Web Posted - Wednesday May 31, 2017
When Steel Talks

New York, USA - ....Maybe it was the threat of more rain—after days of the same continuously—on another dreary day that looked more like the beginning of March, than the beginning of the Summer gateway, May, in the Big Apple. Or maybe it was that retrograde feeling that appears to be taking cues out of David Rudder’s “Madness” that seems to have the world in its grip these days.

Whatever the reason for the lowering of the apparent world happiness index, the annual NYU Steel Spring Concert was on time and just what the doctor ordered. A serious reprieve from that red banner across the screen screaming Breaking News.

The doors opened a little after 7:00 p.m. to let the sizable crowd lined up outside, into the Frederick Loewe Theatre on the NYU campus. Within minutes the theatre reflected near-capacity - to be later completely filled with some of the late arrivers on this Friday evening.
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Web Posted - Friday May 13, 2017
When Steel Talks

DeKalb, Illinois, USA - Clifford Alexis receives honorary doctorate from Northern Illinois University (NIU) on May 13, 2017 for his accomplishments in the field of steelpan music art form at NIU.
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Web Posted - Thursday May 12, 2017
When Steel Talks

New York, USA - Recently while a significant portion of the global steelpan community was fully engaged with the happenings and grand performances of Trinidad and Tobago’s national Panorama competition—the greatest percussion event on earth and Super-Bowl of Pan—New Yorkers were treated to the artistic brilliance of two of the finest young composers/arrangers gracing the steelpan music art form today. When Steel Talks (WST) witnessed Andy Akiho and Andre White showcase and perform some of their musical genius live in collaboration with The Knights at BRIC’s Media House in downtown Brooklyn, New York.
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Web Posted - Wednesday May 11, 2017
Brent & Kilburn Times

 Steel band in Harlesden fight for survival as trustees dissolve charity

Harlesden, London, U.K. - Members of the St Michael’s Youth Project (SMYP), home to St Michael & All Angels Steel Orchestra, heard the charity was dissolving in a Sunday sermon address to parishioners on April 30.

Rev Ron Herbert, vicar of St Michael & All Angel in Hillside, Stonebridge, stepped down from the trust in January but continues to act as its treasurer.

He said: “I’m afraid I jumped the gun. I announced it before it happened and before I should have announced it, so I caused a problem unnecessarily. It has now been dissolved. I’m not going to say more at this point.”

The orchestra, which won best band at the Notting Hill carnival last year, was evicted from the church last October, where it has been based for 20 years.
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Web Posted - Thursday May 4, 2017
When Steel Talks

Meet Mika Yoshida 
Japan

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Japan - “Pan has turned a new page in my life. Coming to Trinidad made a pretty big impact on my way of thinking and lifestyle...”

In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Mika Yoshida shares her personal journey and perspective on the global reach and influence of the Steel Pan instrument, its music, and the art form on bridging cultures and enhancing the human experience.
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Web Posted - Wednesday May 3, 2017
The Virgin Islands Consortium

 St. Croix Students’ Musical Talent On Display At Annual Steel Pan Expo

St. Croix, U.S.V.I. - Steel bands from public and parochial schools on St. Croix showcased their musical talents at the Department of Education Division of Virgin Islands Cultural Education’s annual Steel Pan Exposition held April 22 at the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack.

Director of Cultural Education and event coordinator Valrica Bryson welcomed parents, students and supporters to the event and thanked the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation for allowing the event to be housed on the racetrack. The Steel Pan Expo has been traditionally held at the St. Croix Educational Complex.

St. Croix District Deputy Superintendent Faith Dane George-Boone served as mistress of ceremony and warmed the students up with a drumroll while introducing each school. The St. Mary’s Catholic School steel band, directed by Jessy Joseph, kicked opened the high-energy show, followed by the Lew Muckle Steel Orchestra, led by Noel Wynter.
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Web Posted
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The 2017 Trinidad and Tobago Panorama season—and by extension the Carnival season—was a tumultuous one that was overflowing with enough drama, intrigue, passion and controversy to field a season of Scandal, Empire or Game of Thrones. But in the end there was the music. An abundance of great music created by the finest arrangers, and outstanding performances delivered by the best steel orchestras in the world.

Two songs captured the imagination of Trinidad and Tobago for this 2017 Panorama and Carnival season - “Full Extreme” by Ultimate Rejects and “Good Morning” by Peter Ram. In fact, “Good Morning” became sort of the de-facto “test piece” as no other tune of choice has endeared itself to the steel orchestras as much in recent times. However, on closer inspection Bunji Garlin & Machel Montano’s “Buss Head” or Crazy’s “Gee Gee Ree” would be apropos to telling the complete Panorama season’s story.
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Web Posted
When Steel Talks

Global - Within the historical context, a look at the impact of American movies on the naming of early steelbands of Trinidad and Tobago.
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Web Posted
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - At a glance and on a single page, access the comprehensive summary of results for the Small, Medium and Large conventional steel orchestras participating in their respective categories in the 2017 Panorama.

Follow the musical journey of respective bands through all three phases - preliminaries, semi-finals and finals through data on band info, scores, tunes of choice and arrangers.
access full summary here

 Tunes of Choice - Trinidad & Tobago Steelband Panorama 2017

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - A unique playlist featuring only the music selected as Tunes of Choice for the Trinidad and Tobago 2017 Steelband Panorama and Carnival.
listen to playlist

Web Posted
When Steel Talks

Upcoming

Global  - Upcoming Steelpan music events from all over the world
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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