When Steel Talks

Quick Listen - Tunes for Panorama and Carnival 2014
You Tube Short Takes

Web Posted - Monday June 30, 2014
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The fourth annual Birdsong benefit concert was appropriately held in the Lord Kitchener auditorium at NAPA on June 22. As an icon of T&T’s musical patrimony, Kitch would surely have approved of the proceedings: Compositions inspired by pan; a new generation of musicians shaped and nurtured by some of our extant maestros and the sheer ebullience that goes with vibrant, live performance.

Despite its status as premier performance venue, neither NAPA itself or Kitch’s auditorium is audience- or performer-friendly. The opening segment was performed by the Birdsong Steel Orchestra, augmented by a brass and woodwind section composed of students and faculty, positioned at the back of a cavernous stage, too far from the audience to establish the kind of intimate rapport necessary for a sizzling collaboration.
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Web Posted - Friday June 27, 2014
When Steel Talks

Illinois, USA - In 1964 twenty-two members of the Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband toured the United States and created steelpan music history. Among the virtual who’s who of outstanding panists who were picked for the tour was noted NIU (Northern Illinois University) tuner, steelpan instrument builder and program director Clifford Alexis.

In this exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Clifford Alexis shares his thoughts and memories on this historic undertaking, the 1964 Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband and more.
click for interview

Web Posted - Wednesday June 18, 2014
Tobago News

Tobago, W.I. - Last week Wednesday, the Chief Secretary, Orville London spearheaded a noble effort to get an input from the Tobago cultural community into discussions on the issue of internal self-government for Tobago.

The issue of culture as it relates to further autonomy for Tobago must be looked at in a variety of ways.

Firstly, it is the view of this column that Tobago cannot and must not be the 'be-all-and-end-all' of our existence as a people. It is an undeniable fact that Tobago is a Caribbean island in the Western Hemisphere. It was an island populated by native islanders (Caribs), then came the Europeans and the genocide of the original population took place.

....The intimate family connections between Tobagonians and urban Trinis meant that the steel pan instruments soon reached Tobago.

....In Tobago, like Trinidad, our steelbands are mostly condemned to the Panorama competition at carnival time. The steelband movement will only prosper to develop into a more administratively powerful Tobago if, the authorities understand the value of the steelband as a social stabilising factor and lucrative industry to sustain year-round employment.
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Web Posted - Wednesday June 18, 2014
When Steel Talks

Brooklyn, New York, USA - “Extra, Extra, read all about it - the CASYM Steel Orchestra organization has executed another successful event.” You have heard the narrative, seen the headline and lived the experience before, but it never gets old. In fact CASYM continues to find new ways to out-do previous expectations of them, accomplishments and here-and-now activities. All this is commensurate with the fact that CASYM has one of the best steelpan music education and performance programs in North America.

This past weekend, CASYM held its annual Spring Concert which is designed to showcase the multiple talents of the CASYM performing arts and music education programs that serve the Brooklyn, New York communities.
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Web Posted - Tuesday June 17, 2014
Barnacle Newspaper

St. George’s, Grenada, W.I. - A highlight of the 2013 Carnival Season was the quick payment of competition prizes, including those involving the national steel-band competitions. The NLA created history on Friday, 13^th June, 2014 by presenting cheques totalling EC$24,000.00 to eight (8) steel-bands. These bands participated in the SMC/NLA Pan Expressions – formerly known as the “Bomb-Tune Competition.”

Representatives of the 8 steel-bands which took part in the first national steel-band competition for the Carnival season, on Sunday, 4^th May, 2014 at the Tanteen Hard Court, were awarded their participatory prizes of EC$3,000.00 each. The bands competing were: Waggy T Pan Ossia, Grand Roy Pan Angels, LIME Commancheros, Coyaba New Dimensions, Rainbow City All-Stars, Digicel Florida All-Stars, Pan Lovers and Republic Bank Angel Harps. Suzuki Pan Wizards did not compete.
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Web Posted - Monday June 16, 2014
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Steelpan pioneer Anthony Williams ORTT (Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago) will be celebrating his 83^rd birthday with a steelband concert in his honor. The gala event takes place at the St. James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St. James, on Saturday June 21, 2014, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

....When the steelpan was still in its infancy, Anthony Williams aka “Tony” was able to design a pan with notes spaced at intervals of fifths; because the instrument’s surface looked like a spider web, Williams called it the “Spider Web Pan.” It was he who introduced ‘wheels on pans’ for Panorama.
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Web Posted - Thursday June 12, 2014
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Rochester New York, USA -  Last month James Monroe High School welcomed a very special guest indeed, legendary Antiguan steel drummer Veron Henry. Fifteen years ago, Henry brought his world renowned Hell’s Gate Steel Orchestra to play in Rochester. As it was too expensive to transport their instruments by plane, Henry and his team instead built a set of “pans” here at the John Marshall High School. The band subsequently donated these nine instruments to the school. Thus began two of the great musical traditions of the RCSD: the Steel Drum program (now at Monroe) and Urban Steel.

