AMP, Halcon celebrates 25


by Tahna Weston

Antigua - As Antigua & Barbuda celebrates 25 years of nationhood, two leading institutions recently observed significant milestones of their own.

Antigua Masonry Products, the country’s oldest aggregate company and nine-time panorama champions Halcyon Steel Orchestra are similarly celebrating 25 years of unbroken partnership.

To commemorate this milestone, a number of activities have been planned throughout the year.

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What Mr Arnold's new mandate means

Trinidad - THAT Patrick Arnold was returned on Sunday as the president of the steelband organisation, Pan Trinbago, is surely no cause for comfort for Mr Arnold and the other members of his new executive.

Going into the elections, which took place during the organisation's annual general meeting in Port of Spain, Mr Arnold faced a deeply divided leadership

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$10m for Pan Trinbago

Trinidad - GOVERNMENT has agreed to pump $10 million into Pan Trinbago to facilitate the completion of its Trincity headquarters and the setting up a chrome factory at the same venue.

This was disclosed to scores of delegates yesterday by the organisation's secretary Richard Forteau during the annual general meeting held at Crowne Plaza, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.

As a result of the large turnout of delegates the meeting was shifted to the ballroom from the Calypso Lounge on the 12 th Floor.

Preliminary results issued late yesterday indicated that Patrick Arnold was returned to the post of President, Clarence Mitchell elected as Vice President and Forteau returned as secretary of the organisation.

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Patrick Arnold Wins!!
Returns As Pan Trinbago's President
Breaking News

Trinidad - Patrick Arnold has won an unprecedented fourth consecutive term as president of Pan Trinbago, the world governing body for pan. At elections held Sunday October 29, 2006 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, Arnold trounced his rival, Keith Byer, the organization's former vice president in a bitter defeat of one hundred eighty-two votes to Byer's fifty-four. Speaking after the elections, Arnold said that his opponents did an "injustice" to the pan body with their campaign tactics, and he would now implement "damage control." Clarence Mitchell, one of the organization's new officers, is Pan Trinbago's new vice president.

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The Netherlands Police Steelband
In The Spotlight

The Netherlands - The police steelband of the Netherlands originally was formed in 1979.  The members of the steelband were all employees of the police forces and also members of the Dutch State Police Band.  The formation of the Netherlands Police Steelband was greatly due to the fact that the percussionists of the Dutch State Police Band wanted to expand their knowledge of music and wished to find a new outlet in which to utilize their musical skills.  They found in steelpan and steelpan music the ultimate way to do so.

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Ex-band leader gets 15 months for trysts with teenage girl

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Tribute To Clive Bradley
A Von Martin Production

The Man and his Music

A "Tribute To Clive Bradley" by Von Martin is an absolute, must-listen for any steelpan music enthusiast or historian, as master arranger Clive Bradley reveals his approach to panorama, his thoughts on the steelpan instrument and his special relationship with the extraordinary people of Laventille, Trinidad, and their penchant for success.  In addition, Dr.  Pat Bishop, one of the most respected musical minds and ethnomusicologists in the Caribbean, provides an intense analysis of Bradley - the man and his work - in the context of Trinidad society and the larger global setting.

Von Martin has produced a very special tribute to Clive Bradley that in addition to highlighting the master's musical brilliance, showcases his social awareness and consciousness, his genius, and his humanity. On behalf of the global steelband community When Steel Talks salutes Von Martin for this production and his availing of it for future generations of musicians to learn of the life and times of master musician and arranger Clive Bradley.

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 Pan Podium Magazine
Setting New Standards

United Kingdom - In a relatively short timeframe, PanPodium has become simply the finest steelpan/steelband print magazine to date. Pan Podium is the Official Magazine of the British Association of Steelbands (BAS), the publisher.  The magazine captures the steelpan instrument and the spirit of its players in vivid color, as no other print publication has ever done before. The bi-annual publication is the brainchild of Robbie Joseph, the editor.  Mr. Joseph is also the PRO of the British Association of Steelbands  and the creator of PanPodium website.

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 Culture suffering from neglect, claims panman

Trinidad - Pan Trinbago North Zone Chairman, Keith Diaz, is calling on the Ministry of Culture to handle the affairs of culture in Trinidad and Tobago. Diaz said he he feels “culture is not getting its just due,” and to prove his point, he said, “Carnival is three months away and we don’t know where it will be held. How can I, as the head of the North Zone, make plans for next year? I am having difficulties putting my diary of events together.” Diaz is of the view that culture is too wide in scope to be “dumped” together with other ministries. He said, “Is not that I have anything against Community Development or Gender Affairs, but I wish Joan Yuille - Williams was Minister of Culture only. She could be very good in culture.”

