Tunes for 2011
click to hear

Web Posted - Friday December 31, 2010
When Steel Talks

The Spirit of Fela! lives on
 

New York, USA - The hit Broadway play and Tony Award-winning production of Fela! has had a successful, memorable and ground-breaking run and comes to an end in New York on January 2, 2011. Several members of the cast and one of the producers of the musical, Stephen Hendel, were honored guests at “The Spirit of Fela! Celebration” earlier this month held at the venerable Players club in Grammercy Park. With honorary hostess Grace Blake on the scene very early in the evening, the gathering was organized by ICAD-FTL (International Caribbean American Diaspora – Film, Theater & Literacy Festival) and its event director, Misani.

The Fela! cast boasts several talented artists from Africa and its Diaspora including five of Caribbean origin. Nicole Chantal de Weever– St. Maarten, Gelan Lambert – Haiti, Elasea Douglas- Jamaica, Daniel Soto– Dominican Republic and Oneika Phillips – Grenada have taken the stage nightly along with their fellow cast mates and helped make the production into the successful and unique Broadway story that it has become.
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Web Posted - Friday December 31, 2010
Trinidad Guardian

When Steel Talks leads the way
 

Trinidad & Tobago - I’m appalled at the total disrespect of a Minister of Culture, yes culture, to Pan Trinbago. Pan Trinbago is custodian of steelband affairs by an Act of Parliament. We live in a democratic country, and democratic institutions must be respected. He can’t just go blabbing about Panorama would go on, with or without Pan Trinbago, and suggesting how “panman tief de money” intended to build the steelband headquarters. I doubt this has changed since May 24. I don’t understand how Panorama 2011 will take place “with or without Pan Trinbago”.....beats me. Maybe there will be Tamboo Bamboo bands. Alston Jack, the Bamboo Man, are you listening? Or, the minister plans on staging a “people’s Panorama,” as he plans to foist on the public “people mas bands.”

Fellow pan columnist Anthony D Blackman asks the following relevant questions this week, in face of the minister’s position that “Panorama is killing pan,” adding that: Tasteless calypso killing the carnival. Smutty ones killing it. People who don’t know about pan killing it. People who don’t like pan killing it. Which category does this Minister of Culture of T&T fall into? However, this pit-bull attitude of the minister goes against the mantra of “serve the people, serve the people.” Nuff said.
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Web Posted - Friday December 31, 2010
Trinidad Guardian

Pannist raises $36,000 for US school in minutes
 

Trinidad & Tobago - A 22-year-old Tobagonian pannist received his New Year wish on Wednesday when he raised $36,000, out of a needed $60,000, for him to pursue his degree in music at a university in Florida. Jerald Balfour raised the money in a matter of minutes after his outstanding performance at the Ministry of Community Development and the National Commission for Self Help (NCSH) grant and hamper-distribution ceremony at the conference room of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Shaw Park, Tobago, on Wednesday.

Minister of Tobago Development Vernella Alleyne-Toppin was so impressed by Balfour’s performance that she thought it necessary to inform the audience of his financial challenges. Immediately after, NCSH’s operations manager Waldron Louison pledged a personal $2,000 after which a combined effort from the audience, amounting to $11,000 in pledges, were made and a further $25,000 from the Ministry of Community Development was made by line Minster Nazim Baksh. Baksh said he discussed the matter on the spot with his permanent secretary and decided to make the pledge.
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Web Posted - Friday December 31, 2010
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday

Keep the $2M, give us $1,000
 

Trinidad & Tobago - Panmen and panwomen have refused Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston Peters’ offer of $800 for performances fees for Panorama 2011.

At a PanTrinbago meeting held at City Hall, Knox Street, Port-of-Spain, yesterday members also refused the $2 million proposed for the first prize for the large band at the Panorama finals as they requested the original payment structure to remain the same.
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Web Posted - Friday December 31, 2010
Trinidad Express

Panmen reject $2m Panorama first prize
 

Trinidad & Tobago - Pan Trinbago's membership has moved a resolution blanking Government's $2 million first prize for this year's Panorama winners in the large band category.

The members are also calling on the Government to reinstate the $1,000 stipend to players for the preliminaries and want an apology from Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism Winston "Gypsy" Peters for his disrespectful remarks to panmen.
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Web Posted - Thursday December 30, 2010
Bangor Daily News

Blue Hill’s Hoot! to ring in 2011
 

Maine, USA - ....When she [Kim Peralta] finally moved to Blue Hill just over two months ago with her two teenage sons, she made herself right at home, in the way that she knows best: by starting a band. Hoot!, Peralta’s new reggae-calypso band, will have its debut performance on New Year’s Eve at the Blue Hill Town Hall, in a community dance from 10 p.m. to midnight.

....“I’ve always wanted to try something a little funkier, and I’ve always loved island music, like calypso and reggae,” she said. “I just never really felt like I had a way to do that, or people to play with.”

Blue Hill is, oddly enough, one of the best places a budding calypso musician could move to. There are five steel drum bands in the area, thanks to Carl and Nigel Chase, the father-and-son team responsible for bringing steel drums to the Blue Hill peninsula. The Atlantic Clarion Steel Band, Flash in the Pans, the Rhythm Rockets, Planet Pan and Bagaduce Steel all have at various times brought hundreds of people of all ages to the steel drum — a fun, versatile instrument.
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Web Posted - Thursday December 30, 2010
When Steel Talks

Which Pan Songs do you like for Panorama 2011?
 

Global - Recommend your favorite Pan Songs! Show and tell the global steelpan music community your choices for the best panorama tunes for the 2011 season. Listen to the steelpan tunes individually, or check out the whole list of selections in one continuous stream.

Many composers, songwriters, lyricists and performers have made their material available on When Steel Talks (WST) for the public’s access and enjoyment.
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Web Posted - Wednesday December 29, 2010
When Steel Talks

‘Battle Zone’ is top Soca Pan Song of the Year
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - ....It was just one week prior at Parang and Steel that cheers rung out with news that Battle Zone – Silver Stars’ tune-of-choice for Panorama 2010 – won the Soca Pan Song of the Year prize at the International Soca Awards. The ceremony was conceptualized and produced by the Soca Awards Organisation and held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port-of-Spain.

....Alvin Daniell, the man responsible for Battle Zone’s lyrics accepted the award, journeyed to Silver Stars’ home base and communicated the song’s success.
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Web Posted - Tuesday December 28, 2010
The Daily Herald

Steel pan Christmas show well attended
 

St. Maarten, W.I.  - Steel pan master Isidore "Mighty Dow" York presented Ebony Steel Orchestra's nineteenth annual steel pan Christmas concert entitled "Steel of Class" in an elegant setting at The Westin Dawn Beach St. Maarten Resort and Spa's event hall Sunday night.

