Web Posted - Monday April 23, 2018
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The steel band moment is here after all. And it might be hard to find the concept of the future in this arena of drums and notes. For now, the night needs answers. What will it take?

Will you give us your heart through the ear. What is the structure of the performance. What inspired it. Will the interpretation move us. Will it take us to another place. What does the band want to accomplish. Will it adjust tempo. Is that necessary. And for the adjudicators, why does a piece of music work and why it doesn’t. What are the technical shortcomings. What do you hear that we don’t.

We’ll find out tonight. And not a moment too soon.

When Trinidad All Stars members warmed up the knuckles before the countdown clanged like a metronome from pan’s frighteningly innermost insecurities about tempo, an icy sweat rolled slowly down the spine. This might be the band’s only shot.
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Web Posted - Monday April 23, 2018
The Daily Campus

Connecticut, U.S.A.  - On Saturday night, UConn musicians joined in von der Mehden Recital Hall to perform the smooth styles of Latin Steel Pan rhythms. The ensemble played five numbers which showcased all of the main traditions in steel pan music. The show also presented a description of the history of this style of music and an overview of the various types of steel drums.

As Director Bob Stephens explained, the four categories of drum are the “tenor,” which plays the main melody of the song, “bass,” which provides the backbone to the piece and has the lowest pitch, and “guitar and cello,” which fills in the rest of the piece, providing harmonized melodies to support the tenors.
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Web Posted - Sunday April 22, 2018
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The steelpan fraternity has been plunged into mourning after an avid bass player of the Invaders Steel Orchestra was killed while trying to run away from a robbery in progress yesterday.

According to a police report, at about 12:30 a.m., Jeffrey “Rafa” Dorant, 46, of Jeffers Lane, St James, walked into a card game lime when he saw armed gunmen robbing a group of men. The gunmen wore bandanas that partially covered their faces.

As Dorant turned around and started running away, a gunman shot him in his back at the scene on Fort George Road.

....Dorant was described as “the best bass man you would ever meet.”
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Web Posted - Wednesday April 18, 2018
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - A decision by a large group of Pan Trinbago members to remove the organisation’s central executive is now set to be the subject of a legal challenge.

During a special meeting at the CWU Hall in Port-of-Spain on Tuesday evening, 130 members reportedly voted to remove the executive and establish a caretaker committee to oversee the organisation until elections can be held later this year. Only one member reportedly dissented.

The central executive consists of president Keith Diaz, secretary Richard Forteau, treasurer Andrew Salvador, PRO Michael Joseph, external relations officer Darren Sheppard and trustees Allan Augustus and Trevor Reid.

....In a telephone interview yesterday evening, however, Forteau strongly objected to the action and said his attorneys were currently working on a lawsuit to challenge it.

“It is a power grab. I am not about that. We are here to protect the constitution of the organisation, not to prop up an individual,” Forteau, who did not attend the meeting, said.
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Web Posted - Wednesday April 18, 2018
When Steel Talks

Meet Nakita Wilfred
Barbados

Barbados, W.I. - “Whenever I play pan, I would drift to this place of total bliss where she [my mother] resides and I can never help but to smile uncontrollably and feel at peace. Onlookers always inquire about my ability to smile so consistently and effortlessly but when I express to them the sheer joy I experience whenever I play, they have a better understanding.”

The steelpan instrument, in this case, the Tenor, is like oxygen for her. Pan is Nakita Wilfred; Nakita Wilfred is Pan. And that pretty much tells the story right there. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Nakita “Empress Sadé” Wilfred explains why Pan is the joy of her life, and in addition shares her feelings, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.
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Web Posted - Monday April 16, 2018
When Steel Talks

Meet Patricia Jones
Maryland, USA

Maryland, USA - “Music embodies my life to the point that it takes precedence to eating, drinking and sleeping. I often hear melodies and musical arrangements in my head...”

She is a music educator, performer, recording musician, author, composer and arranger. Music is her life. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Patricia Jones shares her musical journey and experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.
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Web Posted - Saturday April 14, 2018
When Steel Talks

Meet Patricia Black
Trinidad & Tobago

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “I come alive as I transform into the woman on the bass while I lose my soul jamming to the sweetness, the harmonic and melodious arrangement by my legendary arranger Len “Boogsie” Sharpe....Panorama to me is one of the greatest shows on earth. It is a platform where musicians both pan men and pan women all over the world come together to express the passion we all have for pan, with a musical vengeance....”