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 'Schools' panorama set for tomorrow

Antigua -  Preparations are in top gear for the staging of the Schools' Panorama Competition – an event forming part of this year’s Independence Silver Jubilee celebrations. Steel Band Coordinator in the Culture Department and the organizer of the competition, Barbara Mason, said five schools will participate this year, two down from the original seven, which should have participated. She explained that All Saints Secondary has dropped out due to personal reasons and there is uncertainty, as to Green Bay Primary’s participation. “Plans are coming along alright; but we have experienced just a little hitch here and there."

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Steelpan and Jazz Festival
Takes Flight
Free Community Concert Draws Music Lovers
 

Trinidad - The amphitheatre in St. James was about half full at the beginning of the 2006 Steelpan and Jazz concert series.  Starting promptly at 7:30 PM, it was about seven minutes later, after the national anthem and introductions by Mistress of Ceremonies Sharon Pitt, when the first of the event's two ensembles took the stage.

John Arnold and a circle of five Friends, featuring Arnold on keyboard, opened up with a mellow feel to the festival on a slightly overcast evening that held the threat of showers soon to come.  The ensemble went through much of the material available on its new CD, 'Smooth Jazzy Feelings.'  With Desmond Graham on double tenor, their set included a track called Katrina, and two vocal numbers - Sweetest Taboo and 'Swonderful', both vocalized by Lynette Louis, a mainstay with Arnold for about twenty-two years.  The group struck a unique balance in mood, just right for those who had made their way to the show straight from work, yet not focusing on very up-tempo fare to jar its other audience - those who had come simply to enjoy some steelpan and jazz-influenced music.  There was time enough for 'hot' numbers which would be sampled with the ensemble up next.  By the time John Arnold and Friends took their leave to appreciative applause, the amphitheater was almost full.

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Steelband Site Ring
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When Steel Talks site ring dedicated to Steelband/Steelpan businesses, associations and organizations.

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The Art of [Pan] Tuning is Alive
with Andy 'Mad Max' Neils
In the Spotlight

Trinidad - One of the pan tuning greats Lincoln 'Delgado' Noel has recently passed, but the art of tuning the steelpan instrument is alive and the torch is passionately carried by some of the other greats of his generation, including Bertrand 'Birch' Kelman, Wallace Austin and Bertie Marshall, to mention just a few.  And then there are those of the 'next' generation - such as Andy 'Mad Max' Neils.  'Max' as he is also known, is one of the most sought-after pan-tuners in the world, regularly declining job offers to tune entire orchestras and even individual pan instruments, both at home in Trinidad and Tobago, and abroad.  The likes of Desperadoes, Exodus, Invaders, Skiffle Bunch and CASYM (New York) steel orchestras, and many more in the US Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Aruba and Antigua - all bear the mark (and sounds) of his expert skills.

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Members of the Steelband Community celebrate Carifesta IX and Feature Historical Highlights of The Steelband Movement

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad - Members of the steelband community again were part of the Carifesta IX celebrations when an event featuring both the voices of pan and its Elders, simultaneously hosted visiting members of the Jamaican Carifesta IX contingent.  The venue was the panyard of Renegades Steel Orchestra in Port-of-Spain.

The community fest was slated to begin at 5:00 PM, and many people were milling around beforehand; the stageside steel orchestras who would be playing during the evening were putting things in place for their respective performances.   Veteran pan musicians, there in the beginning when Renegades steel orchestra decided on its name, were now considered 'Elders' (pictured right)  and they too were present for the upcoming mini-dialogue on the band's history, which was a key item on the event's agenda.  In the meantime though, they roamed around the panyard, renewing acquaintances with others who they had not seen in some time.  It proved the perfect time for When Steel Talks (WST) to have a quick one-on-one with Renwick 'Rico' Alexander, one of the founding members of Renegades.  Rico (below left, in red) told WST  he had been all of fourteen years old at the time.  He added that though the band's name was officially acquired around 1947 or 1948, he emphasized that they 'used to play pan before that, since 1945' - just not as Renegades.  Now in his seventies, Rico remained a tenor player with the band until a few years ago, and later enjoyed taking a picture beside one the band's current tenor players as they performed.  Another founding member, Newton James (below center), also took time out for a few moments with WST.

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The bloody art of longtime badjohns
In the mirror of violence...

Trinidad - Invaders Steelband, strong and sweet, rounds the corner off Park and wheels into Charlotte to lay the wood on Trinidad All Stars.

On their turf.

Not to worry. It's a small matter about music.

But a larger matter looms. Tokyo Steel band, a stubborn pain, is in the way.

