Web Posted - Saturday January 30, 2021
When Steel Talks

Remembering the late great Cicely Tyson - (December 19, 1924 – January 28, 2021)

Cicely Tyson at the AFRICAN BURIAL GROUND

Global -
“I too, sing America
I am the darker brother
They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes
But I laugh and eat well and grow strong

“Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table when company comes
Nobody’ll dare say to me, “Eat in the kitchen”

“Then, besides
They’ll see how beautiful we are and be ashamed
I, too, am America ”

Writer: Langston Hughes

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Web Posted - Saturday January 30, 2021
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Phase II promises ‘epic’ virtual concert

Trumpeter Etienne Charles, left, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, and Barbadian saxophonist Romaro Greaves will perform in Another Phase virtual concert being staged by HADCO Phase II Pan Groove on Sunday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - HADCO Phase II Pan Groove captain Terry Bernard is promising patrons that Sunday’s virtual concert, Another Phase, will be “epic.”

He said the approximately two-hour, pre-recorded show was originally scheduled to be broadcast on January 27 but was moved to January 31 to accommodate supporters who were not aware of the cut-off time and had waited until the “last minute.””

....“We could either throw our hands in the air or dig deep into our reserves and come up with novel ideas. And our supporters were looking for the music as well as our sponsors who had sponsored us for Carnival. So we came up with the novel idea to take the show to the people and to their homes.”
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Web Posted - Thursday January 28, 2021
When Steel Talks

RIP - Veteran Calypsonian Singing Sandra (Sandra Des Vignes-Millington) has Passed

Global - When Steel Talks extends our sincere condolences to the family and friends of veteran calypsonian Singing Sandra (Sandra Des Vignes-Millington).

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Web Posted - Wednesday January 26, 2021
When Steel Talks Reboot - Feel the Music - Live the Experience

D’Radoes Steel Orchestra - “Spankin’” | Terrance “BJ” Marcelle | Brooklyn, NY Panorama 2014

Brooklyn, New York, USA - It’s the annual New York Panorama. D’Radoes Steel Orchestra is playing “Spankin’” written by “Super Blue” - (born Austin Lyons) and arranged by Terrance “BJ” Marcelle for Panorama 2014. This is will be the first New York Panorama win for D’Radoes and “BJ” Marcelle at this moment.
Listen and watch

Web Posted - Sunday January 24, 2021
When Steel Talks Reboot - Feel the Music - Live the Experience

Desperadoes Steel Orchestra - “Musical Volcano” | Robert Greenidge | Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 1991

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - It’s Panorama Finals. Desperadoes Steel Orchestra is playing “Volcano” written and arranged by Robert Greenidge for Panorama 1991.
Listen and watch

Web Posted - Saturday January 23, 2021
When Steel Talks

Len “Boogsie” Sharpe & Joshua Regrello team up on ‘Backyard Jam’ steelpan cover

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Popular panist Joshua Regrello teamed up with living music legend Len “Boogsie” Sharpe to deliver a rousing steelpan cover of Farmer Nappy’s 2021 soca hit ‘Backyard Jam.’
See video

Web Posted - Friday January 22, 2021
Door County Pulse

Online Percussion Studio Sessions Coming

Wisconsin, USA - Nationally and internationally renowned Birch Creek Percussion and Steel Band faculty will share their expertise during one-hour, online Studio Sessions: great opportunities for musicians to expand their musical tool kit.

....Yuko Asada, Birch Creek assistant steel band director, will present “Tuna Can Pans: The Making of Steel Pans” on Feb. 6, 11 a.m. She’ll show how steel pans are made and tuned.

