When Steel Talks Full Coverage

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad - Having been penalised for excessive players and subsequently failing to secure a top three position at this year’s National Panorama Finals, Sagicor Exodus Steel pan Orchestra has begun regrouping in preparation for next year’s Carnival season.

Despite rumours of legal action against Carnival officials, Exodus First Captain, Anthony Rose said the band has accepted the decision made by officials.

In speaking with SKNVibes.com he said, “It was a competition and you always have to go with the judge’s decision which is final. With regard to the regulations concerning the number of players in the large band category this year they brought the figure down from 120 to 100 players.

“That decision was kind of controversial and that affected our performance even though we still performed well. However, some players didn’t get to play and they just had to stand on stage and that was hard.”
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Trinidad, W.I. - The format of a panorama tune has evolved because of the early innovations of arrangers who actually gave the judges ideas for the categories of judging. Today some arrangers get so caught up in following the rules that their creativity is sometimes stifled. If one sticks to the idea of knowing that the judging is based on four main categories (arrangement, performance, quality of sound, and rhythm), then one can allow the creative juices to flow naturally.

To understand how the format of a Panorama arrangement evolved one must briefly study the early masters of arranging. To begin with the musical selections of the first panorama tunes were not that harmonically or melodically difficult. This gave room for the arranger to think about how to lengthen the tune into a steelpan arrangement.
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Trinidad, W.I. - Carnival 2009 may be over but this coming Saturday will be ‘pantastic’ as Pan Trinbago stages its after-carnival event featuring some of the best there is to offer in Pan, Calypso and Mas.

Aptly titled “Pantastic Saturday……Crème de la Crème,” the all-star show is carded for Saturday 28th February 2009 at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain, and is scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m.

Sharing top billing are four of the country’s steelbands accompanying an equal number of calypso icons. These include bp Renegades featuring H2OPhlo, WITCO Desperadoes and Sparrow, Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars and Shadow, TCL Group Skiffle Bunch with Black Stalin.
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Trinidad, W.I. - According to de ole kaiso "Ah wasn dey, Ah wasn dey" but ah still see it an hear it doh. If yuh see me. I in meh duster, two pair'ah socks, vicks all up nearly in meh pweffen. Ah coughin an sneezin an watchin dat gawdforsaken snow fallin outside as if to say 'Yuh wretch! Yuh born in a nice warm country an still yuh take yuh farse self an migrate to Icebox Land? Now watch. Is carnival in T&T an you stick up so wid a cole an fever. Cyah even buss open a Carib self. Yuh radio stations only playin "Put A Ring Inside It" an de Best Of De Moron Tabaracle Choir. It good fuh yuh!"

Meh macoomere call meh an give me de internets link to CTNT World so ah could watch de Panorama. By de time ah titivate I did done miss Sound Setters an most of Exodus. Ah come in time to hear de last 4 bars but ah settle mehself to hear toute monde after dat.

Well all yuh done know meh mout have no lock when it come to Toronto's Pan Alive an pan in general. Ah does get boof back belly an side but ah does talk meh mine because as far as I see it, Pan belongings to me. Is mine, I born it, meh nabel string bury under it, it in meh blood, meh head an meh DNA. When ah dead ah coming back as a bass pan.
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Georgetown, Guyana -  “Mashramani Pan-O-Rama” was the theme of the Republic Bank Mashramani Steel Pan competition, held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall last Saturday night, which thrilled hundreds.

The evening began with the warm remarks of the Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Dr. Frank Anthony.

He said that he was happy to see that the ‘art of steel pan’ music is finally coming back, since for some time now it has been a dying art form in Guyana.

The Minister also noted that the Ministry has invested heavily in promoting and building the art of steel pan music.

“This particular competition had at least twenty plus bands prior that were interested in this competition.”

However, only 15 bands competed on Saturday night.

The Minister said that the Republic Bank has been a “great partner” with the Ministry for this competition and expressed hope that the partnership between the two entities continues to be the defining force that will develop the art of steel pan music.
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Ohio, USA -  The University of Akron’s Steel Drum Band is one of the nation’s oldest collegiate panorama-style steel bands. When Dr. Larry Snider founded the band in 1980, there were only two other collegiate steel drum ensembles in the United States.


The ensemble of more than 20 percussion majors is dedicated to the musical art form of Trinidad and educating audiences about the history of pan. It has become a major force in the cultural and entertainment community of Akron and Cleveland.

