“CD Samples”
 Pan in New York 2009
 

Global - Experience the beauty of the steelpan instrument through the two latest CD releases from Basement Recordings.  Three-minute samples from the Pan In New York 2009 CDs - of both regular and slow tempo performances - are being featured.  Content is being added, so keep checking regularly.   Both “Pan In New York 2009,” and “Pan In New York 2009 - The Cooldown Versions” are a continuation of the Pan-4-Life series from Basement Recordings.
click for more

Taking Pride in Pan
 

Trinidad & Tobago, WI -  Locals beam with pride upon hearing their national instrument, the steel pan, gaining recognition in foreign media. It can even be heard on rapper 50 Cent’s ’P.I.M.P’ which was released on his 2003 debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin. The question then begs, if the world appreciates and is willing to promote the sweet sounds of pan, why can’t we?

This was one of several questions raised at a live steel pan discussion held September 18 at the Fort San Andres Museum, Port of Spain. The forum was broadcast on Talk City 91.9 FM and was created to maintain a momentum of public interest initially generated by the ’Evolution of Pan/Pan in Art’ exhibition at the same venue.

The event included contributions from QRC Foundation member Mortimer Baptiste, composer, songwriter and renowned steel pan arranger Ray Holman, Alvin Daniell, Melville Bryan of Pan Trinbago and Ministry of Culture

Steelband Development Officer, Auburn Wiltshire and torrential rains that night could not deter a few faithful pan enthusiasts from lending their support.

When asked if pan was dead or dying, Holman did not agree that the instrument was dead but lamented that it was not in a state as he would like to see it.
click for more

Steel band treat for
Tynemouth commuters
 

North Tyneside, England -  Commuters waiting for the train at Tynemouth Metro station on Tuesday morning were treated to a performance by North Tyneside Steelband.

Live entertainment taking place across the region to mark the last day of Go Smarter Week to encourage people to leave their cars at home

Sustainable transport charity Sustrans also organised ten minute bike rides around Newcastle over the lunch hour period and a marquee at Grey's Monument with information on sustainable transport and a bike doctor.
click for more

Obama sends thanks to Panland T&T
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Panland T&T Ltd, the world’s largest manufacturer and exporter of the steelpan instrument, had reason to celebrate last week upon receiving an authentic letter of sincere thanks from the man of possibilities himself—US President Barack Obama.

The official White House correspondence, direct from Washington, DC, follows the grand gesture of goodwill shown to President Obama during a visit by his presidential aide to the Selection House exhibit, during the Summit of the Americas Meeting in April of this year. While President Obama’s intent was to purchase two mini-pans for his daughters, he was met with a sweet surprise when presented with the complimentary “candy purple” tenor pan package from Panland’s Colour of Pan collection, as well as one black and one red mini-pan for Malia and Sasha, respectively.
click for more

No honours
for Laventille pan pioneer
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Pan tuner and innovator Rudolph Valentino Charles has been dead for more than two decades but his family and friends are intent on insuring that his contributions to the cultural landscape of this country are not forgotten.

The pannist’s family and the people of his Laventille community are concerned that his efforts have gone in vain. For more than ten years they have been petitioning for Charles to receive a posthumous national award for his contributions to the arts.

Rudolph’s brother, Gerald Charles, said it is sad to know that the pan pioneer contributed so much and has nothing to show for it.

“Rudolph should be considered for a national award. We are furious and feel betrayed that Rudolph has done so much for pan in this country and has not even been recognised for his efforts,” Charles said.

Charles said Rudolph was a creative genius who produced many new instruments which are visible in all steel orchestras today, such as the rocket pan, the nine bass set of pans, the quadrophonic, the triple second pans with foot base, the six harmony pans the “fifth” tenor pan, the Marshall tone pan named after Bertie Marshall and the baritone six pans.

....“Rudolph is responsible for the titanium which is used for pans today. He was not just a panman, he was an innovator and a respected musician at home and abroad. He also made a significant impact in his community.
click for more

1st Pan Yaad - pantastic!
 

Belize City, Belize - A “pan-tastic” steel pulse of Caribbean rhythm reverberated across the Bay, when the nation’s four steel bands joined together in the first ever “Pan Yaad,” hosted by the National Institute of Culture and History at the House of Culture in Belize City last Friday night, September 11.

In what promises to become an annual event, the veteran All Star Steel Band, the Pan-tempters, the Grace Primary Steel band and the Pannerifix Band from Our Lady of Guadalupe R.C. School in Belmopan, joined in a harmonic crescendo, much to the delight of an appreciative audience.

The Grace Primary Steel band under the direction of Carlos Perrote opened the evening’s program, and they were soon followed by the Pantempters under the direction of Hershel Armstrong, winner of the 2009 September celebrations song contest.
click for more

Panyard Steel Orchestra performances of panorama
selections at their best
Pan in New York 2009 CDs
 

Global - First thing: the Pan in New York 2009 CD - both ‘cool’ and ‘hot’ versions - like previous Basement Recordings steelpan music releases, is not for everyone.

