the poor. It has enriched the lives of many
accross the globe. Moreover, it continues to fascinate
and capture the imagination of our young. Indeed, the
instrument continues to contribute to the increase of the quality
of life, and the uplifting of the human spirit of all those
who encounter the Pan...
[more]
Web Posted -
Monday
December 27, 2004
The Arizona Republic
Kids bang the
home-school drum
Student musicians in EV form band to showcase
skills
by Lars Jacoby
Arizona - Just
because they are home-schooled doesn't mean the teens in
the steel drum group Steeling Home aren't performing with
others.
The brainchild of Gilbert percussion instructor Josh Gottry,
the band was started five years ago to give home-schooled
kids a chance to showcase their skills.
"In fact, that's one of the neatest things about this, because
it does give them the ensemble environment," said Gottry,
30, an adjunct professor at Chandler-Gilbert Community College
who has 30-plus private students, six of whom are home-schooled.
Web Posted -
Sunday
December 26, 2004
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Ripon's musical man of steel
Steel drums lures teens to Ripon High
classes.
Manteca, California RIPON -- Ross McGinnis
is a modern pied piper. His forte is luring inquisitive youth to
music. His instrument is a steel drum.
The
use of the distinctive wok/collander-like steel drums has made his
music class at Ripon High wildly popular and has earned his aspiring
musicians invitations to perform at Disneyland.
"A
lot of the kids didn't know a note of music before they got into
class," McGinnis said. "A number of them are athletes. It takes
a lot to play the steel drums. It's pretty intense."
The
lure of the distinctive steel band sound and the unique fact that
there isn't a high school for at least 70 miles in any direction
that offers such classes, has dozens of students at Ripon High juggling
schedules as well as on waiting lists to get a chance to learn from
McGinnis. [Full
story]
Web Posted -
Friday
December 24, 2004
When Steel Talks
Martin Douglas Manager, Executive,
Panist, Educator
New York
- When
Steel Talks
continues
it's exclusive series of interviews with Martin Douglas,
the leader of Brooklyn-based Crossfire Steel Orchestra who
visited WST
studios
on a cool 2004 Autumn
afternoon. This
was a special year for the steel orchestra as they moved from the
ranks of also-rans to contenders as they placed 5th in
the hotly contested New York annual Panorama competition.
[more]
Posted: December 21, 2004 Source: IslandEvents
$12 Million for Panmen
Trinidad - A protest
by panmen was avoided when Pan Trinbago president Patrick Arnold
announced that the Ministry of Culture would increase the prize
money for Panorama 2005. The prize money would increase to $12 million
from $6.5 million.
Arnold said in addition to the $12 million assured by the minister,
some $3 million would be given for outstanding items. This brings
the amount to the $15 million as was planned. The Government also
plans to purchase a chroming plant to alleviate the hefty costs
incurred by bands.
{more}
Web Posted -
Monday
December 20, 2004
When Steel Talks
Stars In The House
Steelband Historical Treasures
Lennox Nelson,
Garvin Blake and Neville Jules at Basement Recordings
New York
- One of the advantages of working with
When Steel Talks is the ability every
now then to have access to and rub shoulders with the steelpan movement's
movers and shakers, legends and rising stars. Two of
Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra's notables Lennox Nelson
and Neville Jules, and New York's own double-seconds soloist
Garvin Blake who is a star in his own right, all dropped
by When Steel Talks
this weekend for a pan pow-wow.
Mr. Jules is one of the steelpan
movement's legendary giants. He is a soft-spoken brilliant
man whose intelligence, wit, integrity, articulate, strength and
bluntness impacts immediately on you. Moreover, what makes
Mr. Jules so great is his humility. His ability to deflect
attention from himself and to focus on and give credit to the achievements
of others, is phenomenal. It is a quality only shared by the
truly great ones who are confident in who they are and their place
in history. Indeed, this man is special. As are
most people who are true leaders. His vision and inventiveness
continue to be evident to this today.
Both Mr. Jules and Mr. Nelson
also share the uncanny ability to teach through story telling.
Dropping a reality TV-like history lesson from their personal library
of experiences with vivid color, characters' names and deeds.
It was indeed a learning adventure and an honor to listen to these
two men articulate their experience in the pan movement. These
men are resources and pan treasures that the global pan community
cannot afford to not take advantage of.
[full
story]
Web Posted -
Friday
December 17, 2004
When Steel Talks
The Business of Steelpan Music 24 -7
Indeed,
Cool Steel
usually heard
on Fridays on www.PanOnTheNet.com
is riding the crest of the soaring, partially self-created new interest
and popularity in steelpan music on the internet. Panonthenet.com
states, that while there has been enormous growth across the board
in visitors to Pan Radio, the most substantial growth has occurred
with ".edu (educational) organizations." Almost immediately
the show had established itself among regular pan music patrons.
But this new surge
among the .edu organizations suggests that
Cool Steel
is tapping into a
young new market that is technology-savvy and constantly searching
for diversity and something fresh.