Hundreds filled the event hall on this year's Boxing Day to listen to renditions of Christmas carols and more by Ebony Steel Orchestra, including vocals by Sinatra Bauld and Erno York, in what has now become tradition.

This year's special appearance was by the 10-piece Panache Steel Orchestra, one of Antigua's newest steel bands, which really impressed the attendees.
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Web Posted - Monday December 27, 2010
When Steel Talks

Andy Akiho continues to create for Steelpan & Orchestra
 

Connecticut, USA - In his latest work, featured as one of four composers premiering their music at Yale School of Music’s Sprague Hall earlier this month, Andy Akiho took those within earshot on a journey that was limited potentially by only the listener’s own ability, to comprehend the daring freedom of Akiho’s vision.

Whenever this visionary young man puts music down, the listener can be certain that there will be movements and combinations that challenge one’s concept of music, and the role of steelpan within same.  Akiho retains his devotion to the steelpan as his primary instrument, even as he continues to proudly showcase its evolution as it journeys along with him as he musically chronicles his life experiences - resulting in scintillating and evocative music works.
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Web Posted - Saturday December 25, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“TKO”
sung by Tony Prescott
composed by Amrit Samaroo
 

Global - It’s Boxing Day in Trinidad and Tobago, and arranger, steelpan performer and ace composer Amrit Samaroo delivers a ‘knockout’ punch in the ring of 2011 Pan Tunes with “TKO” sung by Tony Prescott.

This the third song for the 2011 steelband panorama season written by Samaroo. The other two are “Pan for Peace” sung by Sheldon Reid and “Showdown” sung by Crazy.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Friday December 24, 2010
Cincinnati.Com

Voice of steel drum part of the celebration
 

Ohio, USA - Steel drum virtuoso Othello Molineaux and Cincinnati jazz vocalist Eugene Goss have covered plenty of road together, like the time they headed out in a car to play a hillside concert in Japan.

The pair began to despair as the car climbed the hill with no audience in sight.

"But when we got over the side of the hill there were 10,000 people," Molineaux recalls.

....Molineaux and Goss first met while they were living in Miami. Molineaux had arrived from Trinidad as a steel drum pioneer just ahead of the '70s disco tide.
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Web Posted - Friday December 24, 2010
When Steel Talks

’Twas the night before J'ouvert

by Catt
 

. . .  and all through the yard,

no bomb tune was missing, no arrangement too hard.

The racks and the pans were made ready with care,

In hopes that St. Bradley soon would be there.

The panmen were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of road march danced in their heads.

Moms in her paint, and I feelin fine

had gone out a road for a jump and a wine.

When out in the street there arose such a clatter,

I ran from the yard to see what was the matter.

Down to the Savannah I flew like a flash,

To see who would win the prizewinning cash. 

click to full story

Web Posted - Friday December 24, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“Showdown”
sung by Crazy
composed by Amrit Samaroo
 

Global - Amrit Samaroo is the multitalented award-winning steel orchestra panorama music arranger, songwriter, performing artist, producer and educator. In the preceding years Amrit has penned some of the most memorable steelband music pieces in recent times.

Amrit is also the son of Dr. Jit Samaroo, the former master arranger of the renowned Renegades Steel Orchestra.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Thursday December 23, 2010
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

St Augustine, Tropical Youth top pan festival
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - St Augustine Secondary School Steel Orchestra and T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps Youth Steel Orchestra, emerged tops in their respective categories at last Monday’s Biennial Ministry of Education National Junior Steelband Music Festival (NJSMF), at the Jean Pierre Complex in Port-of-Spain. The event was staged by the Pan In Schools Co-ordinating Council. Playing the test piece Dancing With Pan composed by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, and tune-of-choice, Power of Freedom, composed by their musical director Cheo Cato, the St Augustine band earned top scores in both categories with 1082 points. Under the musical baton of Curtis Jones, Tropical Angel Harps Youth Steel Orchestra took home the top prize in the non-school category.

Their test piece was The Journey, which was also composed by “Boogsie” Sharpe, and their tune-of-choice Love In the Cemetery by Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts).....The competition was held in honour of Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and Desmond Waithe.  Young arranger Curtis Jones achieved quiet a feat at the festival. Not only did he take T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps Youths to victory, but he accomplished similar feats with San Fernando Girls’ Government, victor in the Primary School Orchestra category and Edinburgh Government the ensemble champs.
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Web Posted - Thursday December 23, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“Retrorama”
sung by Devon Seale
composed by Gregory Ballantyne
 

Global - The thirty-three year old Devon Seale cut his calypso teeth in 1988 at Trinidad & Tobago’s National Junior Calypso Competition and the Junior Roving Calypso Tent of which he was an outstanding member.  His journey over the years has taken him all the way to Trinidad & Tobago’s prestigious National Calypso Monarch finals.

Over the years Seale has sung several compositions, including material penned by well-known composer Gregory  Ballantyne.  And this track - “Retrorama” - which focuses on the steelband art form, and the trend in recent years to take “oldies” to the competitive national panorama stage, is another collaboration between the duo.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Thursday December 23, 2010
Petaluma360

Keeping music students in tune
 

California, USA - Tomales High School music director Tami Pallingston is a study in contrasts.

....“I was an air quality inspector for 13 years,” she said. “Then I decided to give away all that security, the guaranteed salary, the pension and the health benefits and follow my dream, which was to make my living playing and teaching music.”

This led Pallingston to Humboldt State University, where she studied percussion with Eugene Novotney and played in the Humboldt State Calypso Band.

“It was a phenomenal band and we played with some greats such as Liam Teague, Cliff Alexis and Ray Holman,” she said.

....“I was charged with rebuilding the music program at THS, and I said I wanted to implement a Pan Band, which I saw as a way to include as many interested students as possible, and which would not require prior musical training,” said Pallingston.

She calculates that 10 percent of the entire school has passed through the Pan Band program she launched, and her students have not only learned how to play steel drums, but also have even made their own drums out of 55-gallon barrels.
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Web Posted - Thursday December 23, 2010
Repeating Islands

Trinidadian Panist Len “Boogsie” Sharpe
 

England, UK - Lennox “Boogsie” Sharpe (1953) is considered a cultural icon in Trinidad and Tobago. Led by Boogsie, the three-time panorama champions, Phase II Pan Groove, compete in most of the national steelband competitions throughout the year and are also involved in many shows, entertaining the public of Trinidad and Tobago.