 I repeat - it is not for everyone!

....If you are used to, or are content with -  listening to cell phone audio, low level mp3s, camcorders, DVDs with mono recordings, or even some of the high-priced products from steelpan ‘professional recording imposters’ that butcher pan music - these CDs are not for you.
click for more

 Taking Their Places:
The ‘Superwomen’
of BP TT Renegades
 

Washington, DC -  ....Recently, the `stage side` of the BP TT Renegades Steel Orchestra, included five females, who took their places among the majority male players.

They participated in two celebrations in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the 47th Anniversary of the Independence of Trinidad and Tobago.

The events were organized by Glenda Morean-Phillip, Ambassador of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the United States. A concert, `Classics and Steel,` was held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, on August 29, and an Inter-faith Service took place at the Foundry United Methodist Church, on August 30.

....The female players in the group stood out because they were few - only five, as opposed to fifteen males. Membership in the `stage side` - the group of players reserved for stage performances - is very demanding, and time-consuming. In the past, only males ventured into that arena. BP TT Renegades Steel Orchestra, however, has a policy that as long as a woman has the aptitude, and dedication, she is able to join.
click for more

Pan in New York 2009 -
“The Cooldown Versions”
 

Global - This year, there will be two Pan In New York CDs released. “Pan In New York 2009- the CD,” will feature the orchestras performing at tempo.

The other CD, “Pan In New York - the Cooldown Versions” will feature the bands playing at reduced tempo - an aspect which has always been in demand over the years, so that the arrangements as sonically envisioned by the arranger, and performed and executed by the steel orchestras, may truly be savored at a slower paced performance.

The up-tempo release, “Pan in New York 2009,” will feature the musical skills of Despers USA, Sonatas, CASYM and Pantonic (all four have been panorama champions in their own right over the years), in addition to  D’Radoes and Sesame Flyers.

These two CD releases are of course, a continuation of the Pan-4-Life series from Basement Recordings.
click for more

The sky’s the limit for Andrew
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Talented musician Andrew Mc Intosh, a pannist, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the band Skid” Neverly,” shot into the limelight recently when the band delivered a powerful performance at the recent Digicel Outta Control Concert in Port-of-Spain. Patrons were calling for more after the performance, by far the most entertaining on a night that featured three of the country’s top bands.

....McIntosh, who has been playing the pan since the age of seven, recalled visiting his grandmother on Rosalino Street, Woodbrook, just around the corner from the Lincoln Enterprises pan factory. He quickly became interested in the national instrument.

“One day I heard my father telling my mother to get me a tenor pan if I liked it so much. I was seven. When I got back to St. Lucia, the arranger for the most popular band there, Diamond Steel, taught me. He thought I was good and then I went into the pan yard after that and played with the band.”

Mc Intosh also became involved in musical arranging and after playing with Diamond Steel for a few years, became an arranger with the St. Lucian band Pan Time.
click for more

New York Steelband Panorama 2009
In Pictures

New York, USA - Click for Pix

J’Ouvert is It
as Steelbands
and ole Mas own
the streets of New York
 

New York, USA -  There is white powder in my hair, pink dry lotion and brown mud all over my person - compliments of that rude steelband known as Utopia Pan Soul: the Next Generation - which was dropping such wicked music, that they not only had their truck bopping in time with the music, but also had the normally stoic NYPD (New York Police Department) dancing - on the job! Furthermore, we lost a valued member of the WST (When Steel Talks) crew to Despers USA’s sweet pan music. She was last seen chipping down the road with that renegade band of Bandoleros from Bed-Stuy, which had the crowd in lock step. Imagine that?
click for more

Steelpan standout Jonathan Scales comes to town
 

New York, USA - The Big Apple will be privy to a performance by a standout musician who is in the process of making a name for himself, both on the national and international performance circuits, and has already released two CDs. Whether leading his group “the Jonathan Scales Fourchestra,” or performing as a solo artist, the pan is Jonathan Scales’ instrument of choice, with Ryan Lassiter on drums, Duane Simpson on guitar, with Shannon Hoover as bassist.

Scales and his crew will be holding musical court at The Shrine in Harlem New York on Friday September 11.
click for more

Steelband players mulling Christmas fund-raising concert
 

Guyana - Several steelband players want to host a grand Christmas concert to raise funds for Republic Anniversary celebrations next year and possibly beyond.

They mooted the idea at a recent meeting with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, who convened it at the conclusion of a workshop organised by his ministry for arrangers of steelpan music and facilitated by Barbados-based Guyanese Derry Atkins.