It's now life and death.

Both bands freeze. The irons grow cold. There's no countdown to a Steelband clash. It's on when the blood boils, and the bands are mere seconds from committing mayhem in All Stars' flower bed.

Just then, as if a bugle had sounded, Casablanca, an Invaders ally, swings from Observatory Street and falls in behind Invaders. They are the blocking force. It's a classic military tactic as old as warfare. Invaders would later say the battle was planned. But ambushes are meticulously detailed.  

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Caribbean and South American countries take center stage at Carifesta IX
 

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad - On any given night, a myriad of pulsating sounds and rhythms, activities and side events, as well as booths filled with attractive wares from participating countries, all vied for the attention of Carifesta visitors to the Grand Market.  The history, culture, and way of life of neighboring Caribbean and South American countries found expression through their music, dance, drama, art and culinary dishes from September 22 - October 1, at different locales throughout Trinidad and Tobago, of which the Grand Market was the main venue.  People were thus given many ways to 'visit' with their regional neighbors without actually traveling to the respective countries.

Of the many sights and sounds, every night visitors to the Grand Market could enjoy the music of the steelpan, the national instrument of the host country.  As attendees stopped to stare at the 'blue devil' characters portraying an integral part of the Carnival culture, the sound of the St. James Tripolians steelband lured people away to look up at them on the elevated platform, where they were housed for the Carifesta festivities. 

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Panyard Sensations 2006
at Pan Knights
 

Trinidad - Although there was more than one steelpan event around town on the evening of September 30 - Panyard Sensations, the finale - in the 2006 Pan Trinbago-organized series held throughout the country, drew a crowd of spectators, steelpan and culture lovers - all seeking the perfect way to unwind after their work week, and looking to start the weekend off with a bang.

Slated to perform were hosts Pan Knights Steel Orchestra, Santa Cruz Panjammers, Malick Folk Performers, Shiv Shakti and Juenes Agape Youth Choir and more.  A prelude and show build-up including Pan Round de Neck, carnival characters and more along a special section of the Eastern Main Road was also part of the events.

 When Steel Talks (WST) popped in for the latter part of the activities when hosts Pan Knights were on stage, following up on Santa Cruz Panjammers who were taking their leave. A powerful vocal performance by a very capable young woman followed Pan Knights' performance, with Malick Folk Performers holding the audience's attention immediately after.  

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WHAT’S IN A NAME AT QRC JAZZ FEST

How steelbands got their names remains one of the more fascinating facets of pan-lore, and the six orchestras that will play during next week at three free community concerts put on by the Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan and Jazz Festival and its finale, are among those with the most intriguing stories in this regard.  

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Panorama Steel Orchestra
Pan Classics

Regarded as the best steel orchestra in Japan, Panorama Steel Orchestra is led by producer, arranger and composer Yoshihiro Harada.

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Pan and More Pan at Carifesta IX
- Premiere Orchestras on Display at Jean Pierre Complex

Steel Orchestras at the complex- in Pictures

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad - On any given night during the Carifesta IX event recently concluded in Trinidad and Tobago, one could find the presence of the national instrument somewhere on the grounds of the Grand Market.  But there was one night where it took pride of place at the Jean Pierre Complex adjacent to the Grand Market, with some of the country's best orchestras doing what comes naturally for them - putting on a fantastic show for all who had the good fortune to be in attendance.

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Curtain Call at Carifesta IX

The Scenes - in Pictures

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad - The closing ceremony of Carifesta IX was a public spectacle for all who made their way to the Hasely Crawford Stadium on the evening of October 1.  From the performance of Exodus Steel Orchestra on the grounds under blazingly brilliant lights - (one of their selections was aptly entitled 'Celebrate') - to the farewell appearances and performances from the contingents who were spotlighted for the better part of eight days, it all culminated here.  It was an especially triumphant time for the contingent from the Bahamas, who proudly received the mandate to host Carifesta X in their country.  That event is scheduled for 2008.

And while many eyes were fixed on the activities taking place in the stadium, When Steel Talks (WST) was more than content to prowl around on the sidelines and behind the scenes, documenting some of the groups as they awaited their turn in the spotlight one last time for Carifesta IX, as well as the attendant crowds.  Some never got around to the stadium for the gala, as many had made their way to the Grand Market for a type of 'las lap' visit, opting to check out the booths as vendors showed off their wares - some at sale prices - in and around the market before the 2006 event closed for the final time.

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BHS steel drummers get to shine
Band to perform at First Night Virginia

BINGHAMTON -- The sound of steel drum bands is associated with warm breezes, sunny days and Caribbean islands.