Brian Nozny, Birch Creek percussion and steel band composer-in-residence, will offer “More Than Dots on a Page: Beginning Composition” on Feb. 13, 11 am. He’ll help participants understand the basics of creating a musical piece, from developing the musical material to putting down the final double-bar line.
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Web Posted - Friday January 22, 2021
When Steel Talks

When You Waiting For Carnival To Come Back

Bernie Sanders feeling the “Bern”

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - US Senator Bernie Sanders is feeling the cold and down spirits that Carnival attendees are feeling as COVID-19 restrictions cancel Carnivals all over the world.
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Web Posted - Thursday January 21, 2021
When Steel Talks

A Look at ‘Voices of Pan Pioneers of Trinidad and Tobago’

Insight by Wesley Gibbings

Global - US-based Trinidadian broadcaster extraordinaire, Von Martin, has written a book - ‘Voices of Pan Pioneers of Trinidad and Tobago’ - about key people who contributed to the development of the steelpan. And, no two ways about it, this should be compulsory reading for anyone with a serious interest in the instrument and a solid sampling of some of the more important men and women associated with it over the years.
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Web Posted - Thursday January 21, 2021
Worthing Herald

Worthing Steel Band enjoys success on the world stage

Amid all the gloom, Worthing Steel Band is celebrating success

Worthing, England - ....“Worthing Steel Band spent the window of opportunity between the two lockdowns at the end of the summer and early autumn practising and recording their pieces and entered four categories with pieces ranging from classical music to rock and roll.”

In addition, three members of the band, musical director Jim, Marie Vickers and Christine Brown also took part in the world largest online mass participation piece with hundreds of fellow musicians, lived streamed at the end of the festival.

....“No one was more shocked or amazed than we were when the band received the award for Top Steelband at the Festival for 2020. It was a fantastic way to end what has been a supremely challenging year and bring hope that we will be together again performing to audiences live in Worthing in 2021.
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Web Posted - Wednesday January 20, 2021
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Pan Trinbago honours ‘Boogsie’

Len “Boogsie” Sharpe checks out Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell’s pan skills

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago honoured Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, leader of HADCO Phase II Pan Groove, who was conferred with an honorary doctorate by the University of the West Indies during a virtual ceremony on January 12.

The popular panist and arranger was moved to tears at the celebration which was held at the VIP Lounge of the National Carnival Commission (NCC), Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, on January 15.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Sen Randall Mitchell commended “Boogsie” for his contribution to the steelband.
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Web Posted - Wednesday January 20, 2021
When Steel Talks Reboot - Feel the Music - Live the Experience

Harmonites Steel Orchestra - “The Wrecker” | Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 1968

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - It’s Panorama Finals. Harmonites Steel Orchestra is playing “The Wrecker” written by “Lord Kitchener” - (born Aldwyn Roberts) and arranged by Earl Rodney for Panorama 1968.
Listen and watch

Web Posted - Tuesday January 19, 2021
When Steel Talks Reboot - Feel the Music - Live the Experience

Exodus Steel Orchestra - “War 2004” | Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 2004

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - It’s Panorama Finals. Exodus Steel Orchestra is playing “War 2004” written by “The Original De Fosto Himself” and arranged by Pelham Goddard for Panorama 2004.
Listen and watch

Web Posted - Monday January 18, 2021
When Steel Talks

Celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - 2021 -- St Luke’s Steelband

Global - Over the last 10 years Music Haven and St. Luke’s Steelband, have come together on this special day to recognize and highlight the important work done by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the short time he spent with us.
See performance

Web Posted - Sunday January 17, 2021
When Steel Talks Reboot - Feel the Music - Live the Experience

Phase II Pan Groove - “This Feeling Nice” | Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 1987

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - It’s Panorama Finals. Phase II Pan Groove is playing “This Feeling Nice” written and arranged by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe for Panorama 1987.
Listen and watch

Web Posted - Saturday January 16, 2021
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Pan families get 100 hampers

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the economy, businesses, education and cultural festivities including Carnival and Panorama. It has also brought people together and demonstrated the importance of strength in unity and the resilience of humanity.