Unabashedly proud of her pan involvement - she speaks of the immense joys and fulfillment she has felt over the years as a seasoned panist and member of the renowned Phase II Pan Groove.

Bright, loyal and confident - in an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, Patricia Black shares her feelings, experiences and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.
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Web Posted - Thursday April 12, 2018
When Steel Talks

Meet Justina Ploeger
Germany

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Dortmund, Germany - “I’m lucky to be born in a city, which can by now be called, “The steel pan stronghold of Germany.” The first steel pan association in Dortmund was founded in 1995 and a pan-round-the-neck band was part of it. They used to play at almost every city festival, which is why I got in contact with pan at an early age. By the end of the 90s they had started several groups for adults. My mum joined one of the bands and in 1999 my parents also signed me and my twin brother Jonas up. The group we played in was the first ever, possibly, for kids in Germany to play pan. We were taught by Werner M. Weidensdorfer, who invented a special, small pan for kids.”

She is young in age but no doubt a talented veteran panist with skills. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Justina Ploeger shares her feelings, experiences, and love for the Steelband music art form and more.
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Web Posted - Tuesday April 10, 2018
When Steel Talks

Meet Safiya Richards
Pennsylvania, USA

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Pennsylvania, USA - “It makes me proud, for one, that I’m taking part in the culture of my family. Something that I’ve never had an interest in before is now one of the few things that brings me happiness during some not-so-happy times. It makes me happy seeing the steel pan is being more accepted in different parts of the world besides Trinidad and Tobago and the fact that it has a habit of bringing people together.”

She is a Pan-baby who could not escape the allure and beauty of this magical instrument. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - scholar and panist Safiya Richards shares her feelings, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.
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Web Posted - Monday April 9, 2018
When Steel Talks

Meet Jovanka Williams
Guyana, S.A.

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Guyana, S.A. - “I love performing and entertaining people. Seeing the joy on their faces when we play is priceless. On the other hand, being able to educate the nation’s future and somehow play a part in the maintenance of the artform is also priceless....”

She is a respected member of the National Steel Orchestra of Guyana. In addition she has experienced many aspects of the steelband music industry as both an educator and touring musician. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Jovanka Williams shares her feelings, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.
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Web Posted - Saturday April 7, 2018
When Steel Talks

Meet Norzika Lewis
New York, USA

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

New York, U.S.A. - “Those ten minutes on stage to me are the best moments in my life every year that I perform. There is always this feeling like a rush of energy that I get when I perform. Because being a performer is part of me and what I love to do.”

She is with no doubt a ‘culture baby.’ The performing arts is her forté. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - the multi-talented Norzika Lewis shares her encounters, feelings, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.
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Web Posted - Friday April 6, 2018
When Steel Talks

Meet Adelle Joseph-Phillip
Trinidad & Tobago

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “Playing pan for me is a happy place, it connects with my soul. As Bob Marley said “When the music hits, you feel no pain.” That is pan to me. I truly love to hear and play sweet pan music on well-tuned pans. I can’t begin to understand persons who say they dislike hearing pan music.”

She is an electrical engineer by day and a serious lifelong panist throughout her existence.  In addition, she is a firm believer in the importance of supporting arts and culture. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Adelle Joseph-Phillip shares her spirit, feelings, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.
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Web Posted - Thursday April 5, 2018
When Steel Talks

Meet Nakiya Athina de Freitas
Antigua

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - “I would tell any young female panist to go for it. If it’s something you love and enjoy, don’t let anything deter you from that passion. You will face many ups and downs and you will feel like giving up, but just keep going.”

She is focused, driven and extremely talented. And represents the future of Pan. She is a music major who has firm ideas on the way forward in Pan. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Nakiya Athina de Freitas shares her feelings, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.
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Web Posted - Wednesday April 4, 2018
When Steel Talks

Meet Anesha Carbon
United Kingdom

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

London, U.K. - “Pan itself, I don’t think I would change anything. I think it would just be people outside of the community’s views. It’s not ‘tin pan,’ ’dustbin lids,‘ you shouldn’t knock the instrument with your knuckles as you are walking by. It’s to be as respected as a grand piano.”

