Web Posted - Wednesday
September 30, 2020
When Steel Talks
Saving the Sight of Music Ace Vanessa Headley
Keratoconus (Cone-Shaped Cornea) Procedures
Global - The lifelong
music passion of Vanessa Headley has been the centered on (but
not limited to), the sounds of steel via the national instrument
of her native Trinidad & Tobago, the steelpan. But for now, her
focus has had to shift from steel to saving her eyesight.
Vanessa is one of the Caribbean’s young musical gems, and she
has been pursuing her path of professional and personal success.
At the same time, the current challenge of maintaining a healthy
quality of life so she may continue to be a source of joy and
inspiration via musical endeavors, means immediately addressing
her visual status.
Get the full synopsis by Vanessa herself, and check the LINK to
help fulfill the financial goal to facilitate the necessary
medical procedures. “Time is of the essence.”
more details
Web Posted - Tuesday
September 29, 2020
When Steel Talks
PATRICE ROBERTS / NADIA BATSON / NAILAH BLACKMAN - In
Concert
on Amazon Music Twitch
Global - Amazon Music Twitch - Nailah Blackman, Nadia Batson and Patrice Roberts
in concert via Amazon Music TWITCH. The music of these
three Soca artists have been performed by multiple steel
orchestras around the world, especially at annual national
Panorama competitions, and has also been among the championship
selections of the bands.
see concert
Web Posted - Tuesday
September 29, 2020
When Steel Talks
Carnival 2021 Postponement - National Carnival Commission of
Trinidad and Tobago Speaks
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The
National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago (NCC) is in
complete accord with the recent announcement by the Prime
Minister, Dr. The Honourable Keith Rowley and the Government of
the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago with respect to the
adjournment of Carnival 2021, in the face of the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic.
As the Prime Minister rightfully indicated, the preservation of
lives and livelihoods is of paramount importance, and, given the
expected trajectory of the pandemic, it is highly unlikely at
this time to consider as a given, the staging of the annual
festival.
read more
Web Posted - Tuesday
September 29, 2020
When Steel Talks
Panist and internationally renowned artist Leon Foster Thomas joins University of Miami’s Faculty - one of several
Florida, USA - Known for its
world-renowned, award-winning faculty, the Frost School of Music
at the University of Miami is pleased to announce eleven new
esteemed faculty hires for 2020-2021.
LEON FOSTER THOMAS – STUDIO MUSIC & JAZZ - Leon Foster Thomas is
a gifted international jazz musician and steel pan virtuoso who
blends the music of his Caribbean roots with the harmonic and
improvisational complexities of jazz, creating a lively and
eclectic meld all his own.
....“I am thrilled to welcome these immensely gifted and
nurturing new colleagues to the Frost School,” stated Shelton G.
Berg, Dean of the Frost School of Music.
read more
Web Posted - Tuesday
September 29, 2020
When Steel Talks
The Virtual Carnival 2021 Is On
by Rubadiri Victor
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
- MOST STAKEHOLDERS ALREADY KNEW THAT THERE WOULD BE NO
PHYSICAL CARNIVAL 2021.
- SO WE ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE HONOURABLE PM. THE NATION'S
HEALTH COMES FIRST
- BUT
- WHAT STAKEHOLDERS HAVE BEEN CONCENTRATING ON REALLY IS THE
CREATION OF A VIRTUAL CARNIVAL FOR 2021. THAT IS 48 HOURS OF
STREAMING CONTENT FOR AN INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL AUDIENCE
- We might lose 55,000 PHYSICAL visitors but we may gain 55
million pairs of eyes!