Although Boogsie enters his band to compete in the many competitions, his vision does not involve just winning these competitions. A trophy and prize money are attractive, but what brings true satisfaction to him and the band members is the joy expressed by all followers and supporters of the band and the artform. Even when Phase II comes second or third in a competition, the members all take solace in the fact that the crowd truly enjoyed the music. With thunderous applause and deafening cheers, fans have time and time again expressed their gratitude to the band for bringing them something original and exciting with every new song.
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Recent BBC interview with Boogsie

Web Posted - Thursday December 23, 2010
Pittsburgh-Post Gazette

Steel drum band is school tradition at Steel Valley
 

Pennsylvania, USA - In the mid-1980s, when J. Marc Svaline and his wife were vacationing in the Caribbean, they caught a performance of a steel drum ensemble and liked what they heard. As instrumental music director at Washington High School, Mr. Svaline thought a similar ensemble could work well in a high school setting.

After doing his research, he asked the band parents group at the high school to purchase a "starter" set of steel drums called "pans." That initial four voice set has since grown to its present size of 33 drums, and the Washington High School Steel Ensemble is now among a select number of schools in the United States that offers steel band in the curriculum.

Often called a premier steel band of its type in the country, the ensemble brought its unique sound to the Washington High School Gymnasium early last week, as part of a holiday music concert. "Although steel bands are now a little more common in high schools across the nation, they're still fairly unique," said David Dayton, the school's band director. "I'm proud to say that Washington High School has been one of the front-runners of steel bands in the nation."
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Web Posted - Wednesday December 22, 2010
When Steel Talks

Canada Steelpan Musician, former Trinidad/Tobago National Steelband member Alton C. Clarke remembered
 

Canada - Alton C. Clarke, or “Clarky” as he is known to all pan players and pan lovers in the Canadian Midwest, brought an awareness and appreciation of the steelpan instrument and its music to the province of Manitoba between the years 1971 to 1984.

Clarke, who passed on December 11, was also a member of the first national steelband of Trinidad and Tobago. His life was devoted to furthering the outreach of pan, which he thoroughly accomplished in Manitoba, outside his native Trinidad and Tobago. The latter’s government honored Alton Clarke along with other members of the national steelband in November of 2006.

As leader and arranger of the Unicity Pan Harmonics Steel Orchestra since 1972, “Clarky” was able to attract and train players ranging in age from 12 to 50, most of whom had never before played the instrument, and some who had never even been aware of its existence.
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Web Posted - Wednesday December 22, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“Pan Jam in de ’Rama”
sung by Shanaqua
composed by Cary Codrington & Alvin Daniell
 

Global - Cary Codrington is a versatile, in-demand steelpan musician whose twenty-year-plus career was first boosted in the form of an opportunity to play pan professionally with Starlift Steel Orchestra in 1972.  He is the head of the internationally-renowned Codrington Pan Family.

For the 2010 steelband panorama season, Cary Codrington teamed up with vocalist Shanaqua and lyricist Alvin Daniell for Pandemic. This collaboration continues for the 2011 season with the track Pan Jam in de Rama.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Wednesday December 22, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“Glamorama”
sung by Russell Cadogan
composed by Ashton Craig
 

Global - San Francisco-based steel panist Ashton Craig started his own five-piece band known as Pan Extasy.

After 1983, Ashton began to see Panorama in a different light: Ashton views Panorama as a glamorous competition and was inspired to create the song "Glamorama.”

“Glamorama” is one of the tracks on his new CD also called “Glamorama.”  The CD features delicate blends of smooth jazz, and Caribbean flavors, with Ashton’s smooth touch on the steel drums.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Wednesday December 22, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“Pan Badjohn”
sung by Kurt Allen
composed by Earl Brooks, Sr. & Alvin Daniell
 

Global - Reigning Trinidad & Tobago Calypso Monarch Kurt Allen returns to deliver “Pan Badjohn” for the 2011 Steelband Panorama season.  The tune is written by Earl Brooks, Sr. and Alvin Daniell.

Allen also performed another composition by this duo for 2010 - “Doh Meddle with Me” - which was played in Trinidad & Tobago’s annual Panorama competition by south band Hatters Steel Orchestra. For 2011, “Pan Badjohn” will also be played by Hatters.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Tuesday December 21, 2010
When Steel Talks

Honoring pioneers
Music Literacy Trust host awards
Steelpan Notables in the Spotlight
 

Trinidad & Tobago - Last evening (December 20) the Music Literacy Trust honored Bobby Mohammed of Guinness Cavaliers, steel panist and composer Ken “Professor” Philmore and Mark Loquan for their work in composing and/or arranging some of Trinidad & Tobago’s finest pieces of music.

The Trust donated to all tertiary level educational institutions musical scores of the work of Mohammed, Philmore and Loquan. Ms. Gonzales of COSTAATT (The College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago), Mr. Flax of APA-UTT (Academy for the Performing Arts/University of Trinidad and Tobago) and Jessel Murray of Sinfonia/NSSO/UWI (National Steel Symphony Orchestra /University of the West Indies) were on hand to received the scores. A number of special invited guests attend the event.
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Web Posted - Monday December 20, 2010
When Steel Talks

Silver Stars Steel Orchestra host concert series
Parang and Steel is all grown up
 

Trinidad & Tobago - The celebrated music showcase staged by reigning National Panorama champion PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars Steel Orchestra called “Parang and Steel” is all grown up.

Scores of pan lovers converged on the band’s Tragarete Road, Newtown, headquarters to celebrate the twentieth edition of it’s “Parang and Steel” concert series on November 20.

Arguably the longest running and most consistent non-competitive pan event in Trinidad and Tobago, the event attracted scores of music lovers with a star cast that included gospelypsonian Sean Daniell, Baron (Timothy Watkins), single pan band St James Tripolians, parang group Fuego Caribeno and DJ Remixx.
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Web Posted - Sunday December 19, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“Drums of Africa”
sung by Tony Prescott
 

Global - Drums of Africa is sung by Tony Prescott for steelband panorama and Carnival 2011. It is composed by Steve “'Diamond” Nanton & Alvin Daniell.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Sunday December 19, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“Do Something for Pan”
sung & Tariq Ballantine
composed Len “Boogsie” Sharpe & Gregory Ballantine
 

Global - As a cultural icon in Trinidad and Tobago - pan player, arranger and composer, “Boogsie” is dedicated to creating music that people from all walks of life can appreciate and enjoy. In addition to being a lauded soloist, he also channels his musical talents through his champion steel orchestra, Phase II Pan Groove.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Sunday December 19, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“Pan is de Ting”
sung &
composed Harry Best
 

Global - Harry Best is no stranger to pan. A native of St. Lucia in the Caribbean, Harry has been one of the top providers of pan music to patrons all over northern California for three decades. He has founded steelbands, conducted steel drum classes and promoted steel drum events.