But drums need regular tuning, especially ones past ten years old. To assist, Henry generously returned to Rochester and tuned up his creations. Needless to say, his visit was a treat for teachers and students. The pans are good to go.
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Web Posted - Thursday June 12, 2014
Trinidad Express Newspapers

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.  -  Sunday when the Port of Spain City Corporation continues its ongoing 100^th anniversary celebrations.

The theme of the event is “The City of Pan—100 years stronger”. Among the highlights will be performances by artistes from Tobago and the RBC Redemption Sound Setters. The steelband extravaganza starts at 3 pm and culminates with a jamboree at Woodford Square, Port of Spain, at 8 pm.

....Deputy Mayor Keron Valentine, said in a telephone interview on Wednesday: “Fathers will be in for a great treat. We have 26 top steelband orchestras parading through the streets of east Port of Spain starting on the Piccadilly Greens. Steelband started around the bridge.
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Web Posted - Tuesday June 10, 2014
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Eighteen steel orchestras will take to the Western Main Road, in St. James, Trinidad, on Sunday June 15^th in the Steelband Parade from 3:00 p.m. as WeBeat 2014 comes to a close.

Participating steel orchestras—the majority of which hail from the West—include Silver Stars, St. James Tripolians, Woodbrook Playboyz, Scrunters Pan Groove, Woodbrook Modernaires, Scrunters Pan Groove, Starlift, Humming Bird Pan Groove, Harvard Harps, Brimblers, Musical Gems, Power Stars and Trinidad Pan Connoisseurs.
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Web Posted - Tuesday June 10, 2014
UWI Campus News

St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Trinidad and Tobago – On Wednesday June 4, 2014, at the Office of the Campus Principal, The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, a formal ceremony saw the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) between The UWI and Pan Trinbago. The signing took place at the Office of the Campus Principal.

....Specifically, with the upcoming International Pan Conference (IPC) and Panorama, the parties have agreed to host joint activities relating to the hosting of the IPC and Panorama to be held in August 2015. In this regard UWI has agreed to be Patron of the Conference and to lend support to the Conference by providing human resources to the Conference Steering Committee in the planning of activities relating to the conference.
click for MOU details

Web Posted - Tuesday June 10, 2014
Herts and Essex Observer

Hertfordshire, England - The world was a global classroom  for intrepid pupils at Little Hadham Primary.

The children explored different countries and each continent was represented in their work for the school’s Around the World Week project.

....Members of steel pan company Day ‘o Drums spent a day in school working with each class on music from their chosen country and incorporating steel drums into the mix.

“All the children had a chance to play on the pans and shared their talents with parents at the end of the day,” said headteacher Liz Stockley.
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Web Posted - Monday June 9, 2014
When Steel Talks

Cuba - The Codrington Pan Family recently did the steelpan instrument and movement and their country proud with great performances in Cuba. It all began with their May 16th journey to the Caribbean island.

The ace music group participated in Cubadisco 2014, the eighteenth edition of that international event. Each year Cubadisco showcases a particular music genre and also highlights one specific country.

....“Trinidad and Tobago—being the country of steelpan, one of the most beautiful percussive instruments—was made the guest of honour. The Codrington Pan Family was selected as one of the groups to represent Trinidad and Tobago at Cubadisco 2014. The Cubadisco Fair ran from May 17-25.”
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Web Posted - Monday June 9, 2014
Abington Patch

Delaware, USA - Peace Drums Project, an innovative music undertaking to create harmony and promote peace among Jewish, Christian and Muslim youth in Israel, hosted it’s 2^nd annual Peace Drums Concert Event on Sunday, June 8, 2014, to help fund the next delivery of steel drums to Israel. The free event featured live Steel Drums Bands, delicious Israeli food, raffle prizes, and more!

The Peace Drums Project began after local religious leaders met to brainstorm ways to promote peace in the Middle East.
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Web Posted - Monday June 9, 2014
WBCO AM 1540

Ohio, USA - The back lawn of Woodlawn United Methodist Church was turned into a tropic beach barbeque as the Dover High School Steel Drum Band performed at the church’s barbeque event Saturday evening.

Performing an array of Calypso as well as a few familiar songs arranged for steel instruments, The Dover Steel Drum Band left the audience giving the students a standing ovation.

....While playing in many parts of Ohio as well as nationally this was the first time the Dover band had played in Bucyrus.