- Normally Carnival brings in 55,000 visitors and around $650
million in Foreign Exchange (2006 Tourism Study). Government
also spends over $150 million in the festival with private
bodies spending possibly upwards of $600 million. This means the
T&T economy could conservatively lose up to $1.4 billion of
economic activity with no Carnival. There are many people for
whom Carnival represents up to 75% of their annual income. Even
large T&T corporations.
read more
Web Posted - Monday
September 28, 2020
When Steel Talks
Kes The Band LIVE - BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Performance
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - In
collaboration with BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn, Kes the Band
delivered a high-energy set from Trinidad & Tobago! In
2020 BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn’s festival was transformed into a
virtual multi-platform destination designed to bring the spirit
of the outdoor concert series to homes globally.
see
performance
Web Posted - Saturday
September 26, 2020
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian
‘The Amazing Race’ spent $2M, employed 300 locals while
filming in T&T
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
It all started with an adrenaline-pumping zip line over the
turquoise waters of Macqueripe Bay back in 2018. Now two years
later, the world is getting another chance to see T&T's cultural
and environmental splendour on CBS's reality game show,
The Amazing Race.
Season 32 of the long-running show will premiere on October 14.
Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon announced that
episode 1 which was shot in T&T, will feature the cultural
aspects such as steel pan, carnival costumes and goat racing in
locations that include Exodus Pan Yard, Nylon Pool, Pigeon Point
Heritage Park, Castara and the Buccoo Goat Racing Facility.
In a virtual media conference on Tuesday, Gopee-Scoon said the
production crew shot the scenes in November 2018, employing
approximately 310 locals and spent $1,915,000 filming on
location.
read more
Web Posted - Saturday
September 26, 2020
When Steel Talks
Exodus Steel Orchestra - “Sexual Healing” - Pelham Goddard
Pan in the 21st Century – The Art of Pan - 2006
Global - Pan in the
21st Century 2006 - Exodus Steel Orchestra: arranger -
Pelham Goddard.
Pan in the 21st Century requires orchestras to perform tunes
from the contemporary world beat repertoire and the arrangements
should be innovative, creative and in a different manner than is
normally done in the typical Panorama music format.
see video
Web Posted - Friday
September 25, 2020
When Steel Talks
The Ganges and The Nile Steelpan Cover - by Johann Chuckaree
& Joshua Regrello
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Ganges and
The Nile written, originally performed and produced - by David
Rudder. A film by Antonio Achee; Johann Chuckaree
recorded at Studio 8;
Joshua Regrello recorded in his bedroom. Mixed by Geiron Mang - Mang
Productions.
see video
Web Posted - Wednesday
September 23, 2020
When Steel Talks
The Burial Of Bou-Cou-Meh
by Winston Andrews (a.k.a. “Boots”)
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
Somebody shout “They Kill Bou-Cou-Meh, Oh God He Dead! He Dead!”
The warfare between two rival gangs Tokyo from Marabunta
territory and Desperadoes was not anticipated to culminate in
murder, but it did, after months of rioting for turf and
prestige with the occasional buss-head and cutlass slashes, in
this instance, in this clash, a dagger made from the fabled
Stingray poisonous bone, found a home in the heart of
Bou-Cou-Meh. He lay there on the pavement bleeding out as
gangsters on both sides scampered from the scene, the sight of
impending death frightened even the “Dreadest” among them, but
not Kid Coolie, he stood his ground as the nemesis retreated, he
waited and witnessed his friend’s demise.
read more
Web Posted - Tuesday
September 22, 2020
When Steel Talks
Invaders Steel Orchestra - “For The Love Of You” - Arddin
Herbert
Pan in the 21st Century – The Art of Pan - 2006
Global - Pan in the
21st Century 2006 - Invaders Steel Orchestra, with arranger
Arddin Herbert.
Pan in the 21st Century requires orchestras to perform tunes
from the contemporary world beat repertoire and the arrangements
should be innovative, creative and in a different manner than is
normally done in the typical Panorama music format.
see video
Web Posted - Tuesday
September 22, 2020
When Steel Talks
Meet Rudolph Commissiong - a pioneer of steelband music -
Arranger & Captain of Esso Dixie Stars -
UpClose!