That's not exactly what springs to mind when you think of Binghamton, especially on January days when you're scraping ice and snow off your car windows.

But a Binghamton High School music ensemble will bring this tropical sound to Charlottesville, Va., on New Year's Eve. Organizers of First Night Virginia, an event celebrating art and community, have booked the 14-member Binghamton High School steel drum band to perform as part of this year's festivities. The festivities will mark the 25th anniversary for First Night Virginia, which is the second oldest First Night in the country.

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Steel band on the road again

Pandemonium Steel Jamm Band will be on the road again this Pirates Week thanks to support from Digicel.

A recent donation by the telecommunications company is intended to rebuild the float the band used in past Pirates Week parades, said a Digicel press release.

The float was badly damaged in 2004 by Hurricane Ivan and has since been out of commission..

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Keron Valentine
Boogsie Protégé In The Spotlight

He attended Fatima College where he studied Business Management at A levels and started an International Business Major with a minor in Marketing at the University of Akron. In April 2005, he performed with Mia Gormandy who is at North Illinois University with Liam Teague studying music. In April 2006, he performed with Robbie Greenidge at E. J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall in Ohio. He feels this experience has afforded him a greater confidence in performing.  Keron stated, ‘Robbie makes playing pan look so simple even though he plays at the highest level.’

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Phase II
Pan Classics

The date is April 16, 2005. The place is the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain, Trinidad - the home of the steelpan. The event is the annual Pan In The 21st Century competition produced by Pan Trinbago, the governing body of the steelbands. Present are the greatest steelbands and arrangers/composers on the planet.

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Rising star grabs DSO's baton for three concerts

Detroit - When Kwame Ryan was a little boy, growing up in Trinidad, he already knew what he wanted to be one day. A conductor.

OK, he also wanted to be a lawyer. For that matter, at age 9 he dreamed of becoming a doctor, too. But it was music and the idea of conducting that kept recapturing the child's imagination. Eventually, he even got the chance to play Mozart and Tchaikovsky symphonies -- in a steel drum band.

Ryan, now 36 and enjoying a spotlighted conducting career in Europe, comes to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Thursday on a triumphal trek across the podiums of several major American orchestras. Which might lead any curious mind to wonder how one gets from playing Mozart on steel drums to presiding over a more conventional version of Symphony No. 25 in G minor, which Ryan offers with the DSO.

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Pan Trinbago’s convention carded for Oct 29

Trinidad - The Triennial Convention of Pan Trinbago comes off on Sunday October 29, 2006 at Crowne Plaza.

Ian Clarke, Assistant Secretary of Pan Trinbago has reminded all pannists to attend the convention since it was of critical importance to the future of Pan Trinbago.

Carded on the agenda is the election of officers to serve on the Central Executive, in addition to the growing concerns in certain quarters among some steelbands over the management of the Pan organization. Some of the issues which will be addressed are, the incomplete Pan Trinbago Headquarters in Trincity, the controversy over the World Steelband Music Festival held in New York in 2005 and matters of financial management.

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The Chinese Steelpan Ensemble - part of the great Bicentennial Celebration of the Chinese presence in Trinidad and Tobago

San Fernando, Trinidad - The Chinese community in Trinidad and Tobago celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of their arrival on the shores of Trinidad and Tobago this year on October 12.  It is the first time that the community has had an official holiday to commemorate their arrival, and they have made much use of the opportunity in the weeks and months prior to the great day, proudly showcasing the talent of their people, their influences by, and in turn impact on, Trinbagonian life and culture.  

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History of St. Lucia’s
North Stars Steel Orchestra

The Panman Legacy

St. Lucia - Somewhere in the 1940’s a young man named Lennard “Scrubb” Wellington, started on his way to become St. Lucia’s steelband maestro. He had experimented with music from the age of seven and his real interest in pan started after World War 2 when a number of expatriate soldiers, their families and some locals were celebrating the end of the war.

Scrubb recalls the first tenor pan was given to his friend Bannfè, by a sailor from a ship that docked in the then-Prince Alfred Basin. He could not resist the sweet sound of the pan and immediately went to have a go at it. The ship’s crew was amazed to hear Scrubb and on their next voyage brought him back a new second pan.

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St. Lucia’s PanTime Steel Orchestra
In The Spotlight

St. Lucia - It is indeed a reality that the Pantime Steel Orchestra has come a very long way. Reflecting on the first panorama outing for the band, it seems so long ago. It was in 2001 that Pantime performed in their fist National Panorama Competition, utilizing the abilities of the youngest arranger Andre McIntosh age 17 ever to arrange in that competition and while the band placed last, the showing was applauded by all. It was said then that great things could be expected from this band which functioned not just as a band but more as a group. Over the years the band has met many of these expectations.

