Web Posted - Thursday September 30, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

Looking back:  Remembering the late Champion Arranger Ken “Professor” Philmore

Global - ....In 1974 at age of fifteen, Ken Philmore joined Hatters Steel Orchestra in south Trinidad with the intention of developing his skills as a player. On one of his early visits, a member jokingly remarked “Who is this young kid with these old fashioned glasses?” Referring to his bone-rimmed spectacles, “He looks more like a “professor” than a pan player.”

....Apart from Trinidad, he has arranged music for steel bands in the United Kingdom and in New York – in fact Ken’s first opportunity as an arranger came in 1981 when he arranged for BWIA Sonatas in New York. He consequently captured six New York Panorama titles with Sonatas Steel Orchestra.

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Web Posted - Thursday September 30, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

Looking back:  Global Steelpan Community Remembers Arranger Ken “Professor” Philmore

Ken “Professor” Philmore

Global - Dr. Dawn Batson (Educator, Panist, Composer, Arranger) on the late Ken “Professor” Philmore:  “The prodigious talent that Trinidad and Tobago produces in all spheres is to me, a constant source of amazement. Ken “Professor” Philmore was certainly one of the stars. He was one of those persons who one would approach in awe but leave having found a friend and a kindred spirit. His music, like his personality, was always filled with warmth and joy, whether one was listening to his arrangements, to his compositions, or to his solo performances.”
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Web Posted - Thursday September 30, 2021
NBCMiami.com

Melo Groove Steel Orchestra Prepares for Carnival in South Florida

With dents hammered into shiny metal surfaces, these instruments create a different and unique sound that’s synonymous with Caribbean music

South Florida, USA - With Miami and Broward Carnival season just a few days away, NBC 6 News is exploring the history of the steel drums also known as the steel pans.

With dents hammered into shiny metal surfaces, these instruments create a different and unique sound that’s synonymous with Caribbean music.

There’s a local group looking to keep the traditional music alive in South Florida. Members of the Melo Groove Steel Orchestra practice two to three times a week, rehearsing each song for the perfect performance.

For 16-year-old Zaila Williams, it was love at first sight.
See more, watch video

Web Posted - Thursday September 30, 2021
When Steel Talks - Feel the Music - Live the Experience

UK National Steelband Panorama 2021 - Full Performances

Four Steel Orchestras as live streamed

London, England, UK - Enjoy the full performances of the four steel orchestras - Ebony Steelband, Croydon Steel Orchestra, Metronomes Steel Orchestra and eventual champions Mangrove Steelband  - as they competed for the 2021 UK National Steelband championship in August. 
See performances

Web Posted - Wednesday September 29, 2021
When Steel Talks

HADCO Phase II welcomes Government’s announcement for the re-opening of the Entertainment Sector

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - ....According to Sharpe, although its membership has not resumed full stage side rehearsals since May 2021, the time has been used productively, resulting in strategic focus being placed on infrastructural works and maintenance of the band’s compound. Such efforts are in sync with the public’s expectations for quality from HADCO Group of Companies and provided meaningful short-term employment for those involved. Improvements included the installation of additional sinks for the washing of hands, the widening of the general practice area for social distancing, as well as, welding repair works. Additionally, a mandatory face mask policy continues to be in effect for all musicians, service providers and visitors, while hand sanitizers have been placed at various points for use.
see more

Web Posted - Monday September 27, 2021
When Steel Talks - Feel the Music - Live the Experience

Sonatas - Pan in New York 2010  - “Battle Zone”  - (‘Cool Down’ version - Video)

Panyard Recording

New York, USA - This is the video special of Sonatas Steel Orchestra playing “Battle Zone” as captured by Basement Recordings two days before they won the 2010 Panorama. The arranger is Yohan Popwell.
see video

Web Posted - Sunday September 26, 2021
Loop News

Trini producer looks at where pan gone in new documentary

The late Ellie Mannette demonstrating how to tune a tenor pan. He is among those featured in the documentary SteelPan Now! Notes on Where Pan Gone.

Global - In his documentary SteelPan Now! Notes on Where Pan Gone, Ryan Saunders and his co-producer Aaron Astillero trace the spread of the steelpan beyond the shores of Trinidad and Tobago.