Rudolph Commissiong, a pioneer of steelband music
recalls his life and times as a pan man, played out against a backdrop of
revolution and segregation
by Rudolph Commissiong
Global - One day during
rehearsals I took a break and walked through the terrace, which
was part of the building at the back and side of the nightclub
to a bar, which I thought was part of the hotel, and called
Casey’s Bar. There were about half a dozen white men drinking
and talking. I ordered a beer. The bartender stood there rather
frozen, then one of the men who I assumed knew who I was told
the bartender something about the band. The bartender then said:
“OK, but you will have to take it with you. You can’t drink it
here....” That was very degrading and something that lived with
me for a long time. ------- Rudolph Commissiong
read more
Web Posted - Monday
September 21, 2020
BusinessCloud
Digital Notting Hill Carnival reaches more than 7m people
London, U.K. - The first ever virtual edition of
Notting Hill Carnival reached more than double the predicted annual visitorship to the Carnival over the August Bank Holiday Weekend.
The campaign, which went live on YouTube, included 70 hours of footage produced and over 7 million people reached, confirmed said CEO of Second Screen Niall Green.
The stream included
steelpan bands filmed performing at The Royal Albert Hall, musicians recorded at Abbey Road Studios and
Mas bands at Haymarket Theatre.
format.
read more
Web Posted - Sunday
September 20, 2020
When Steel Talks
Desperadoes Steel Orchestra - “So Sick” - Keith Salcedo
Pan in the 21st Century – The Art of Pan - 2006
Global - Pan in the
21st Century 2006 - 1st place winner, Desperadoes Steel
Orchestra: arranger - Keith Salcedo.
Pan in the 21st Century requires orchestras to perform tunes
from the contemporary world beat repertoire and the arrangements
should be innovative, creative and in a different manner than is
normally done in the typical Panorama music format.
see video
Web Posted - Sunday
September 20, 2020
When Steel Talks
Passing of Dr. Anthony Achong
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The
UWI (University of the West Indies) Community mourns the passing
of Dr. Anthony Achong who passed away on June 29, 2020. Dr.
Achong was an academic who devoted much of his research to
steelpan technology.
He began his academic career in UWI Mona in 1970 where he
started as a Part-Time Tutor in 1970 and then worked his way up
to become a Lecturer in Physics in 1975 where he remained in
that post until 1977. He came to The UWI St. Augustine as a
Physics Lecturer in 1977 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in
2005. In 2002, he was appointed as Head of the Department of
Physics and served in that position until 2007.
read more
Web Posted - Saturday
September 19, 2020
When Steel Talks
Tropical Angel Harps Steel Orchestra - “Lovely Day” -
Clarence Morris
Pan in the 21st Century – The Art of Pan - 2006
Global - Pan in the 21st
Century 2006 - Tropical Angel Harps Steel Orchestra: arranger
- Clarence Morris.
Pan in the 21st Century requires orchestras to perform tunes
from the contemporary world beat repertoire and the arrangements
should be innovative, creative and in a different manner than is
normally done in the typical Panorama music format.
see video
Web Posted - Friday
September 18, 2020
When Steel Talks
Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra - “Black Orpheus” - Neville Jules and Terry Demas
Pan in the 21st Century – The Art of Pan - 2006
Global - Pan in the 21st
Century 2006 - 3rd place winner, Trinidad All Stars Steel
Orchestra: arrangers - Neville Jules and Terry Demas.
Pan in the 21st Century requires orchestras to perform tunes
from the contemporary world beat repertoire and the arrangements
should be innovative, creative and in a different manner than is
normally done in the typical Panorama music format.
see video
Web Posted - Friday
September 18, 2020
When Steel Talks
Silver Stars and the Pouchet dynasty
by Ian Lambie
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Enter
the Pouchets of Western Main Road at Cocorite. Mrs. Pouchet had
purchased a tenor pan for son Edgar “Junior” from Hugh Borde of
Tripoli Steelband, and later one for younger son Edwin as a
birthday gift. Together with some friends, other pans were
obtained and the band “Gold Coast” was formed. In 1953 “Gold
Coast” merged with “Silver Stars.”