‘Pan is the Ting’ is a cut on an upcoming album that features the collaborated efforts of Harry and producer/panist Phil Hawkins. The album is expected to be released in the spring of 2011.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Sunday December 19, 2010
Dundalk Patch

From humble beginnings, Stricker Steel Band now performs around the state
 

Maryland, USA - The Stricker Steel Band consists of 7^th and 8^th grade musicians, and each of the 25 members is also a member of the school band, chorus or orchestra program.

Catonsville High School music teacher and steel band director, James Wharton, has been a huge help in the development of the Stricker Steel Band as well, and during the past decade, the Stricker Steel Band has grown in instrumentation and musical complexity.

Earlier this month, Dec. 9, the Steel Band performed at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts as part the middle school's annual Winter Concert.
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Web Posted - Saturday December 18, 2010
Trinidad Express Newspapers

If not Panorama, what, Mr. Peters?
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.  - The stage is set not only for a spectacular extravaganza back in the "Big Yard" next March but also for a continuing discussion on Carnival and its place in national life. Such a conversation has already been caused to start by the plans Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism Winston "Gypsy" Peters has announced and the posture he has adopted.

....Equally under-articulated, together with its policy implications, is the Minister's repeated theme that Panorama, the Carnival-time competition, is "killing" pan.

If he had wanted to be provocative by so sensationalising a claim, Mr. Peters has been successful. Pan Trinbago, the steelband body entitled by law to a seat on the National Carnival Commission, has reacted badly. The organisation was last week demanding the removal of the Minister, an apology from him, and was threatening to boycott Panorama 2011.

In stormy talks with Pan Trinbago, the Minister had escalated matters beyond a rhetorical questioning of the value of Panorama. Mr. Peters drew blood with a proposal to stop payment of a $1,000 performance fee to each pan player taking part in any level of Panorama.
read more

Web Posted - Saturday December 18, 2010
Trinidad Guardian

It’s showtime for Silver Stars
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.  - This CD, produced by the Major & minor Production Ltd, is a signature collectors’ item for pan music lovers. It formally introduces an array of the really tasteful pan tunes from the artistically esteemed Daniell and his musical cohorts Edwin Pouchet, Mark Loquan, Ken “Professor” Philmore, Earl Brooks and Brian “Bean” Griffith and others. Many of the nation’s steelbands decide on their Panorama tune-selection from the material presented on this particular album/CD.

While this writer remains bemused about what constitutes a pan tune, there is no query about the quality of the material creatively written and well recorded specifically for steel orchestras participating in Panorama competitions both locally and abroad.
read more

Web Posted - Saturday December 18, 2010
Akron Beacon Journal

Historic group to pound PBS airwaves next year
Concert, documentary to air in February as part of Black History Month
 

Ohio, USA -  A DVD of the history of steel drum music and a concert by the University of Akron Steel Drum Band is expected to hit the airwaves in time for Black History Month next year.

The university is home to one of the oldest and largest collegiate steel drum bands in the country.

The release of a CD of the band's 30^th anniversary concert last April and a DVD made during a trip to Trinidad to film the music's origins, will be released to coincide with a to-be-decided air date in February, said Larry Snider, director of the percussion studies and founder of its steel drum band.
read more

Web Posted - Saturday December 18, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“Trini Explosion”
sung &
composed by Andrews “Yellows” Fareire
 

Global - Andrew “Yellows” Fareire currently performs at “Kitch’s Revue” Tent. He composes most of his songs and has written many songs for the pan.  However the selection Trini Explosion is his first recording of a song for the pan which is featured on the “2011 Calypso Compilation – It’s Showtime.”
click to hear song

Web Posted - Friday December 17, 2010
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday

Gypsy: Panorama will go on
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Arts and Multiculturalism Minister, Winston Peters is assuring the show will go on despite threats by PanTrinbago that there will be no Panorama for the 2011 Carnival season.

During an interview on radio yesterday, Peters said he will not be retracting his statements which upset the organisation, and he will not resign — the call made by PanTrinbago members at a meeting held on Thursday.

PanTrinbago executive held a press conference on Wednesday to warn that there may be no Panorama next year after Peters said pan players may not receive the $1,000 performance fee for Panorama 2011.
read more

Web Posted - Friday December 17, 2010
Trinidad Guardian

Steelband + calypso + mas = Carnival
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - For several reasons, not necessarily the right ones, steelband, calypso, mas and Carnival have become separate entities, within the multicultural rainbow society that is T&T.

....I totally agree that the scope of pan and panorama needs to be broadened, but in keeping with the perceptible death of steelpan, that “killer” statement, the after thought that pan will surely be an integral part of the Peoples Band, when coupled with the scorn and disrespect of the San Fernando steelbands, somehow adds value to the burial of Pan and not the broadening of its scope. Steelband and mas was happening and could happen again.
read more

Web Posted - Friday December 17, 2010
Trinidad Guardian

Say goodbye to Retrorama
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - I don’t give one, two, or three hoots about the single pan category of Panorama. I’m of the view it’s now another Pan Down Memory Lane competition, and an insult to pan song composers. For years I’ve been crying in the wilderness that single pan bands should play the songs of the day, and not calypsoes of the past. But Pan Trinbago isn’t listening? Since the ruling that bands in Panorama could play songs of long ago, the single pan bands competition has deteriorated like a bad sorefoot. La Horquetta Pan Groove has captured the category five times consecutively, the last being this year playing Fire Coming Down arranged by Duvonne Stewart. Very few single pan bands play songs of the day, and they must feel they are spinning top in mud in this retrorama competition which is declining in crowd value every year. Take that in yuh pueffen!
read more

Web Posted - Thursday December 16, 2010
The Daily Herald

Steel Pan Christmas Show
 

St. Maarten, W.I.  - The Ebony Steel Orchestra's "Pan in Paradise" 19^th annual steel pan Christmas concert entitled "Steel of Class" featuring Ebony Steel Orchestra presented by Dow's Musical Foundation, has become a Christmas tradition that many people look forward to. This Christmas steel pan cultural display is the brain child of entertainer and steel pan master Isidore York, also known as the Mighty Dow. This year's programme includes vocals from Snatra Bauld and Erno York with special appearances by the Panache 10-piece Steel Orchestra from Antigua.
read more

Web Posted - Thursday December 16, 2010
Ohio.com

Students hear beat of different drums
 

Ohio, USA - ....Adam is not alone in his enthusiasm.