She is a veteran core member of UK’s champion Ebony Steel Band with something to say. Moreover she is well beyond being just a Pan enthusiast and player. So Listen Up! as Anesha Carbon, in an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - shares her feelings, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.
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Web Posted - Tuesday April 3, 2018
When Steel Talks

Meet Jahnya Gilkes
New York, USA

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

New York, U.S.A. - “On who is her favorite arranger - “Marc Brooks because he has seen me grow from when I first started playing to now, and has challenged me and pushed me to be the best that I can be. Plus, his arrangements are always vibes and sound amazing in my opinion. From the intro to the minor - straight sweet music, which it makes it even more fun to play.”

She is a fashion designer, a model and panist. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist Jahnya Gilkes reflects on her feelings, experiences, and desires for the Steelband music art form and more.
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Web Posted - Monday April 2, 2018
When Steel Talks

Meet Tiana Parry
United Kingdom

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

England, U.K. - “I want to see steelbands selling out venues across the UK. I also want to see steel pan televised and seen equally to other instruments in the UK.”

She is a budding intellectual, legal scholar and panist who is very conscious of the value of the arts. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Tiana Parry shares her feelings, experiences, and insight on the power of Pan, the Steelband music art form and more.
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Web Posted - Monday April 2, 2018
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz has told members he is stepping down from his position amidst the current chaos within the organisation. Speaking on the organisation’s status and condition, at a meeting held at the Communication Workers’ Union hall in Port of Spain last week, Diaz painted a very bleak picture. Newsday was told Diaz apologised for all the issues members had to endure especially in the last six months, saying the central executive had kept him in the dark on a number of decisions.

Aquil Arrindell, one of the principals of Concerned Citizens for Pan (CIP), cited one example Diaz gave in the meeting. He said Diaz had objected to a member of the executive being given a $95,000 payment as events manager. The rest of the executive opposed his view and Diaz walked out, after which secretary Forteau took charge and a decision was made to pay the money. Another bone of contention is the high fees being paid to a financial adviser – a non-elected position, while prize money and panmen’s stipends are still outstanding for Carnival this year.

“There is a total collapse in the management of the organisation. The president is not in control and the rest of the executive is doing what they want.”

Diaz became president of Pan Trinbago in 2009 The organisation’s central executive comprises Diaz, secretary Richard Forteau, treasurer Andrew Salvador, PRO Michael Joseph, external relations officer Darren Sheppard and trustees Allan Augustus and Trevor Reid.
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Web Posted - Sunday April 1, 2018
When Steel Talks

Meet Sherlanda Willie
New York, USA

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

New York, U.S.A. - “I would say “Go for it and give it all you have!” If you’re passionate about something, you will give it your all and not let anything or anyone come in between you and your dreams. I am the player that I am today because I worked at it. I love practicing and understand that nothing happens overnight.”

Administrator, educator, or player - Sherlanda is Pan - Pan is Sherlanda. There isn't anything related to pan that you wouldn't want this young lady to lead if success is your goal. She embodies that rare combination of humility, grace, intellect, unlimited talent and beauty - and moreover she cares about people. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, Sherlanda Willie shares her feelings, experiences, and insight on the Steelband music art form and more.
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 2018 Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband Panorama Info - Complete

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - PanOnTheNet/ WhenSteelTalks is Panorama Central!  Complete information on the 2018 season of the Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama, and competitions:  Schedules, Orders of Appearance for preliminary, semi-final and final phases for large, medium and small conventional steel orchestras, and single pan bands; arrangers’ bios, bios of steel orchestras; full results, panyard addresses, history of previous Panoramas, and much more!
see complete information index

Web Posted -  September, 2017
When Steel Talks

New York, USA - Well if you haven’t heard already, New York’s 2017 Panorama Steel Orchestra competition was an epic failure for most. Unless you were the show’s promoters - who got away as bandits in the night - except it was a broad daylight-mugging with everyone watching. Calling the promoters “bandits” is really a description ‘upgrade’ as they have been known as the original Evil Empire to the Brooklyn Steelband community for decades.

So in this regard, let’s cut the crap! And the fake news from those who are spreading alternative facts, about how great New York 2017 Panorama was. In reality it was jacked up.
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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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