....Young Edwin idolized his elder brother Junior and in 1973 Edwin joined Junior and the Adventureland
Steelband at Disney World.
read more
Web Posted - Thursday
September 17, 2020
When Steel Talks
Renegades Steel Orchestra - “All Night Long” - Dr. Jit Samaroo
Pan in the 21st Century – The Art of Pan - 2006
Global - Pan in the 21st
Century 2006 - 2nd place winner, Renegades Steel Orchestra:
arranger - Dr. Jit Samaroo.
Pan in the 21st Century requires orchestras to perform tunes
from the contemporary world beat repertoire and the arrangements
should be innovative, creative and in a different manner than is
normally done in the typical Panorama music format.
see video
Web Posted - Tuesday
September 15, 2020
When Steel Talks
Some Panmen of the 1950s
by Ian Lambie
Global - “I was there,” says
Ian Lambie, who is 87 years of age and since 1998 has lived in
Tobago. His band was Casablanca [Steel Orchestra] and he lived
close to the panyard and was friendly with many of the players,
particularly Ormond “Patsy” Haynes who became a member of TASPO.
“I am fully aware of the excellent contributions made by Ellie
Mannette and Andrew “Pan” de la Bastide to the advancement of
“pan” in the USA and by Anthony “Tony” Williams at home. I
decided to write about lesser known pioneers and to include some
“College Boys” who were beating pan in the 1950s.”
read more
Web Posted - Friday
September 11, 2020
Antigua News Room
Calypso Icon Sir Rupert “King Swallow” Philo Dies
Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - Calypso
and Cultural Icon Sir Rupert “King Swallow” Philo has died.
Sir Rupert has been ill for some time now but his cause of death
is not known.
Rupert Philo began competing in the calypso art form when still
a youth in 1961. His very first hit, entitled Raphael Trujillo,
recalled the story of a dictator of the Dominican Republic,
whose maltreatment of migrant workers from Antigua and Barbuda
was re-told upon their return home.
It was just last month in August that champion steelband arranger
Khan
Cordice, Antigua & Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne, along
with others,
paid a visit to Swallow at his home.
Steel orchestras have routinely performed the music of the late
legendary Mighty Swallow for Panorama competitions.
more
Web Posted - Thursday
September 10, 2020
When Steel Talks
Tango Negro, The African Roots of Tango
Global - Required and/or
recommended viewing. The similarities between the history of Pan
and Rap and the development of the Tango are astounding.
Tango Negro, The African Roots of Tango by Angolan filmmaker Dom
Pedro explores the expression of Tango’s Africanness and the
contribution of African cultures in the creation of the tango.
Tango was a reflection of the social life of the slaves that
were taken to South America -- including Argentina and Uruguay
-- mostly from central Africa, particularly from the former
Kongo Kingdom. Director Dom Pedro reveals the depth of the
footprints of the African music on the tango, through this rich
movie combining musical performances and interviews from many
tango fans and historians in Latin America and Europe, including
the renowned Argentinean pianist Juan Carlos Caceres.
details
Web Posted - Sunday
September 6, 2020
When Steel Talks
The Finest Moment in New York Pan History - 2001 New York
Panorama: “By Pan People - For Pan People”
Brooklyn, New York, USA - Undoubtedly
the finest moment in New York steel orchestra Panorama history.
The New York steelband community took their destiny into their
own hands and momentarily discarded the shackles of WIADCA (West
Indian American Day Carnival Association). Practicing a serious
case of “FUBU” - (For Us By Us) - as every aspect of this
Panorama was executed by the NY Pan community. The New York
Times gives the figure of 20,000 people present at this event.