The band’s first milestone came in 1983 when it recorded the album “Puttin’ the Shoes On!”
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Trinidad, W.I. -  With a score of 469 Silver Stars Steel Orchestra became the new champions of the large bands category in the Trinidad and Tobago steelband panorama competition. They edged out the defending champions Phase II Pan Groove by a point. This victory is the first real major panorama title for Silver Stars; they have triumphed before, but in the medium category when overall categorization was first introduced in 2004. Their tune of choice for 2009 was “First In De Line” which was written by their arranger Edwin Pouchet.

The Silver Stars win ended the virtual lock that Phase II, All Stars and Exodus have had on the top three places in recent years.  
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Trinidad, W.I. - The stars came out, and they did shine!! Silver Stars Steel Orchestra, that is. Making history as they did so, the band which calls Tragarete Road in Woodbrook, Trinidad their home, had three “firsts” at the end of the competition.

And at the end of the night, scoring 469 points, they emerged ahead of the pack, and, first. Not bad for a  ‘first’ in the big band arena - the first time, that is, in which a band has moved up from the medium category to that of the large - (where Silver Stars also  competed in 2008) - and triumphed.  The orchestra previously contended in the former category from 2004–2007...With a mere point separating Silver Stars and last year’s winners, Phase II Pan Groove, it was just enough to tip the scales in favor of the new title-holders, and for the trophy and million-dollar (TT) prize purse to be handed over to them.
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Trinidad, W.I. - La  Horquetta (LH) Pan Groove topped a field of 16 small steelbands to win the Single Pan Bands National Finals hosted by Pan Trinbago at South Quay on Friday night.

Coming second was the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Band, while Trinidad East Side Symphony of Malick came third, Arima’s Trinidad Nostalgic was fourth and La Creole Pan Groove of La Puerta Avenue in Diego Martin was fifth. Each band typically had less than 50 members.
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Trinidad, W.I. - A last ditch effort to be included in the final list of steelbands playing in last night’s Panorama finals at the Queen’s Park Savannah was shut down during an arbitration yesterday.

The claim was brought jointly by NLCB Fonclaire Steelband and Tropical Angel Harps Steelband, against Pan Trinbago, in a marathon sitting from 6 pm Friday to 2 am yesterday.

But arbitrator Anabelle Sooklal Boynes dismissed the application by the steelbands in a ruling delivered yesterday afternoon, stating that Pan Trinbago was not wrong in their decision to postpone the semi-finals in Tobago.
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PanRadio

Trinidad and Tobago - Unlike the old days when panorama competitions ran much later into the wee hours of the morning, results for the finals of the medium and small steel orchestra categories were signed off on and delivered by 1:00 a.m. Yohan Popwell, arranging Bandoleros for Sforzata Steel Orchestra in the medium category, renewed his winning ways with the band, leading them in 2009 to their third championship title in five years with 473 points.

Not to be outdone in skill, passion or exuberance, the small steel orchestras also shone for the evening, with arranger Terrence “BJ” Marcelle ably steering Arima Golden Symphony to 439 points and the winning spot, with his arrangement and the orchestra’s execution of A Blue Crescendo - a decision that was well-received by the crowd.
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Trinidad and Tobago - Amrit Samaroo, son of composer/steel band arranger extraordinaire, Dr. Jit Samaroo said that he is treating his 2009 panorama arrangement for the Bp Renegades Steel Orchestra, a song entitled Dr. Jit that was composed and sung by Winston (The Original DeFosto) Scarborough, as a celebration of his father’s contribution to the Renegades, the national panorama competition and to the music of Trinidad and Tobago in general. According to young Samaroo, the arrangement features quotations from his father’s work over the years that anyone familiar with Jit's music and with the classic Renegades sound should be able to identify.

USA - The best you can say about anything is that it is the greatest in the world. Greatness is an absolute distinction that shouldn’t be measured or taken lightly. And it is in such regard that this writer must take issue with a New York daily which, several months ago, touted Desperadoes as the greatest steel band in the world. Now, hype is hype, but “pan talk” is a serious preoccupation in down-to-earth Trinidad and Tobago, the land of, well, the greatest steel bands in the world. And, there’s the rub.
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Trinidad & Tobago - With a score of 463 points bp Renegades Youth captured the 21 & Under category championship title in Trinidad & Tobago’s annual National Junior Panorama. Mt. Hope Secondary, with a score of 426.5 won the 16 & Under category. Top honors in the youngest category - 13 & Under - went to St. Margaret’s Boys’ A.C.