In its continuing response to provide assistance to band members, the Northern Region of Pan Trinbago teamed up with the TT Defence Force for the most successful food drive and food distribution in the region’s history, the region said in a media release. The Defence Force responded to a request for assistance by Northern Region chairman Desiree Myers.
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Web Posted - Saturday January 16, 2021
When Steel Talks

Franklyn “Frankie” McIntosh receives 2020 UWI Honorary Doctorate

Global - From Calypso to gospel and reggae, Franklyn McIntosh has worked his magic on music from every English-speaking Caribbean island. His work has been honoured with an induction into the Sunshine Awards Hall of Fame in New York (2015) and recognition by the Borough of Brooklyn, the City of New York and the United States Congress – House of Representatives. Dr. McIntosh has appeared on a stamp in his native St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and is a diplomat for his country.
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Web Posted - Friday January 15, 2021
When Steel Talks Reboot - Feel the Music - Live the Experience

Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra - “Woman On The Bass” | Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 1980

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - It’s Panorama Finals. Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra is playing Scrunter’s “Woman On The Bass,” arranged by Leon “Smooth” Edwards for Panorama 1980.
Listen and watch

Web Posted - Thursday January 14, 2021
When Steel Talks

Anthony “Benup” Kinsale - A Real Steelband Man

Global - Read on for a brief history, (Anthony “Benup” Kinsale) in his own words, of how he was instrumental in bringing an end to the steelband riots, how the former Vice-Captain of Desperadoes was a close ally of Charles and a community inspiration whose resilience created the Serenaders on the edge of the basketball court in St Barbs keeping Steelband alive on the hills...  -- Sharmain Baboolal
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Web Posted - Tuesday January 12, 2021
When Steel Talks

Remembering Activist Panman Michael Leroy Joseph aka “Scobie”

by Gerry Kangalee

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Michael Joseph, or “Scobie” as he is popularly called was the leader of the Southern Marines Steelband Foundation, one of the oldest bands in Trinidad. He was a former Central Executive member and Chairman of the South Central Region of Pan Trinbago.
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Web Posted - Tuesday January 12, 2021
When Steel Talks Reboot - Feel the Music - Live the Experience

Nutones Steel Orchestra - “High Mass” | Clive Bradley | Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 1998

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - It’s Panorama Finals. Nutones Steel Orchestra is playing David Rudder’s “High Mas,” arranged by Clive Bradley for Panorama 1998.
Listen and watch

Web Posted - Tuesday January 12, 2021
When Steel Talks

Len “Boogsie” Sharpe receives 2020 UWI Honorary Doctorate

Global - Len Sharpe, better known as Len “Boogsie” Sharpe is a very successful & popular player, arranger and composer of steelpan music from Trinidad and Tobago. As a soloist extraordinaire or as part of a group, he has amazed audiences in North America, Europe & Asia.
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Web Posted - Monday January 11, 2021
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Pan Trinbago’s opportunity

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore announced on the weekend that the organisation will host at least four virtual events over the next few weeks.

The organisation has sensibly chosen to partner with WACK Radio, which stepped up early after covid19 lockdowns to offer online performances by calypsonians for a fee.

The station also has prior experience with streaming live performances and producing live recordings of steelbands, and that background will serve Pan Trinbago’s project in good stead.
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Web Posted - Monday January 11, 2021
InYourArea.co.uk

Stockport steel pan orchestra Pantonic All Stars launches fundraising appeal

Devastating floods & bad luck

Stockport, England, UK - A steel pan orchestra has launched a fundraising appeal in an attempt to recoup funds lost due to the pandemic.

Pantonic All Stars Steel Orchestra based in Stockport, Greater Manchester launched the online fundraiser after cancelled events in 2020 meant the group lost out on their main source of income.

The youth group, usually made up of around 25 players aged between 11 and 25, earns the majority of its funds through donations and bookings from live events.
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Web Posted - Sunday January 10, 2021
When Steel Talks Reboot - Feel the Music - Live the Experience

ADLIB Steel Orchestra - “What’s Going On” | André White | Brooklyn, New York, USA

Brooklyn, New York, USA - ADLIB Steel Orchestra performs the classic “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye.

See performance

Web Posted - Sunday January 10, 2021
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Carnival tabanca as COVID-19 closes festival

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.  - ....There will be no Carnival 2021. No physical events such as fetes, stick-fighting, ole mas, Dimanche Gras, J’Ouvert, parade of the bands, and Panorama.

The annual event has been cancelled this year as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

....Sunday Newsday caught up with members of the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra at their base on Tragarete Road in Port of Spain on Tuesday. A group of men sat under a tree in the panyard as they listened to the band on the radio and exchanged memories of Carnivals past.