In spite of untold obstacles the New York Pan community came
together in a manner that has never been seen since, and pulled
off demonstrating just what could be.
see video
Web Posted - Sunday
September 6, 2020
When Steel Talks
Silhouettes Steel Orchestra - “High Mas” - (‘TEMPO’ version
- Audio)
Len “Boogsie” Sharpe - Arranger
Brooklyn, New York, USA -
The year is 1998 and pan in New York is slamming. Here is the
often-sought after but not often heard or easily sourced “High
Mas” - as arranged by the legendary Len “Boogsie” Sharpe for
Silhouettes Steel Orchestra in 1998. This is a shortened analog
version as captured by Basement Recordings on a Sony Walkman in
the yard.
listen to audio
Web Posted - Saturday
September 5, 2020
When Steel Talks
Silhouettes Steel Orchestra - “High Mas” - (‘COOL DOWN’ version -
Audio)
Len “Boogsie” Sharpe - Arranger
Brooklyn, New York, USA -
This is the ‘Cool Down’ version of David Rudder’s critically
acclaimed “High Mas” as captured in 1998 on an analog Sony
Walkman by Basement Recordings. The audio quality is not great
but the genius of Mr. Sharpe shines through. The band performing
is Brooklyn’s Silhouettes Steel Orchestra. They were massive
that year.
listen to audio
Web Posted - Thursday
September 3, 2020
When Steel Talks
Labor Day minus Labor Day
An Opinion - by Garvin Blake
Brooklyn, New York, USA - For
most New Yorkers Labor Day signals the passing of Summer:
back-to-school, early sunsets, dropping temperatures. However,
for West Indians, the heat is on.
Frustrated masqueraders impatiently waiting to collect costumes.
Steelbands scrambling to learn endings. Out-of-towners arriving
in droves. Soca, kompa and reggae pumping everywhere. It’s fete
after fete. The Brooklyn Museum grounds are transformed into an
open-air theatre. Eastern Parkway becomes the scene of the
largest street party in North America.
read more
Web Posted - Wednesday
September 2, 2020
When Steel Talks
Looking back: Kathleen Reilly - The Original Steelband
“Karen” - Hostile Colonizer Terrorized Despers USA Steel
Orchestra in their Panyard
Brooklyn, New York, USA - Before
the current and unwelcome trend of white people calling the
“authorities” on Black people was somewhat normalized, Despers
USA Steel Orchestra in Brooklyn had their nightly run-ins in
2017 and 2018 with their own “Karen” in the person of Kathleen
Reilly. At the time, she was dubbed a “hostile colonizer.” The
steel orchestra had called, and still does, that area “home” for
almost forty years - very long before the arrival of Kathleen
Reilly, at the time just eight years prior.
But for more than two years, she would stalk Despers USA, for
hours standing right outside the panyard during rehearsals for
the annual Panorama competition, take pictures and video, and
routinely called the NYPD (New York Police Department), the FDNY
(Fire Department of New York), and any agency she could get to
come out and attempt to shut Despers USA Steel Orchestra down,
stop practice, etc.
read more, see video
Web Posted - Tuesday
September 1, 2020
When Steel Talks
A Tribute to Two Legends - Martin Douglas & Ray Holman
A Khuent Rose initiative
Global - “In the Spring
of 2020, Martin Douglas succumbed to COVID-related illness. In
honor of him, I’ve re-interpreted one of his favorite Bomb
Tunes: Penny Lane.
“Originally written by the Beatles, Ray Holman penned his
arrangement in the mid 1970s.
“In this effort, join me, Khuent Rose, in honoring our past Hero
(Dougie) and our living Legend (Ray).
“From now through Sept 8th, use the links below to learn,
practice and record your Audio or Video submission for
compilation.”
** Click below to find links of Scores of the arrangement,
practice, record, upload:
learn more
When Steel Talks
2020 Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband Panorama Info - Complete
Global
- PanOnTheNet/ WhenSteelTalks is Panorama
Central! Complete information on the 2020 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 - February
2020
When Steel Talks
Complete Summary of Results of all Conventional Steel Orchestras - 2020 Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama
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 that participated in their respective
categories in the 2020 Panorama.
Follow the musical journey of respective bands through all three
phases - compare side-by-side preliminaries, semi-finals and finals through data on
band info, scores, tunes of choice and arrangers - on one page.
access full summary