The day was filled with very, very impressive musical performances by the youth steel orchestras. Not even the periodic rain showers could dampen the exuberance, enthusiasm and energy that these talented young people brought to the stage today.
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United Kingdom - During the following year they put together a repertoire and Pantastic starting receiving requests to perform at community events and as the band’s popularity grew, civic occasions were added to the community events. In 1996 and 1997 Pantastic travelled to London to take part in The National Festival of Music for Youth finals after qualifying in local heats.

As the band developed further they played for VI P’s such as Sir Jack Charlton, Tony Blair and Sir Jimmy Savile to name but a few, we asked if they would sign the pans so it became a tradition for celebrities to sign a pan. The band was also given the opportunity to play for Royalty, for the Queen and Prince Phillip when they were on their Golden Jubilee tour in Sunderland and for Prince Charles when he opened the National Glass Centre in Sunderland

Trinidad & Tobago - The 2009 Trinidad and Tobago Junior National Panorama competition has ended, with triumphant pan musicians in each of its three conventional orchestra categories.

Mt. Hope Secondary, with a score of 426.5 won the 16 & Under category, while in the 21 & Under arena bp Renegades Youth shone with a score of 463 points. The participants in the youngest category, 13 & Under, were not to be left out as St. Margaret’s Boys’ A.C. took top honors there with 480 points.
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Trinidad & Tobago - From WITCO Desperadoes.

WITCO Desperadoes wishes to categorically disassociate itself from reports in the media referring to statements alleged to have been made by our arranger Robert Greenidge with regard to a call for foreign Panorama judges. We wish to emphatically state that no such statements were made by Robert Greenidge, nor did any such emanate from any other member of the band. We recognize the extreme difficulties of judging a Panorama competition and have always accepted the fact that ‘the decisions of the judges are final’.

Netherlands - The Dutch Police Steelband is no longer a member of the National Corps Police Orchestra. It is now a Musical Unit within the Dutch Police Department.

 The National Police Orchestra was founded in 1949 and exists as a Harmony Orchestra and a Marching band. In early 1979, the drummers of the Marching Band wanted to expand their music knowledge and were searching for another music form which had to be united with the Marching Band owing to its knowledge and rhythm. Steelband music was soon discovered. At that time all their members were Policemen. Nowadays, the Police Steelband is no longer a member of the National Corps Police Orchestra. It is now a Musical Unit within the Dutch Police Department.

Trinidad & Tobago - The initial phase of Trinidad and Tobago’s Junior National Panorama competition is over, with twenty-one orchestras - ten in the 21 & Under, five in the 16 & Under and six in the 13 & Under categories, respectively, moving on.

Mt. Hope Secondary, Bishop Anstey/Trinity College East and St. Margaret’s Boys’ A.C. Steel Orchestras are presently ahead in the 16 & Under category, while the 21 & Under arena has St. Augustine Senior Comprehensive, bp Renegades Youth and Trinity All Generation Steel orchestras leading going into the finals, which take place on Sunday 15 February at the Queen's Park Savannah, in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

Trinidad & Tobago - Trinidad and Tobago’s annual National Steelband Panorama Finals which returns to the “Big Yard” for 2009, will be staged in two parts.

The first will see the Small and Medium Conventional Bands in a National Panorama Finals of its own. After several weeks of preliminary judging at the various panyards and a national semi-final round, the final eight in each category are ready to do battle. Sixteen (16) steel orchestras are listed to compete in the two categories on Wednesday 18th February 2009 at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, from 7:00 pm.

Performing at position one is Laventille Serenaders and CLICO Sforzata in the Small and Medium Bands categories respectively. In the latter category, 2007 and 2008 champions Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille is seeking a hat trick with the Ken Philmore/Mark Loquan/Destra Garcia composition “D Trini Way” arranged by Ken “Professor” Philmore.

Trinidad  - Merlin Gill, better known as “Mutt”, has spent a lifetime dedicated to the promotion of the steel pan. First as a player, an arranger and now as a manufacturer, Mutt has ensured that many know about this instrument’s versatility. Through his travels and his company, Gill’s Pan Shop, Gill has been spreading the gospel of pan across the globe.