Former trustee Glenford “House” Wallace said it was a sad moment for all its members, but they understood the need for the cancellation.

He said, “Playing pan at this time of the year was always something we looked forward to. People feel like a piece of their heart has been taken away.

“Some of us just come to the panyard, like today, and reminisce about what was and what this year could have been like. They bring a pan and knock a little thing.”

Desperadoes, last year’s Panorama winner, has 12 titles in the large band category.
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Web Posted - Friday January 8, 2021
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Pan Trinbago to host four virtual Carnival events

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore has said at least four virtual events will take place over the period that should have been Carnival. She said these will be announced after a meeting between the central and regional executives of the organisation on January 16.

Ramsey-Moore said the events committee will present its recommendations to the central executive next Tuesday.

“All the categories, including the single pan, the small conventional, medium conventional and the large conventional, will have an opportunity to do something virtually for the period.
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Web Posted - Wednesday January 6, 2021
When Steel Talks

Pandemic Pains and Pan

by Wesley Gibbings

Global - ....The year 2020 came to test pan, both as a musical instrument and as an agent of social cohesion and change, in ways not previously experienced or envisaged. Even in its manifestation as the best thing we do, tougher challenges would have been extremely hard to find.

A determined pandemic barely missed Panorama 2020, but its careful management has ensured that in 2021, the practice of pan will comprise invention and ingenuity – qualities that have given the instrument its true value both as creative platform and as largely unrealised economic prospect.
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Web Posted - Tuesday January 5, 2021
When Steel Talks

Remembering Albert “Doggie” Cox - Grenada steelpan icon

Grenada - Albert “Doggie” Cox was a Panman from Grenada who migrated to the USA and continue to play his double second pan in the USA. He was a member of Angel Harps Steel Orchestra and played double second on the steel orchestra’s first album “Brighter out of Darkness,” which was recorded in Barbados in the early 1970s.
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Web Posted - Tuesday January 5, 2021
When Steel Talks Reboot

Giant of the Titans - Revisited

Global - There was a cosmic shift in the world steelband music force and every person who has ever been remotely involved in steelband music felt it - such was the greatness and importance of Dr. Jit Samaroo.
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Web Posted - Monday January 4, 2021
When Steel Talks

Nuptials for Skiffle Steel Orchestra Captain Joshua Regrello - PRANK!

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.  - On January 3, 2021, Joshua Regrello, captain of Skiffle Steel Orchestra which is located in San Fernando, south Trinidad, posted: “Starting off 2021 right! #MrandMrsRegrello” - announcing his marriage on social media, with images. Skiffle is one of the nation’s premiere performing steel orchestra music franchises.
See pics, video

Web Posted - Sunday January 3, 2021
When Steel Talks Reboot

Jit - The One And Only

by Dalton Narine

Global - Just a single name encapsulates this slight man, what he became and the huge legacy he left pan and country.

Imagine a shy East Indian panman/arranger from Surrey, Lopinot, not your ordinary panist at all, being called upon by Renegades, a steelband from round the bridge, to arrange its music. Particularly Panorama fare.

This is a man who went on to win nine Panorama titles in 16 years. To understand the relevance of that milestone, Desperadoes celebrated 10 Panorama wins among three arrangers. If anybody in the world of Panoramania understood the depth of one’s respect for his peers, it is the triumvirate crew of Beverly Griffith, Robert Greenidge and Clive Bradley.
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Web Posted - Sunday January 3, 2021
When Steel Talks Reboot

The Samaroo Jets ‘Live’ at the Trinidad Hilton Hotel

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The year is 1978, and the Samaroo Jets led by Jit Samaroo, (one of the legends in the steelpan art form) are performing poolside at the Trinidad Hilton. The versatility of the group is on full display in these recordings as they perform the classical, pop and calypso pieces of the day.”
Listen

Web Posted - Friday January 1, 2021
When Steel Talks

Happy New Year 2021 & Cheers To Life

Global - When Steel Talks extends New Year’s greetings to all.
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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