....A release from the ministry said it would be favourably disposed to facilitating the fund-raiser, as Anthony sought the pan men’s suggestions for the 2010 Mashramani steelband competitions.
click for more

Louise McIntosh - founder of the Pan Pipers Music School, passes
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Louise McIntosh, founder of the Pan Pipers Music School in St. Augustine, east Trinidad, passed away last Sunday, September 6. The institution has trained such musicians as Chantal Esdelle, Satanand Sharma and Kwame Ryan.

At Pan Pipers, youngsters were introduced to several instruments including pan, piano, flute and violin; McIntosh entered a mixed ensemble in Trinidad & Tobago's biannual music festival, having pan compete against other conventional instruments. This move in 1976 was a very radical one, and the music festival organisers tried to have Louise's students disqualified.
click for more

Bandoleros invade Brooklyn and Capture New York Championship - Sonatas Steel Orchestra style
 

New York, USA -  This one will be talked about for ages. Years from now children will ask their grandparents with great intrigue - “Were you there when dem Bandoleros called Sonatas Steel Orchestra from Brooklyn, Crown Heights, descended on the Brooklyn Museum grounds and captured New York?” And thousands will respond “yes, I was there, I saw and heard it all, it is a night I will never forget.”

With a blinding flurry of 32 second-notes (demisemiquavers), perfectly synced musical jabs that would make Muhammad Ali blush, mixed in with an overhand crushing right cross, followed by a wicked volley of musical chromatic triplets to the head - plus the dynamic delivery of a visual and choreographed set of body dips, twists and turns, finished off with solid blows to the midsection -- 1-2-3- it was over! Down and out for the count.
click for more

Sonatas Win 2009 New York Panorama

New York, USA - Click for results

What the Bands are Playing, and Who’s Arranging

Editor’s note:
Boston Metro Steel Orchestra was subsequently added to the line-up, making ten competitors.

Sonatas drop
the “Wow” factor
on Panyard audience
 

New York, USA -  In addition to it being panorama time, it was pan yard recording night for the mighty Sonatas. Always up for the challenge and looking to be innovative and new, Sonatas again surprised all present. Indeed, this one was special. Sonatas had a visual impact move planned to literally stop people in their tracks.

....It is a known fact that one of the best times to catch the bands is when they are getting ready and are being recorded by Basement Recordings. The appointed time was 9:00 p.m. but at 8:15 the yard was packed and buzzing. And by one minute to 9 the full complement of 100 players of Sonatas’ finest seemed to be in place and raring to go as their musical director and arranger Yohan Popwell ran them through some last minute updates.
click for more

J’Ouvert City Alliance International presents J’Ouvert 2009 in New York
Steel Bands Rule!
 

New York, USA - J'Ouvert City Alliance International presents J'Ouvert 2009 in New York, welcoming one and all to the celebrations on the morning of Labor Day in New York on Monday September 7. Steel Bands and rhythm sections rule the roost, providing all the sweet music heard along the route; Ole Mas characters entertain and educate along the way, while other colorful characters and bands dance along. No DJ music allowed - Steel Bands Rule!
click for more

It’s absolutely pan-tastic
Steelpan & many young pan players
take center stage at N.Y. Panorama
 

New York, USA -  If celebrated composers such as Bach and Beethoven were alive today and in New York, it would be hard to imagine that they would not be arrangers and composers participating in New York Panorama.

This coming Saturday, the massive steel orchestras — with hundreds of instruments and upwards of 100 players each — will literally roll onto the Brooklyn Museum grounds to participate in the annual New York steelband music Panorama contest. In tow, ensnared in a musical bond, will be thousands of fans, enthusiasts and supporters from the world over.

The event is held annually in New York as part of the five-day West Indian Carnival and Parade, and will take place this year on Sept. 5 starting at 8 p.m. Panorama remains the biggest draw of the events sponsored by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association during pre-Labor day festivities.
click for more

New Generation,
same Winning Ways:
Despers USA Steel Orchestra
in session
 

New York, USA -  When Steel Talks (WST) tagged along with Basement Recordings as they began their annual calendar of panyard recording sessions and productions. First stop was Despers USA Steel Orchestra located on Classon Avenue, in Brooklyn, New York, who were the first to be captured last evening at their Pan Loft, performing Tunapuna Scanty’s “Bandoleros.” Despers USA joins the Basement Recordings line-up to be featured on the organization’s Pan in New York series of Pan-4-Life CD productions. One of North America’s premier orchestras, Despers USA has six panorama championship titles under their belt, and look forward to adding another one in 2009.
click for more

When Steel Talks
T-Shirts are Here!
 

Global - When Steel Talks (WST) T-Shirts are available!  Show your love for the Steelpan art form!  For USD $12.00 plus shipping and handling, make sure you have your WST T-Shirt!  Available are colors (above): Black, Red, Blue and Hot Pink - sizes Small (S) through X-large (XL).

For USD $14.00, sizes XX-large (2X) and XXX-large (3X) are also on hand.  Supplies in red, blue and pink are available on a limited basis.
click for more and to ORDER