Canada  - Having won the 2007 Pan Alive competition, part of the annual Caribana activities in Toronto, Canada on Saturday 4th August 2007 with 271 points; this Montreal based steelband retained the coveted Pan Alive Champions title in 2008 with Salah Wilson’s musical rendition of Puncernelly. Trinidadian born Salah Wilson is a man with a mission and that mission is the steelpan. This 20th century melodic percussion instrument is easily recognisable for its bright, sharp, resonant sounds. Salah Wilson has dedicated his life to promoting the steelpan, teaching the artform to the young and old as well as documenting its history.

Trinidad, W.I. - Despite all the furore on Wednesday over the results of the Panorama semi-finals, President of Pan Trinbago, Patrick Arnold, yesterday insisted that all judges will remain the same for the final leg of competition in each category of the National Panorama 2009 Steelband competitions.

Following the results of the semi-final round of competition, especially in the large band category, a number of pannists expressed shock over the judging.

There was talk that the panel of judges may have been too old in their thinking where arrangement and improvisation were concerned, and that maybe it’s time to get a new set of judges. But Arnold said, “We always try to get the best we have from a list of about 40 people, who the bands themselves nominate, but some of them just refuse to do it. But in any event we can’t change the judges in midstream.”

Trinidad, W.I. - PAN fanatics are angry over the surprise hike in ticket prices for the National Panorama Finals’ Small and Medium category, next Wednesday, and on Saturday for the Large Band Category at the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Tickets have been advertised as $300 for the stands and $200 for the grounds. Those prices increased by $50 and PanTrinbago has since gotten involved to sort out the problem.

Yesterday, patrons who went to purchase tickets at the ticket booth at the venue, said they were told there were no tickets available there and they were sent to NCC offices on Cipriani Boulevard.

Several people said when they got to NCC’s offices, they were told that the prices were $350 and $250 for the stands and grounds, respectively.

Trinidad, W.I. - Competing in the Medium Band category the Buccoo Point based band captured the hearts of steel band lovers with a fabulous Ken "Professor" Philmore and Mark Loquan arrangement. The NLCB sponsored band will lead three other medium size bands who have qualified for the National Panorama final in the category.

The other medium size steelbands who have qualified for the final are the Black Rock based Katzenjammers with 439 points. They chose the Olatunji Yearwood song "Wild and Wonderful" which was composed by Alvin Daniel and Edwin Pouchet and arranged by Edwin Pouchet.

The third qualifying medium band was Carib Dixieland which scored the second highest points on the night, 445 points. Dixieland which hails from the Carnbee/Mt. Pleasant community executed Anslem Douglas's "Brazilian Flag Woman" well on the night and did justice to pan maestro Len "Boogsie" Sharpe arrangement.

Trinidad, W.I. - Manager and captain of NLCB Fonclaire Milton Wire Austin is advocating for National Panorama semifinals to be held on one stage. Responding to the exclusion of San Fernando bands from the finals for the third consecutive year, Wire said the South/Central bands were seriously disadvantaged.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture Junia Regrello, a former captain of TCL Skiffle Bunch, said he was hurt by the exclusion of the San Fernando bands.

Wire said the South/Central bands were severely constrained by having to perform on a stage last Friday night at Skinner Park where the Chutney/Soca finals were held the day after. “The stage had a roof. There were 20-foot speakers hanging from a derrick on both sides of the stage. The sound system was creating a reverberation. I had 100 players, plus equipment. We had to squeeze to fit,” Wire said. Fonclaire delivered Ken “Professor” Philmore’s arrangement of Dangerous, sung by Anslem Douglas and Colin Lucas.

Trinidad, W.I. - THE finalists for this year’s Panorama Championships, announced yesterday following Sunday’s Panorama semis, has left a sour note with many panmen, band captains and even arrangers, with veteran arranger Robbie Greenidge making a call for foreigners to be brought in to judge the premier annual pan competition.

The results showed Phase II Pan Groove placing first in the semis with 452 points, pipping Sagicor Exodus by two points in the Large Bands category. In the Medium Bands category, Clico Sforzata placed first with 460 points, three more than Tobago band NLCB Buccooneers.

Pamberi’s Nestor Sullivan was so outraged by the fact that his side was placed joint 15th with Starlift, that he could not hold back his condemnation of the judging.

“I don’t think what the judges did is right. They are still holding on to big name bands. Judging is not based on music alone, the Panorama competition is one that is based on improvisation and the people on the panel just don’t know how to relate to that, It’s just not right what happened,” he said.