Twenty other St. V students report to school early Tuesdays and Fridays with that same level of enthusiasm and an extra giddy-up in their steps too.

It has to do with their membership in the school's recently christened Pannation steel drum band.

''I really love music and I like trying new things,'' Adam said.

''I tried [regular] band but for some reason that didn't work out for me. But this, the steel drums, does. . . . I love the sound the pans make!''
read more

Web Posted - Thursday December 16, 2010
Trinidad Express

Peeved panmen decide today on Panorama’s future
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The pan fraternity will today decide if there will be a Panorama competition next year, in light of recent "disrespectful" statements made by Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston Peters.

Secretary of Pan Trinbago, Richard Forteau, yesterday claimed that during a meeting earlier this week, Peters said the $1,000 stipend paid to pan players during the Panorama competition should be stopped.

....Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz yesterday claimed that, to date, the State has not made a contribution towards the preparation for Panorama next year.

Funds were received in November last year for this year's competition, Diaz said.

As a result of the statements made by Peters and the lack of funding from the State so far, Forteau yesterday called on members of the pan fraternity to attend a meeting today to decide on the way forward.
read more

Web Posted - Thursday December 16, 2010
Trinidad Guardian

Pan Trinbago treats the media
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Taking time off from its ongoing row with Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston Peters and planning Panorama 2011, the executive of Pan Trinbago played host to the media on Monday evening at The House of Angostura in Laventille.

Among the pan officials entertaining guests at what was a humdinger of a lime were Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz; his vice president Bryon Serrette; Trevor Reid (Clico Sforzata); Pablo Augustus (Valley Harps); Richard Forteau (Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille); Dr Finbar Fletcher and Anthony McQuilkin (Witco Desperadoes); Angela Fox; Irmine Brazel; and, Diane Dupres. Also in attendance were Exim Bank chairman Brian Awong, Panvesco chairman Clary Benn, and Niheart official and newly installed T&T Pan Instruments Ltd chairperson Maureen Manchock.
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Web Posted - Thursday December 16, 2010
Trinidad Guardian

Desperadoes honours legends
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - On December 4, the Desperadoes Elders Organisation held its third annual awards ceremony at the Witco Desperadoes Pan Theatre atop Laventille Hill. The purpose of the ceremony was to honour the pioneers of the legendary steel orchestra who have aided in the elevation of the Desperadoes’ name.

Among the awardees were Lionel Reid, Alan Collins, Dennis “Tash” Ash, Elias “Peugeot” Phillip, Aldwin Victor, Allison “Al” Roberts, Alroy Charles, Elmer Dickerson, and Euline Corrigan-Moore. Former bassist Frank “Crawl” Findlay was honoured posthumously and his award was accepted by his son, Marcus Findlay.
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Web Posted - Thursday December 16, 2010
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday

Pan Trinbago threatens Panorama boycott
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Pan Trinbago appears to be heading into a “steelband war” with Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism, Winston “Gypsy” Peters, accusing him of saying pan players may not receive a $1,000 performance fee for Panorama 2011 which the association has threatened to boycott.

The Pan Trinbago executive is also upset over reports that Peters had criticised the association for its dependency on state funding and had questioned how money allocated for the construction of the Pan Trinbago headquarters in Trincity had been used.

As a result, Pan Trinbago’s general membership have been called to an emergency meeting at the Communication Workers Union Hall in Port-of-Spain today.
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Web Posted - Wednesday December 15, 2010
Instantencore.com

Yale Philharmonia offers Mahler, Berg, and Akiho’s new steel pan concerto January 21
 

Connecticut, USA - The Yale School of Music presents the Philharmonia Orchestra of Yale and conductor Shinik Hahm on Friday, January 21, 2011 at 8 pm in Woolsey Hall. The concert will open with Andy Akiho’s new Concerto for Steel Pans, which received its premiere December 9 in Sprague Hall. Akiho, a trained percussionist as well as composer who has studied steel pan culture in Trinidad, will be the soloist in the piece. Akiho’s concerto was selected by the Yale School of Music’s composition faculty to be performed on this program.

....Andy Akiho is an award-winning composer and performer whose interests stretch from steel pan to western classical music.
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Web Posted - Wednesday December 15, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“Ruction”
sung by Olatunji Yearwood
composed by Jason “Peanut” Isaac & Ingrid De Peiza
 

Global - Jason “Peanuts” Isaac returns with another song for the 2011 Trinidad & Tobago steelband panorama and carnival season, co-written once more with wife Ingrid de Peiza.  “Ruction” is sung by Olatunji Yearwood.

Isaac has been writing consistently for pan in the recent years; pan lovers will remember the very popular “Ten Commandments of Pan”  in 2008.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Wednesday December 15, 2010
When Steel Talks

The Greatness that greatness demands - The Prodigal Prince Returns with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Geoffrey Holder and Judith Jamison
 

New York, USA - ....There are moments in time and performances that just command attention and demand your presence if you are on the planet. The Prodigal Prince choreographed by Geoffrey Holder and performed by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater with Judith Jamison as artistic director - is one of those magical experiences. Catch it before the season ends.

....The visual, the sound, the colors, the music, the story and the dance under Holder’s leadership come together for a unique emotional and spiritual experience that cannot be justly articulated in words.
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Web Posted - Wednesday December 15, 2010
Trinidad Guardian

Phase II panyard in full swing
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Despite threats from the Port-of-Spain City Corporation to evict Phase II Pan Groove by December 31, come Boxing Night, the panyard will be the place where Trinbagonians will experience “the last big event,” according to Sean Thomas, The Jazz Alliance of Trinidad and Tobago (Jatt) president.

Entitled “Jazzang II,” the event will be held from 7 pm, presented by The Jazz Alliance of Trinidad and Tobago (Jatt) from 7 pm to midnight at Phase II’s Hamilton Street, Woodbrook location.

....From the parang community will come Alicia Jaggasar, and her group, 2010 National Parang champion and Best Tune of Choice winner, Los Alumnos de San Juan. In keeping with Jatt’s aim to promote jazz education to our younger generation, this year’s event will feature two youth groups—Diamond Vale Primary School Steel Ensemble and Las Estrellas del Este.
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Web Posted - Wednesday December 15, 2010
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday

Mas back home
We may not want to do away completely with Panorama...
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  ....Peters, calypsonian and cultural connoisseur, opined that the mother of annual steelband competitions, Panorama, was inherently “killing pan.” Pan players, he argued, expend all their efforts learning one song for the competition, do not possess a repertoire and are thus marginalised from Carnival and from the Parade of Bands.