....The Dover Steel Drum Band covered John Lennon’s “Imagine,” as well as “Amazing Grace,” before closing with “So Ca Pressure.”

“We like to play a few songs that people wouldn’t expect. We perform a few classic rock songs “Dy’er Maker” by Led Zeppelin, and “Americash Express” by Crosby Stills and Nash.” Tony Yosick said.
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Web Posted - Monday June 9, 2014
CaymanCompass.com

Cayman Islands, W.I.  -  Sixteen-year-old Ethan Whittaker has been honored as Butterfield Young Musician of the Year 2014 for his performance on steel pan.

At the Young Musician of the Year competition at the Harquail Theatre last week, 13 finalists ages 15 to 18 performed for judges. The finalists were chosen from a series of auditions over three weeks at schools across the island that drew 150 participants.

“I’m thrilled,” Ethan said after the show. “Steel pan has been a major influence in my life.”
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Web Posted - Saturday June 7, 2014
CBS Minnesota

Cops Find Steel Drum Band’s Stolen Parade Float

Minnesota, USA - ....some good news to report about a story from earlier this week. Police in Crystal say they’ve found a parade float that had been stolen.

The Zurah Shriner Steel Drum Band uses the float for parades throughout the summer.

....police say they found it at Rum River Park.

The thieves took a generator and amplifier off the trailer, but there’s no other damage.
read update

Web Posted - Saturday June 7, 2014
When Steel Talks

Global -  Steel pan music connoisseurs are in for a delightful treat with the release of the DVD of the National Trinidad & Tobago Single Pan & Small Steel Orchestra Finals. The DVD captures the sights and sounds of the competition that was staged at Skinner Park in San Fernando, Trinidad, earlier this year.
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Web Posted - Friday June 6, 2014
CarnivalSVG.com

St. Vincent & The Grenadines, W.I. -  Eighteen- year-old Kasique Oliver is well on his way to becoming a music protégé.

Apart from his trophy for winning the first ever Bank of Nova Scotia Solo Pan Clash on Sunday May 25^th at Heritage Square, the Potential Steel Orchestra member will receive music lessons for one year, from local pan maestro-in-the-making Rodney Small.

Following his training, the Potential Steel Orchestra member is expected to take a musical examination from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM).
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Web Posted - Thursday June 5, 2014
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The nine-day WeBeat St James Live Festival staged by the St James Community Improvement Committee (CIC) begins this evening and runs until June 15, at The Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St James.

....WeBeat which celebrates T&T’s cultural heritage and diversity will include additional events such as ARTBeat (June 11) at which artisans can display their crafts; book launch by national football icon Lincoln Phillips; WeCruise aboard The Treasure Queen on June 14; and, the merging of the popular steelband parade with that of the Port-of-Spain City Corporation’s on June 15, from 3 pm.

....June 12 is designated Steel & Jazz featuring PSC Nitrogen Silver Stars, Leston Paul, Clifford Charles and Rhapsody, while We Kaiso, featuring young and veteran artistes is on June 13. For these events the admission fees range from $50 to $150.
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Web Posted - Wednesday June 4, 2014
Lewiston Sun Journal

Maine, USA - Pan Fried Steel, a community steel band based in Yarmouth, will be the next group to perform at the Vienna Union Hall at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 21. The band started about 14 years ago when parents of North Yarmouth Academy students wanted the same fun their kids were having while learning to play steel drums. The band draws members from southern and mid-coast Maine including Auburn, Greene, and Boothbay.

....The band Pan Fried Steel plays a diverse repertoire including calypso, jazz, reggae, soca, Latin, swing, pop and even a Pete Seeger original. They cover music from Charlie Parker and Jimmy Buffett to the Beach Boys.
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Web Posted - Monday June 2, 2014
CBS Minnesota

Minnesota, USA - A popular parade band may have to go silent this summer because its float has gone missing.

The custom float that takes the Zuhrah Shrine Steel Drum Band to parades around the state was stolen this weekend, which means they could miss parades in more than a dozen communities this summer.

The sounds of the islands come alive when Dave Hanson plays the steel drums. He’s the director of the Zuhrah Shrine Steel Drum Band, a fixture at parades around the state.

“We have parades lined up for this summer,” he said, “all the way from Isanti down to Forest Lake, out to Litchfield, down to Le Sueur.”
see video, read more

Web Posted - Monday June 2, 2014
When Steel Talks

Georgia, USA - Pan icon Mr. Robert Greenidge was honored by The Trini Posse of Conyers, Georgia, USA on May 26th, 2014. Mr. Greenidge was in town for a concert with The Jimmy Buffett Coral Reefer Band in Atlanta. In appreciation for the many years of his contribution to the Steel Pan World, Mr. Greenidge was awarded with a surprise gala hosted and organized by Miss Lynette “The Priestess” Rocke and Mr. Don Clarke of Atlanta, Georgia.