Many panmen expressed shock that Phase II had topped the semis after what even a Phase II panman said was a below par performance on Sunday.

Trinidad, W.I. - The Buzz was in the “Savannah Party” playing myself on Sunday. The music of the North/East bands at the Panorama semifinals was truly outstanding. As usual I did a half jook and wine, followed by several vigorous thrusts of the pelvic region. Really I didn’t know I still had it; but I was mindful I could have put my waist out of alignment. No social wine for me last weekend. I was thrilled by the music of Couva Joylanders and Humming Bird Pan Groove in the medium category. I almost disrobed because of sweet pan, however, I kept my composure. Don’t talk about the big bands, boy the pace was hot!

Trinidad & Tobago - One steel orchestra each from Tobago and South Trinidad respectively, has made it into the National Large Band Finals at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, scheduled for Saturday 21st February 2009. RBTT Redemption Sound Setters (440) and Petrotrin Siparia Deltones (434), join their six (6) North/East counterparts in battle for pan supremacy.

Coming in with the highest score was Phase II Pan Groove and their “Magic Drum” with 452 points. They were followed by Sagicor Exodus with 450 points.

CLICO Sforzata maintained its lead in the Medium Band category copping 460 points, with Tobago’s NLCB Buccooneers three points behind at 457, and Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille at 447 commanding third place. Of the eight finalists on the Wednesday night finals, three are from the sister isle of Tobago: NLCB Buccooneers, Carib Dixieland and Katzenjammers.

United Kingdom - 2009 marks the tenth anniversary of Pan Podium, which proudly celebrates its contribution to the growing steelband artform that is spreading throughout the world.

Now in its eighteenth issue, this critically-acclaimed publication continues to spotlight the best of the UK’s steelband musicians, their organizations, and affiliates.  The accomplishments and issues relative to UK-based organizations are proudly and professionally showcased in these full-colour, collectable and memorable magazines, which also showcase orchestras from other parts of the world.

Trinidad, W.I. - Government’s recent bailout of the CL Financial Group has left many people concerned about the future of fan favourite and CLICO sponsored Sforzata Steel Orchestra.

The orchestra has been a National Panorama Medium Band champion and may be in search of a new sponsor if the CL Financial group decides it can no longer continue with its contributions.

Juslin Earle, a representative of the steel orchestra, told Newsday that fans of the two-time winner of the Conventional (Medium) Steelband category, said fans have nothing to worry about for this Carnival season. “To date there has been no change to the Sforzata Steel Orchestra. We have not been informed of any cancellations or changes with regards to our sponsorship from the CL group.

Trinidad, W.I. - Head of the Tobago Region of Pan Trinbago, Rennison Quashie, said an investigation has been launched into why the stage which was erected for last Saturday’s National Panorama semifinals in Tobago was unsafe. The semifinal round of the competition, which was being held at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, came to an abrupt end during the performance of one of the bands in the medium band category, after members of the Fire Service said the structure was not safe.

Quashie said the findings of the investigation would be available in two to three weeks. He was unwilling to say who was responsible for erecting the stage. “I do not want to interfere with the investigation,” he said. Nevertheless, he assured that Pan Trinbago would complete the investigation. Quashie said as organiser, Pan Trinbago had to take responsibility for what happened. Some patrons reportedly received refunds.

Trinidad, W.I. - Pan Trinbago set a new record at Sunday’s staging of the national Panorama semi-finals at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain, when judging in the competition wrapped up before the stroke of midnight. The presentation of 30 conventional steel orchestras in the categories: small, medium and large, started just after 1 pm and lasted almost 11 hours—ending at 11.58—beating patron expectations.

Judging from the mixed weather patterns and the sometimes slow pace at which a few of the bands took the stage, pan lovers firmly believed they would not have left the Savannah before 12.45 am. However, the pace quickened.

Trinidad, W.I. - Silver Stars Steel Orchestra led by Edwin Pouchet, delivered an outstanding performance at the North/East Semi-finals of the National Panorama 2009 large band category competition that was held at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Sunday.

However, pan patrons will not know the results overall until tomorrow morning at the completion of the Tobago bands competition, all of which will perform tonight at the Dwight Yorke stadium car park.

Trinidad, W.I. - After making the recent nightly rounds of the panyards where initial judging took place, the judges and the selected semi-finalist bands eventually got to the Queen’s Park Savannah yesterday to ring in Panorama 2009.