Web Posted -
Friday
December 17, 2004
When Steel Talks
SPOTLIGHT
- When Steel Talks - Special
Gemonites School
of Pan
Antigua - The Gemonites
School of Pan opened its doors in 1999. The idea was initiated
for the purpose of keeping the interest in the art form alive,
as well as provide an avenue for new players to become members
of the Gemonites. More so, it is believed that this program
would act as an encouragement for the establishment of similar
programs around the island. The Gemonites also saw it as a means
of personal motivation for its and members to facilitate such
a program. It should be noted that the program was not created
with the intention of recruiting members for the band only;
as persons are free to join any band once they have learned
to play the instrument.
The objectives of this program
include helping others to develop the necessary skills/techniques
to play the pan, and develop good inter-personal skills and
self-confidence. More so it is the intention of the facilitators
of this program to provide an alternative to 'idlind' and 'liming'
for young people.
One would be most accurate
in saying that this program has returned extremely good results
and for the most part has fulfilled many its objectives. Members
of the School of Pan have performed at several concerts and
have made a number of public appearances.
[more]
Web Posted -
Monday December 13,
2004
When Steel Talks
Now Playing - Live Performances
At The Pan House - Stage 1
Web Posted -
Sunday
December 12, 2004
When Steel Talks
SPOTLIGHT
- When Steel Talks - Special
In The Spotlight
Ambridge Area High School
Steel Drum Band
Pennsylvania - The Ambridge Area High
School Steel Drum Band, under the direction of Mr. Todd Hartman,
has received local and national recognition for its outstanding
musical ability, unique style, and infectious energy. Since its
inception in 1988, the steel drum program has grown from five students
to ninety.... Their current repertoire reflects a strong commitment
to present a diverse collection of styles including traditional
calypso, swing, Latin-jazz, classical, popular, and rock. The steel
band continues to move forward and break new ground by participating
with the Ambridge Area Marching Band in the 2004 Tournament of Roses
Parade in Pasadena, California. It will mark the first time in the
115 year history of the parade that a steel band will be combined
with a marching band. This unique situation has allowed Ambridge
to commission Carnegie Mellon University’s Engineering Department
to design and fabricate custom made push-carts that will be used
to mobilize the pan players and their drums down Colorado Boulevard.
[full
story]
Web Posted -
Saturday
December 11, 2004
Virgin Island Daily News
Rollicking rhythms are contagious
at 2004 Panfest By FIONA STOKES-GIFFT
Saturday, December 11th 2004
Daily
News Photos by CRISTIAN SIMESCU The Ricardo Richards School
Pan Connection Youth Steel Symphony entertains during Panfest
at Island Center on Friday evening.
ST. CROIX - Hundreds of young steelband performers
displayed skills beyond their years as they entertained thousands
Friday night at the annual Panfest celebration at Island Center.
The more than 3,000 spectators gave the 13 bands
rousing applause from the start of the hours-long show to the close
as the performers showcased the instruments' versatility, playing
a mix of musical styles. The performers were between 5 and 18 years
old and represented schools, churches and other organizations.
[full
story]
Web Posted -
Wednesday,
December 8, 2004
When Steel Talks Exclusive
Tribute
to the Bass Players
From Gunga to Sheldon
by Khalick J. Hewitt
USA -
As tribute is paid to the bass players I want to mention some of
the popular bass players of old that I remembered. Most steelbands
had one or two popular bass players. Some steelbands, as Trinidad
All Stars, had more than three. All Stars had Spongy, Shoreland,
Rupert Alexander (Horse) and Guns. Desperadoes had Gunga Din (We
attended Rose Hill School together). City Symphony had Spongy (He
played for both All Stars and Symphony) and City Syncopators had
Russell Carter, Chubby and Ancil (We attended
Rosary Boys’ School together) (He now plays for Desperadoes).
My favorite bass player was Rupert Alexander. Rupert’s distinctive
style was short sticks and dancing while playing. He would
also touch the note after he hit it. It was a pleasure to see him
execute his style. [full
story]
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Posted on Tuesday, Dec. 07, 2004
Trinidad Express
Arson suspected
Frontline pans of Solo Knights destroyed
Members of the Solo Pan Knights Steel Orchestra salvage
the remains of their instruments after fire destroyed their panyard
on the Eastern Main Road, Barataria, yesterday. Photo: KENROY AMBRIS
Trinidad -
ARSON is suspected in an early morning fire which destroyed all
the frontline pans of the Solo Pan Knights Steel Orchestra.
The band's manager Owen Serrette said the fire at the Barataria
panyard will be a tremendous setback for the Pan Knights who have
already begun preparing for steelband Panorama in January.
Serrette also said he believes that the fire could have been set
deliberately because burnt tires found on the scene yesterday morning
were not there when he left the panyard on Sunday.
He said the band was due to start rehearsing from yesterday for
Panorama but those plans have been temporarily shelved now that
most of the band's frontline pans have been destroyed.