The event drew a large crowd of friends and supporters who were anxious to meet and shake hands with this musical genius, including Mr. Barnet “Preacher” Henry, calypso singer of the hit tune “Jump and Wine.”
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Web Posted - Tuesday June 3, 2014
Tobago News

Tobago, W.I. - More than 100 young people have registered to take part in Carib Dixieland's annual pan classes. The new recruits, along with their parents came out in their numbers to register for the music classes last week Saturday afternoon.

The pan band, which is the pride of the Carnbee/Mt Pleasant communities, is managed by former all-round sportsman McNicol Nicholson.

It was he who led the band’s recruitment drive for the classes by engaging in a house-to-house campaign to encourage parents to allow their children to be part of the programme.

In addressing the gathering of young people, Nicholson told them that he was very pleased to see that so many people had responded to the home visits and invitations to be a part of the pan classes. Nicholson noted that “the invitation to learn to play the national instrument is a once in a lifetime experience, because the pan will become a new friend and it will be an amazing feeling when you master the art of playing the steelpan.”
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Web Posted - Monday June 2, 2014
FranceAntilles.fr

Unique au monde, un peu comme notre tour de la Martinique des yoles rondes, le Festival de la guitare et du steel-pan, au fil des années, a gagné ses lettres de noblesse.

Guadeloupe, W.I. - Cette huitième édition a été marquée par la présence de pointures de niveau internationales comme le guitariste brésilien Daniel Marquès, le célèbre pianiste Frantz Laurac, de talentueux artistes de la nouvelle scène comme Nicolas Lossen et d'autres invités de Trinidad comme Duvone Stewart, le SXM Jazz Expérience ainsi que par les jeunes du Karukéra Steel Band de Guadeloupe, qui ont fait sensation samedi soir sur la place Bertin. Originaires, pour la plupart de Capesterre-Belle-Eau, ces jeunes, pour la plupart autodidactes, nous ont fait voyager à travers l'univers des rythmes caribéens, de la soka au compas, en passant par le calypso et la biguine avec une petite pointe de classique. Luigi Dubois, directeur artistique du festival, et Gérard Moustin, au nom des organisateurs et de la ville du Carbet, ainsi que Gilles Valère, président de l'office de tourisme de Saint-Pierre, ont exprimé leur satisfaction, à l'issue de la prestation.

Le leader du Karukéra Steel Band, Yanis Roset, visiblement ému par l'accueil du public, nous a même promis un grand retour dans la ville d'art et d'histoire.”
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When Steel Talks

RESULTS for the Trinidad & Tobago 2014 Panorama
 

Global - Final results and those from the qualifying rounds, of respective categories in competition in the 2014 Trinidad and Tobago Panorama are all in! Get the stats from the preliminaries, semifinals and finals for all the conventional steel orchestras of Trinidad & Tobago which competed in the 2014 Panorama season. 
click for full results

When Steel Talks

Get your headphones - and Just Listen!!

Panorama 2013 Panyard Recordings
by Basement Recordings

New York, USA - For this year 2013, Basement Recordings captured six of Brooklyn’s finest steel orchestras franchises as part of their annual panyard panorama music recording series. All the orchestras operated at very high level this year and were indeed deserving of having their musical performance captured and preserved for the historical, cultural and community archives.

....The steel orchestras recorded this year are Despers USA; Pantonic; CrossFire; D’Radoes; Sonatas and CASYM, the eventual 2013 Panorama champion.
click for more

When Steel Talks

Results - 2013 New York Panorama


 

New York, USA - Full results for the 2013 New York Panorama which took place at the back of the Brooklyn Museum are here.  CASYM Steel Orchestra, celebrating their 30^th anniversary this year, have also added the title of Panorama champions to their list of accomplishments. Pan Sonatas which placed fourth last year moved up two to second place, while D’Radoes  Steel Orchestra placed third for the third year running.  Pan Fantasy from Canada went away with fourth place.
click for full results & breakdown

Web Posted
When Steel Talks

Upcoming

Global  - Upcoming Steelpan music events from all over the world
click to calendar

Web Posted
When Steel Talks - Special

Champion Panorama Tunes of Trinidad and Tobago

Global - A critical component to winning any panorama competition is the song the orchestras choose to use as the basis of their panorama arrangements. Over the years these songs have inspired classic panorama arrangements. When Steel Talks invites you to take a look at and listen to, these famed tunes which have played more than just a cursory part in the history of Pan, and the lives of the players and fans.
click to hear and/or view