There were semi-finalists of ten bands in each of three categories – small, medium and large – conventional bands. Favourite tune among the bands was De Fosto’s “A Blue Crescendo” in which he pays tribute to Austin “Super Blue” Lyons – a piece that was quite ready-made for the pan.

Trinidad, W.I. - Edwin Pouchet and Silver Stars came on stage at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain, at 9.10 p.m. and delivered the performance of a lifetime, leaving pan lovers breathless.

The North East Semi-Final round for conventional bands in this year's National Panorama climaxed with the large bands and Silver Stars showed they are looking for a title. Their execution of Edwin Pouchet's arrangement of his composition "First In Line" was superb. Silver Stars was clear and distinct in their spirited performance. They literally lit up the Savannah and received a very loud applause at the end of their set. Before Silver Stars, the massive savannah crowd heard Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars with Leon "Smooth" Edwards' arrangement of his composition "Pan Rivalry". They too put in a very energetic performance, but could not whip up the masses as they had done in the past.

Pan Trinbago has announced the eight (8) Finalists in the Small Bands category. Arima Golden Symphony performing “A Blue Crescendo” amassed 432 points, some 13 points ahead of its nearest rival, Tornadoes, also playing “A Blue Crescendo”. The other six qualifying bands making it to the “big yard” on Wednesday 18th February along with the finalists in the Medium category are:-

* Laventille Serenaders - Wild & Wonderful:  418
* San City Steel Symphony - A Blue Crescendo:  417
* Panosonic Connection - A Blue Crescendo:  413
* Casablanca - Dangerous: 399
* Tunapuna All Stars - Melosian Rhapsody:  397
* Fascinators Pan Symphony - Signal To Lara:  393

Trinidad, W.I. - All calypsonian Impulse could beat on a steel pan was "Pum-Pum", according to his selection this year. However, the crowds who gathered at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain, yesterday, for the early action were treated to a wider selection of notes which would propel the singer to take pan lessons.

The crowd lapped up all the notes that they could in between their Sunday lunches at the North-East National Panorama semi-final yesterday. Both the North and Grand stands had people coming in like bats-increasing as the day got darker. Each band had one thing in mind and each band played with that intent, to make it to the finals on February 21.

Trinidad, W.I. - The Tobago arm of Pan Trinbago has accepted full responsibility for the abrupt end of Saturday's Panorama semi-final at the Dwight Yorke Stadium. The event came to a screeching halt after fire officials deemed the stage to be "unfit and unsafe".

A group of Tobago stage producers were responsible for the setting up of the stage. They were chosen following bids by other contractors from both islands.

Following the mishap, chairman of Pan Trinbago's Tobago arm, Rennison Quashie, told the Express that, while he was sorry for the problem, he was accepting full responsibility for what occurred. Quashie has been in the business since 1992.

"On behalf of Pan Trinbago, I accept full responsibility for what has transpired. This should not have occurred. I am not in the blame game and the chips fall on me," Quashie told the Express.

Trinidad, W.I. -  Carenage son of the soil, Jason “Peanuts” Isaac leaves one in awe. Quite unassuming and with an infectious personality and laughter, you can’t help but wonder about this petit man’s talent. He is musically gifted; plays all steelpans as well as the bass guitar and composes some dynamic songs for the pan. With such amazing talents it is difficult to imagine why this brilliant panman is unheard of. He made his debut in the pan song arena in 2004 with Jamboree, and followed up with Jam Dan Raw.

Before pannists and panatics could catch their breaths, he unleashed Hardwine in 2006, followed by Pump Up The Steel in 2007. In 2008, he thrilled the pan world with Ten Commandments of Pan. Desperadoes went to the Panorama with the song that year and collected a fourth place. But more than that, it signaled the emergence of Isaac as a composer to watch. This year he’s basking in the afterglow with a new song called Pan Redemption. Credit should be given to “Despers’” Robert “Robbie” Greenidge for getting the song off the shelf. “I was prepared to shelf the song until 2010, but a call from ‘Robbie’ changed all that. He called and asked me what I have. I sent it for him. The rest is history,” he said.

Trinidad, W.I. - Trying to make a comeback after six years of financial frustration, Motown Steel Orchestra has called on Pan Trinbago to assist them with sponsorship. The group was dormant due to several constraints in the past, but vows that they are back and stronger than before. Marjorie Kissoon, manager of the group, said the band is hoping to get into the small band category of pan finals, the semifinals of which were contested on Friday night.