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Rainbow Pan Delights Botswana Independence Celebrations

Botswana - On Saturday 30th September Rainbow High School Steelpan Ensemble joined the rest of Botswana in staging the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Independence from the British. As is the norm, the event was filled with all the pomp and ceremony expected by the people. The three institutional orchestras were in their glory – the Police, the Prisons, and the Defence Force bands.

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There are musical compositions, arrangements, and performances that are undeniably musical gems. Moreover they are true classics that have weathered the test of time. These classics continue to shine irrespective of the era, changes in musical taste or technology. Classics have global enduring qualities, which by definition have lasting significance. Desperadoes - Rebecca, All Stars - Woman On The Bass, Starlift - Penny Lane, North Stars - Poets and Peasants Overture , Phase II - Feeling Nice, Renegades - Pan Night and Day, Pantonic - Stranger, Garvin Blake - Footprints, Robbie Greenidge - Stardust, Rudy 'Two Left' Smith - Body and Soul, Emmanuel 'Jack' Riley - Melody in F to name a few - are representative of signature songs that automatically bring recognition for steelpan music aficionados. When Steel Talks begins it's Pan Classics series as we travel the globe to provide musical snippets of signature pieces from artists and bands, that, in addition to being great music, have historical significance along the global steelpan time continuum.

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Carifesta Village, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad - The multiple nations in and around the Caribbean geographic area have displayed the culture, artistic talents, and openness of their respective peoples for the Carifesta IX event in Trinidad and Tobago.  On the main stage each country, including hosts T&T, was allocated between sixty and ninety minutes nightly to highlight some of the best culture and talent they had to offer.  Antigua and Barbuda's turn came on Saturday evening, and they played to a full house, as all seating in front of the stage was accounted for.  Incidentally one of those seats proved extremely lucrative to one young lady later on, when documentation for the first prize of a raffle - a weekend trip for two to Antigua & Barbuda - was found on the underside of one of the chairs!

This was definitely a more rewarding time for Antigua & Barbuda; two nights previously the contingent was scheduled to take the stage, and had in fact been at Carifesta Village since 8:15 PM, all ready to perform supposedly within half hour.  But as late as 10:45 PM, the group still had not had their opportunity.  Dominica was performing when they arrived, then the Guyanese contingent who arrived late, followed Dominica.  And they were still performing for the Carifesta IX audience while Antigua & Barbuda stood about dejectedly.  There was a mixture of emotion from the contingent of youngsters and adults: frustration, disappointment, resignation and yet hopefulness, among them.

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Trinidad - The group was specially invited to perform by the Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Joan Williams, who during her remarks extended heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the group.

The group rendered four songs and at the end, the most youthful audience was begging them for more.

However, Pan Development Officer in the Ministry of Culture, Auburn Wiltshire said within one year some 540 youths have been trained.

“It was a vision of Minister Joan Williams to go into the high-risk communities and use the pan as a catalyst to give some of the kids an opportunity for development.

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United Kingdom - The evening of September 22nd saw Trafalgar Square lit up by an open air concert of Calypso, Pan and Dance as the final part of the programme put on by the T&T Trade Mission which toured five nations — Republic of Ireland, Germany, Spain, France and United Kingdom—between September 5-23.

Rain poured all day on the 22nd of September and as if blessed by the Almighty the rains ended at around 4:00 p.m. to enable this energetic, cultural and awe inspiring performance by Kenny J, Pink Panther, Denyse Plummer, Exodus Steel Orchestra and the culturally dressed dancers.

Sagicor Exodus Steel Orchestra opened the programme around 5.30 pm playing Sniper’s, ‘Portrait of Trinidad & Tobago’ and continued with popular tunes from the Mighty Sparrow and Lord Kitchener’s repertoires.

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Legendary pan tuner laid to rest

MEMBERS OF THE local pan fraternity turned out in large numbers yesterday to pay final tribute to renowned steelpan tuner Lincoln “Delgado” Noel at his funeral service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

“We are not here to mourn but to celebrate a life that was worthwhile. One of our icons has died but in spite of our sadness and mourning we are here to celebrate a life not defined by longevity but a life that was lived in the service of others,” declared Dean Knolly Clarke in his homily.

Dean Clarke, who described Lincoln as “one of the great sons of the nation,” said he hoped that whenever Pan Trinbago and the Government establishes a hall of fame Lincoln Noel would be remembered there. Lincoln was described as “the best tuner to walk on this planet” by fellow tuner Nestor Sullivan.

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