[more]
TRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO
Posted on Sun, Dec. 05, 2004
Miami Herald
Loud drumming blamed in musicians' hearing loss
Steel band musicians who are
part of larger ensembles risk permanent hearing loss, according
to recently released medical findings. BY MICHAEL A.W. OTTEY mottey@herald.com
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago
- The rainy season will soon end,
bringing out hundreds of steel drum players who will join into mega
bands of up to 110 musicians and practice in open spaces for Carnival's
competition in February. [more]
Web Posted -
Monday,
December 6, 2004
When Steel Talks
Web Posted -
Friday,
December 3, 2004
When Steel Talks
Something Very
Different
Antigua's 5-Alive Competition
Antigua -
Clearly an Antiguan
specialty, the 5-Alive competition is
pure entertainment: part J'Ouvert, part Ole Mas and part Panorama.
The event combines comedy, theater, drama, musicianship and
musical story telling into a unique blend of pan performances.
The large crowd clearly enjoyed themselves. There is nothing
like this anywhere else in the world.
[more]
Web Posted -
Friday,
December 3, 2004
When Steel Talks
Women in Steel
Represent New
York Big Time
Antigua -
Women In Steel
let it be known, as is said in New York ,they "ain't no joke
and are serious as a heart attack." This dynamic bunch of
young women is for real.
Furthermore, WIS showed their professionalism and mettle as they went literally
from the plane to lodgings with only time to change and back to
performance area to take the stage as soon as they walked in.
The musicians took a few minutes to check the layout of the
basses provided by host band Gemonites as WIS only traveled with
their front line instruments and two cellos. WIS then proceeded
to rock the house.
[full
story]
Web Posted -
Friday,
December 3, 2004
When Steel Talks
MOODS OF PAN
FESTIVAL 2004
Antigua
- The Sixth Annual
Gemonites'
"Moods of Pan" held in the beautiful Caribbean island of
Antigua is easily one of the better produced steelpan music events.
This year
When
Steel Talks
traveled to Antigua
to check out the event now in its sixth year. We were not
disappointed with what we found, saw and experienced.
When Steel
Talks
arrived on the second day of the four-day event. Performing
this year were steel orchestras:
New
York's Women In Steel, Trinidad's Renegades, Grenada's New Dimension,
United Kingdom's Mangrove, Antigua's Harmonites, Halcyon and Gemonites
[more]
Web Posted -
Friday,
December 3, 2004
When Steel Talks
Antigua's Gemonites
MOODS OF PAN
FESTIVAL 2004 - In Review
Four Stars And
Rising ****
Antigua -
If you're a promoter, sponsor, investor, performing artist,
steelpan music enthusiast or a tourist just looking for a good time,
this was the festival for you.
When Steel Talks
took a critical look at Antigua's 2004 Moods of Pan Festival
produced by Gemonites Steel Orchestra and its potential for future
growth. [more]
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.jpg)
the
last two decades. Born in the early nineteen-forties in the
lush rural valley of Diego Martin in northwest
Trinidad, our long and colorful history bespeaks
the earthy pride of a people and their simple determination to preserve
and pass on to the succeeding generation, the cultural heritage
that is the steelpan...
Trinidad
- The talented young singer of Burning Flames succumbed to injuries
received in an early-morning car crash last Saturday.
In the recently concluded sixth annual Moods of Pan Festival, held
in Antigua, hosted by Gemonites Steel Orchestra - the music of Burning
Flames was featured in their "Five Alive" segment of the event...
[
Some
of the finer students in the steel drum band are allowed to come
and play together in the traveling form of the band. This band plays
multiple shows a year, traveling throughout the county and state.
Some of the places the band can list on its resume are the Anne
Arundel County Board of Education, Baltimore's Channel 13 morning
news program, Fells Point Osyterfest, and Annapolis's Midnight Madness.
be allowed to play tunes recorded and aired before the current
Carnival
season, for the 2005 Panorama competition.
t
was established in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the contributions
of individuals and groups within the steelpan community. Since
its inception, the event has grown in stature and is fast becoming
a focal point in the UK community’s calendar.
[
carnival in February.
movement
in decades, the playing of the steelpan - no winter
recess for you... It's time for you step up and
collect your award. Corporate heads of music organizations,
cultural foundations, politicians, music event sponsors and
so-called steelpan leaders who don't have an original thought
- you are unimaginative, out of time and playing in the wrong
key... You know who you are. Let's not have a repeat
performance in 2005 of your failures... And to this bunch
of not-ready-for-prime-time players you unanimously win the
When Steel Talks
"Pan
Grouch" award....
studios
on a cool 2004 Autumn
afternoon. This
was a special year for the steel orchestra as they moved from the
ranks of also-rans to contenders as they placed 5th in
the hotly contested New York annual Panorama competition.
[
steelpan music enthusiast or a tourist just looking for a good time,
this was the festival for you.
When Steel Talks
took a critical look at Antigua's 2004 Moods of Pan Festival
produced by Gemonites Steel Orchestra and its potential for future
growth. [