The Bradley Years represent the definitive collection of steelband music arrangements and performances for a large steel orchestra. This collection showcases seven classic arrangements from the master arranger Clive Bradley.  Bradley is considered to be the best steelband music arranger ever by many, including his peers.  In addition, the arrangements are performed by one of the finest steelbands in the world, New York’s Pantonic Steel Orchestra. Clive Bradley had a very special relationship with Pantonic.  This orchestra captured the title of panorama champions five times in seven years - performing Bradley’s musical works.  The performances were captured by Basement Recordings days before, and in one instance, mere moments before they took the stage for the prestigious annual steelband music panorama competition.  The recordings capture, reproduce and present a clarity and the sonic realism of a large steel orchestra fielding between one hundred and hundred twenty musicians - unlike any other steelband music recordings in its class. 

Trinidad, W.I. - Tempers flared and bands threatened to break rules when Pan Trinbago held an extraordinary general meeting to deal with an issue concerning the new rules governing Panorama 2009.

A small number of steelbands are in opposition to the rule limiting the number of players allowed in each of the categories, Single Pan, Small, Medium and Large bands, for the Panorama competition, the semi-finals of which begin tomorrow.

Trinidad, W.I. - Amidst slightly overcast starless skies, cool evening breezes and light to heavy drizzles, the Northern region’s big bands faced the starters for this year’s edition of steelband’s most wanted accolade, the National Panorama championship. Preliminary round panyard judging, one of the difficult changes made to this event by the world governing body, decided on an early start, obviously because of looming criminal activity, and the hot spots in which some of the better bands are located. Nevertheless, those in charge dare not have these said East POS bands perform during matinee, as was imposed on those from the sedate West POS. Panyard vibrations traditionally, is a late-night thing, isn’t it?
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Trinidad, W.I. - It’s “Pan In Yuh Rookcungkertuncun - A Tribute to Duke” as Pan Trinbago South Central Region hosts the South National Panorama Semi Finals on Friday 06th February at Skinner Park, San Fernando, from 7:00 pm

Five (5) Small, four (4) Large Conventional & four (4) Single Pan Bands will perform their tunes of choice before separate panels of judges.

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Trinidad, W.I. - Fifteen (15) Small Conventional Bands will proceed to the National Semi Finals on Friday 6th and Sunday 8th February 2009.

South/Central earned five places with San City Steel Symphony amassing the most points (252) for their rendition of Winston Scarborough’s “A Blue Crescendo”. These bands are part of the line up in the South National Semi Finals carded for Friday 06th February at Skinner Park, San Fernando.

Four (4) bands from the North along with six (6) bands from the East qualified for their semi final round on Sunday 08th February at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain.
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Trinidad, W.I. - Four-time national Panorama champion, Harmonites Steel Orchestra, knows how to keep an audience captive. The band proved that on Saturday when it successfully recreated some of the excitable features synonymous with the Savannah Party held at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain. The Barataria-based band, led by Shelford Lawrence, reminded culture lovers about its entertaining traits on the weekend, when judging for medium conventional orchestras continued in the eastern region of Pan Trinbago.

Playing Earl La Pierre’s arrangement of De Fosto’s (Winston Scarborough) Tribute to SuperBlue, titled A Blue Crescendo, Harmonites’ presentation before the four-member adjudication panel comprising Martin Albino, Lorna Conyette, Richard Pierre and Sherry-Ann Saunders was scintillating.
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Global - He was simply the world’s greatest steelpan music arranger.  Moreover, he was the one the titans of pan bowed to. This was his stage, his arena, his moment. This was his time.  Panorama was "Bradley Time."  Master arranger Clive Bradley, more so than any other,  shaped and elevated the music and theatre of the panorama as we know it.

We revisit a musical examination of some of the Master’s works by one of the most respected and gifted music talents out of the Caribbean.  Frankie McIntosh provides us with an intellectual, as well as a critical and culturally perceptive interpretation of these selected panorama music works from the arranger.

In a special music extraordinaire, take a musical look at one of the recordings.

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - With an Act of Parliament on January 28, 1986, Pan Trinbago was affirmed as the monolithic body to govern everything pertaining to what is now the National Instrument.  It was not until 1992 that the present Prime Minister gave his blessing to pan and announced to the world at the finals of Pan Is Beautiful, that the pan is the National Instrument of Trinidad & Tobago.