....Clearly, some balance must be struck. We may not want to do away completely with Panorama, a huge revenue earner, major tourist attraction and a centrepiece of Carnival and of the Savannah stage. Perhaps we may wish to celebrate it on a smaller scale. We can also require bands to perform more than one piece throughout the months of the competition. Whatever our decision, it must be based on consultation and research.
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Web Posted - Tuesday December 14, 2010
When Steel Talks

The Prodigal Prince comes to life
Alvin Ailey dancers showcase Geoffrey Holder’s grand vision
 

New York, USA - The arresting presentation of Geoffrey Holder’s The Prodigal Prince unfolds in full flight during the 2010 New York Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) season at New York’s City Center. Created as a tribute to Haitian artistry, the production celebrates Haitian painter and Vodou priest Hector Hyppolite whose genius Geoffrey Holder holds in high esteem. “He [Hyppolite] is the Picasso of Haitian Art,” says Holder.
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Web Posted - Tuesday December 14, 2010
AnnArbor.com

Celebrate ‘A Calypso Christmas’ with tuneful Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band
 

Michigan, USA - It may not be the depths of winter just yet, but it’s never too early for the kind of musical warmth generated by the Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band.

Based in Ypsilanti and known worldwide, the pioneering ensemble will perform “A Calypso Christmas” Thursday night at The Ark.

The group's roots are in the beginnings of steel pan music in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, in the 1940s.

....According to Hugh Borde, who became the group’s leader in 1951, The Ark show will include steel pan versions of familiar holiday favorites.
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Web Posted - Monday December 13, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“We the People”
sung by “Crazy”
composed by Edwin Ayoung & Winsford Devine
 

Global - Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung returns with another song for the 2011 Trinidad & Tobago steelband panorama and carnival season, urging “unity” in the country.  Co-written with well-known veteran composer Winsford Devine, “We the People” exhorts the multi-ethnic groups in the country to build one nation together, reiterating the same passionate sentiment long expressed in the twin-island republic’s national anthem.

“We the People” follows his first selection released earlier for the season called “Percy,” another joint composition between him and Devine.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Monday December 13, 2010
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday

Panorama Killing Steelbands
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  The Grand Stand will definitely be completed before February 10. This assurance came yesterday as three government ministers toured the site for the newly constructed Grand Stand (Carnival venue) at the Queen’s Park Savannah yesterday. After touring, the Minister of Art and Multi-culturalism Winston Peters, together with Works Minister Jack Warner and Public Utilities Minister Emmanuel George addressed the media.

....Peters also noted that the Panorama competition was killing steelbands.

....Peters also spoke out on steelpan saying that Panorama competition is killing steelpan. “When pan men are asked to learn just one song for this competition, then every other calypso is left out and steelpan finds it way on the side and not as a major part for the Parade of Bands,” he said.

Peters also outlined his ministry’s plans to bring out a “people’s band” where the People’s Partnership Government will provide music trucks as they invite the public to wear any costume and join in. “The aim is to provide a band for the ordinary man who just wants to join in and have a good time,” Peters said.
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Web Posted - Monday December 13, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“On the Bull Track”
sung & composed by Roland Lyons
 

Global - On the Bull Track marks Roland Lyons’ maiden attempt of commercially launching a pan tune in time for the upcoming 2011 Carnival season. However, Roland is by no means a stranger to the pan fraternity having played with some of the best Steel Orchestras in Trinidad and Tobago over a span of 20 years. Some of the bands on his résumé are Cordettes, Exodus, Pamberi, Desperadoes and Phase II Pan Groove.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Sunday December 12, 2010
When Steel Talks

Andy Akiho takes the steelpan to the Yale School of Music
with Concerto for Steel Pans & Orchestra
 

Connecticut, USA - With the world watching literally from every corner of the globe through a live streaming internet broadcast, musician and composer Andy Akiho brought the steelpan instrument front and center to the collective consciousness of the prestigious Yale School of Music.

In a concert featuring new music for orchestra by Yale composers, Andy Akiho’s Concerto for Steel Pans, with Akiho as soloist was performed at Morse Recital Hall with the Yale Philharmonia, and Shinik Hahm as conductor. Akiho challenges the accepted boundaries and expectations for the steelpan instrument both in terms of music for the instrument and accepted performance techniques.
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Web Posted - Sunday December 12, 2010
When Steel Talks

Panman/Film maker Dalton Narine picks up Award
 

California, USA - Dalton Narine, producer/director of “Mas Man Peter Minshall,” recently picked up his fourth award for Best Documentary at the New York International Film Festival Award Ceremony in Beverly Hills, California. The next day, while in Hollywood for the screening of "Mas Man" at the Los Angeles International Film Festival, Narine learned that the work had won its category at the South African International Film Festival.
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Web Posted - Sunday December 12, 2010
When Steel Talks

The British Association of Steelbands 12^th Annual Awards
 

London, ENGLAND - The BAS (British Association of Steelbands) Awards Dinner event celebrated its 12^th year in existence on Saturday 4^th December 2010, since its initiation in 1999 in the humble surroundings of the Tabernacle which now houses the refurbished Carnival Village. The event continues to develop in leaps and bounds setting the standards for similar events organized by the other UK Carnival arenas.

The Association celebrated their annual awards ceremony at the Holiday Inn in Bloomsbury, London.  The event was established to celebrate the successes of bands and individuals and to recognize and honor their excellence.
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Web Posted - Sunday December 12, 2010
Trinidad Guardian

Minister raps Pan Trinbago
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Describing the skeletal structure as a “white elephant,” a visibly irate Peters said: “Pan Trinbago has been constructing this headquarters since God knows when. They got the land for free; they got funding to complete and still it is not finished. We have to take a critical look at these entities because whilst the headquarters cannot be completed the executive lives high on the hog. Something inside there is amiss.”  Warning that the increase in his budgetary allocation would be equally shared, Peters said entities such as Pan Trinbago continued to be dependent on the purse string of the State.  “I have received more funding to help them but the time has come for these interest groups to help themselves.

Organisations like these have become too dependent on the purse strings of the Government to do everything. It is indeed my desire to give Pan Trinbago a home but they need to want a home bad enough where they are going to be prepared to help themselves.

“I just cannot understand for the life of me, that an organisation in existence for so long, receive millions annually and still cannot generate money on their own. This has to stop! They cannot be dependent on the Government for everything. We have to take a critical look at what is happening with these interest groups.”
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Web Posted - Thursday December 9, 2010
ABC15.com

Corona del Sol High School Steelband to perform at Fiesta Bowl Parade
 

Arizona, USA  - Don’t expect to see your typical marching band, when Corona del Sol High School takes to the streets during the Fiesta Bowl Parade.

The band has decided to take a different approach.

Their steel band won’t walk, but rather ride on a 45-foot float and play island-style music.

For three weeks, 56 students who play in the band have been coming to school an hour early to practice for the Dec. 31 parade.
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Web Posted - Thursday December 9, 2010
When Steel Talks

National Junior Steelband Festival 2010:  Results
Trinidad and Tobago
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Results are available for the  14^th Biennial National Junior Steelband Music Festival held at the Jean Pierre Complex in Port-of-Spain and the Rudranath Capildeo Learning Resource Center in Couva, central Trinidad.

The festival was a collaboration between the Ministry of Education’s Pan in the Classroom Unit, and the Pan in Schools Coordinating Council.
click for results

Web Posted - Wednesday December 8, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tragedy for New York Steelpan Community
Steelpan music supporter murdered
 

New York -  Yesterday evening, Merv was shot and killed in front of his home on Brooklyn Avenue. We often lament the levels of violence that our society has come to. The anger in the streets, in particular among our youth is palpable and we have reached a point where we can label many of them as depraved. This, and other incidents bring home how tenuous our hold on life is. We lament the loss of our players and arrangers. So too should we mourn when a strong supporter is taken from us.
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Web Posted - Wednesday December 8, 2010
The Comet

Steel Drum Band is “Jamaican” Catonsville Community Crazy
 

Virginia, USA - Do you find yourself wondering what that music is afterschool in the basement? Well, that is Catonsville High School’s Steel Drum Band. The band, under the directing of Jim Wharton originated in 1992, and ever since has been "Jamaican" the Catonsville Community crazy.

Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday the group practices after-school from 2:30 to 4:30. The band practices the songs that they will play for the upcoming concert, or they will practice new music Mr. Wharton hands out.

The Steel Drum Band plays shows on the weekend and during the week. Shows range from performing at elementary schools during the week to performing at venues like Charlestown Retirement Community on the weekend.
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Web Posted - Tuesday December 7, 2010
When Steel Talks

Bowei keeps Steelpan flag flying in Nigeria - against the odds
 

Nigeria -  That the second annual Secondary School Steel Band Competition in Lagos, Nigeria came off at all, is itself testimony to a love of the steelband culture and art form, embodied in the personage of Nigerian Bowie Sonnie Bowei. Exactly four years to the day had passed between the inaugural Secondary School Steel Band competition on November 23, 2006 and the 2010 edition of the competition. Even though Nigeria is an oil-rich nation and boasts a developed economy, for the second time Bowei staged the event and bore all the related expenses of this steelband showcase on his own - with zero financial assistance from government or the private sector. “The four-year gap is a natural result of the financial pressure on me. All the panoramas were solely sponsored by me. Private organisations in Nigeria do not sponsor any program because they believe in it and just want to promote it. They look at the benefits they can get from it. If there are none, no sponsorship” says Bowei flatly.
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Web Posted - Tuesday December 7, 2010
When Steel Talks

Nigeria Steelpan Festival for Secondary Schools
 

Nigeria -  The second annual Secondary School Steel Band Competition was held in Lagos, Nigeria on November 23 and featured steel orchestras from seven schools. The brainchild of steelpan entrepreneur Chief Bowie Sonnie Bowei, the steelband competition was a labor of love for this steelpan enthusiast. The show unfolded in the Gymnasium Hall of the National Stadium located in Surulere, Lagos where the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was also in attendance. He was presented with an award for bringing the first Steelband to play in Nigeria in 1977 (Trinidad & Tobago’s Starlift Steel Orchestra) when he was Military Head of State. That appearance by Starlift birthed the Steelpan concept and today’s movement in Nigeria.
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Web Posted - Monday December 6, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“Ah Coming Down”
sung by Keith “Designer” Prescott
composed by Miguel Reyes
 

Global - Another year has gone by, and a new crop of songs is coming your way for 2011. Miguel Reyes and Keith “Designer” Prescott have come together yet again for the upcoming carnival season and released one of his songs for the steelbands.
It is “Ah Coming Down,” one of the selections off the 2011 CD to be released in the near future.

This is the second year Designer has vocalized one of Miguel’s pieces, though they have been working together over the last few years. In 2010 off the CD “Panorama Fest 2010,” Designer sang two selections:  “Music in My Ear” and “Pan after Pan.”
click to hear song

Web Posted - Sunday December 5, 2010
Trinidad Express Newspapers

Pan magic in the midwest
 

Illinois, USA -  It was a cold, grey day in DeKalb, Illinois where the Canadian geese were swirling and the corn fields were cut and brown. No snow yet on this past Sunday, November 14, but it was the kind of day that snow flurries seemed not far away. Meanwhile, deep within the centre of the Music Building on campus at Northern Illinois University (NIU), one of the best steelbands in North America gave another of its stunning concerts that was hot, hot, hot! When doors opened for this free event, patrons poured into the concert hall in a mad rush to grab the best seats. On the Internet, pan fans from around the world were able to watch and hear the concert on a live internet feed as they have for every NIU steelband concert over the last few years.
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Web Posted - Sunday December 5, 2010
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday

Govt supporting Phase II in battle with PoS Corp
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Port-of-Spain Mayor Louis Lee Sing’s “newness” in the post may have accounted for his unwillingness to allow veteran steelband Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove to remain at its Hamilton Street, Woodbrook, base, which it has occupied since 1972, Local Government Minister Chandresh Sharma said yesterday.

During an informal news conference at the band’s panyard, hosted by Phase II member Felipe Noguera, Sharma promised members and supporters he will meet immediately with Lee Sing to hammer out the issue, which is threatening to impact Phase II’s performance in next year’s national Panorama competition.

“Immediately, I will communicate with His Worship, the Mayor of the city of Port-of-Spain. I think, perhaps unfortunately, that he is suffering from newness,” Sharma said to loud cheers from panmen and supporters. “The panyard has a place and we must do everything in our power to encourage it, to accommodate it. What pan players do for us, very few people do.”
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Web Posted - Saturday December 4, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“Calling Meh”
sung by Destra Garcia
composed by Mark Loquan & Ken “Professor” Philmore
lyrics by Destra Garcia
 

Global - Destra Garcia is one of  Trinidad and Tobago’s most versatile soca artists; she has as great a love for the steelpan instrument and art form, as she does performing on stage. 

Hailing from a musical family, Destra says:  “When I am up there performing, I feel the music as I move and I know it’s great to be a woman. I revel in my sensuality. I want women to look at me and say ‘Way To Go Destra,’ because I am representing them and I look good doing so.”
click to hear song

Web Posted - Saturday December 4, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“Miss Lucy”
sung by Richard Rennie
composed by Neil Matthew Simon
 

Global - Neil Matthew Simon is a professional musician who began his music career as a member of the Port-of-Spain Laventille Police Youth Club in 1991.

....For the 2011 season Neil and a few of his colleagues of the NSSO have supported the pan fraternity by making a contribution to the year’s panorama. His composition Miss Lucy sung by Richard Rennie and arranged by Kareem Brown, is his debut and a flavor of things to come.
click to hear

Web Posted - Saturday December 4, 2010
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday

’Cubs show their “Exollence”
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  The Sagicor Exocubs Steel Orchestra, the youth arm of Exodus, recently held its biennial concert, Exollence 3, at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s, under the musical directorship of Desmond Waithe and the artistic direction of Davlin Thomas.

The first half of the show featured the senior members of the orchestra in a musical play tracing the history of steel pan in Trinidad and Tobago. Musical selections included “Oil and Music”, “I Want You Back,” “Ipi Ntombi,” “Slave,” and “Caribbean Man”. Guest performers during this segment included guitarist Therron Shaw, who accompanied the young panists on the song “Take Five”, Mavis John, who performed “Release The Doves,” accompanied by the Exocubs and saxophonist Bridgid Haynes.
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Web Posted - Saturday December 4, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“Pan in de Panyard”
sung by Anslem Douglas
composed by Brent “Antics” Holder
 

Global - Composer- arranger-educator Brent Holder has at last found time in his busy schedule to compose his own tune - Pan in de Panyard - for panorama. Penned for the 2011 Panorama season, Brent also wrote the lyrics.  The idea behind the tune is to give people who do not know - insight into how steel bands get ready for panorama.  Produced by Junior ‘Ibo’ Joseph, Pan in the Panyard will be CSI’s Panorama tune for 2011 in the UK National Panorama competition.
click to hear

Web Posted - Thursday December 2, 2010
Trinidad Express

Phase II must vacate panyard
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Five-time Panorama champion, Phase II Pan Groove, must vacate its Hamilton Street home before year's end in order to make way for the completion of the One Woodbrook Place Project.

Port of Spain Mayor, Louis Lee Sing, advised the band's manager, Errol Skerritt, of the decision in a meeting last week Thursday, a release from Phase II stated yesterday. Phase II has called Hamilton Street in Woodbrook home for over 30 years.

...."I advised them that the time for relocation is long overdue. It is not a question of eviction. The decision was based on all that has transpired to date. This issue is many years old, long before many believed I would have become mayor," Lee Sing said.
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Web Posted - Thursday December 2, 2010
When Steel Talks

Vanessa Alexandra Headley - Steelpan Gem
 A When Steel Talks Spotlight
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Vanessa Alexandra Headley has been playing the steelpan, the national instrument of her native Trinidad and Tobago since the age of four (4).  She placed first in the Caribbean Secondary Examinations Music Exam in 2004 and later received a three-year academic scholarship from the Music Literacy Trust of Trinidad and Tobago and pursued a Bachelor of Arts in the Musical Arts at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, Trinidad.

Now aged twenty-one, Miss Headley has won over twenty-two music festival championships.
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Web Posted - Thursday December 2, 2010
When Steel Talks

National Junior Steelband Festival 2010
Trinidad and Tobago
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Ministry of Education’s Pan in the Classroom Unit, in collaboration with the Pan in Schools Coordinating Council hosts the Ministry of Education’s 14^th Biennial National Junior Steelband Music Festival being held at the Jean Pierre Complex, Port of Spain and the Rudranath Capildeo Learning Resource Center, Couva, Trinidad.
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Web Posted - Wednesday December 1, 2010
When Steel Talks

Tune for Panorama 2011
“Pan For Peace”
sung by Sheldon Reid - composed by Kygel Benjamin & Amrit Samaroo
 

Global - The music of Kygel Benjamin (pictured) came together with the lyrics of respected steelband arranger and composer Amrit Samaroo after a close friend of both - a mother of three and a long standing member of Desperadoes - was hit by a bullet outside her own steel band’s yard.

Thankfully she was not severely injured but it was still too much to bear. Kygel and Amrit moved then to make a statement in song to highlight the situation on ‘The Hill’ which had already seen the great institution of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra fleeing to ‘quieter parts’ on the foot of their once majestic throne.

The situation has since eased considerably but, say the songwriters, “This melodic plea is to make us aware that we all have a part to play - however big or small - in keeping the peace. We have to ensure that never again should the ‘pan titan,’ that is Desperadoes, be moved from their own home.”  

Pan for Peace is vocalized by former Young King Sheldon Reid.
click to hear

Web Posted - Wednesday December 1, 2010
When Steel Talks

Integrating The Three Elements of Carnival:  Steelpan, Calypso and Mas
Summary of 3^rd International Conference on Steelpan
 

Global - The 3^rd International Conference on Steelpan witnessed a paradigm shift in intellectual debate on the carnival arts as compared to the first held in 2006. This year’s theme - ‘Integrating the three elements of Carnival: Steelpan, Calypso and Mas’ - revealed that practitioners in the field hold a unanimous position on the benefits of forging greater symbiosis among these three art forms. Whereas calypsonians in Trinidad can expect their compositions to be played by steelbands on the road and contested at Panorama, the UK’s home-grown calypsonians are rarely honoured in this way, despite the high standards achieved yearly.

The use of Mas as a creative expression of cultural, political or historically relevant themes is, even if pursued by craftsmen, are lost amongst UK audiences who are disengaged from the lyrical social prowess of calypso or indeed the historical roots of carnival. The potentiality for social evolution and creativity derived from these three art forms is highly under-utilised in the UK today with calypso, steelpan and mas never having been combined holistically on the road.
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Web Posted - Wednesday December 1, 2010
Caribbean News Now!

Pilgrimage to Laventille
Pan Relay: ‘Greatest’ assembly of steel orchestras
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Last Sunday’s Pan Relay from Piccadilly Greens to WITCO Desperadoes panyard in Laventille was more of a “pilgrimage” than a relay. It reminded one of the stations of the cross on Good Friday where people would walk to a station, say a prayer and move on. Despite this, it was the greatest assembly of steel orchestras outside of the National Panorama competition. Ministers Winston “Gypsy” Peters and John Sandy, his adviser Roy Augustus along with NCC chairman Kenny De Silva and his operations manager Errol Peru walked Laventille Road; stopping at intervals to hear pan music.

Augustus explained: “The objective of the pan relay is to give Desperadoes the option to stay on the hill to prepare for Panorama. We can’t tell them to stay but the Ministry will support the NCC and Desperadoes to keep the legacy of being on the hill. At present the police await a committee from Desperadoes to talk with them as to their needs.
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