The documentary, which premiered at the Trinidad + Tobago Film Festival, looks at the growth of the steelpan but from a foreign perspective.

The documentary follows several steelpan pioneers, inventors, players, composers, arrangers, and pan makers of various backgrounds across several cities in the United States who’ve spent decades involved in the steelpan movement.

Among the people featured in the documentary is the late Ellie Mannette, Arranger and lecturer Liam Teague, Renegades arranger Duvone Stewart, Jonathan Scales, composer, musician, founder of the band Fourscales Fourchestra and Kyle Dunleavy, an American pan builder from Philadelphia.
see more

Web Posted - Saturday September 25, 2021
When Steel Talks - Feel the Music - Live the Experience

Sonatas Steel Orchestra - “The Ten Commandments of Pan” - (‘Tempo’ version - Video)

Panyard Recording

Brooklyn, New York, USA -  Three days before 100 Sonatas players take the stage for the 2008 New York Steelband Panorama competition, Basement Recordings captures Sonatas Steel Orchestra, the defending champions, in their panyard.
see performance

Web Posted - Friday September 24, 2021
When Steel Talks - Feel the Music - Live the Experience - Reboot

Beyond Great:  Moods Pan Groove - ‘Signal for Lara’ - Len “Boogsie” Sharpe - 1995

Panyard Recording

Brooklyn, New York, USA - This is a special recording by Basement Recordings of the legendary Len “Boogsie” Sharpe’s arrangement of "Signal to Lara" - as performed by Moods Pan Groove in 1995. Over ninety musicians assembled on a Brooklyn Street in East New York to deliver this command performance - as they prepared for the 1995 New York Panorama just a couple of days before the event. The performance was captured with a 24bit digital recorder, one of the very few in the world at that time.
hear performance

Web Posted - Thursday September 23, 2021
The Nation

Don urges Navy to develop steelpan music technology

Nigeria -  An Associate Professor of Music at the Lagos State University, Isaac Yekini-Ajenifuja, has challenged the Nigeria Navy Music School (NNMS), Ota, Ogun State to create a global unbeatable identity for itself with its knowledge of steel pan production.

Yekini-Ajenifuja gave the admonition at this year’s Navy Band Conference themed ‘Improving the capacity building of the Nigerian Navy Band through technology for global recognition.’

Although originally an idea from Trinidad and Tobago, steel pan musical instruments were introduced to the Nigerian Armed Forces at the 1977 Second World Festival of Black Arts and Culture (FESTAC ’77) in Lagos.

....Delivering the keynote lecture at the conference, Yekini-Ajenifuja recalled how the Navy in February 2015, sent six personnel comprising two officers and four Ratings to Trinidad and Tobago, for one year course on steel pan tuning and manufacturing.

....“Also, It is very important to state that an efficient and productive Steel Band has been established in the Nigerian Navy School of Music, Ota and steel pans are presently being fabricated locally here at the school. ”

The director said the conference was designed to provide a dedicated platform for harnessing informed opinions on improving the capacity building of the Nigerian Navy Band with particular attention to steel pan technology as a medium to achieve global recognition.
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Web Posted - Monday September 20, 2021
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

T&T loses celebrated musician, conductor

Global - Gillian Nathaniel Balintulo, a renowned classical musician and teacher, who for many years served as musical director and conductor of the All Stars Steel Orchestra, has died in South Africa after a brief illness. Her death came just months after the passing of her husband Marcus in December 2020. Shortly after, she was diagnosed with cancer and died peacefully in her sleep on September 11, at her home in Cape Town.

Originally from Belmont, Balintulo was, for many years, an in-demand music teacher. However, she is best known for her collaborations with All Stars in the 1980s.

In 1987, she was invited to accompany the-then Catelli All Stars in its performance of Gershwin’s concerto, Rhapsody in Blue for the band’s Classical Jewels VI production.
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Web Posted - Monday September 20, 2021
When Steel Talks - Feel the Music - Live the Experience

Pantonic Steel Orchestra - “Stranger” - (‘Panyard’ version - Audio)

Panyard Recording

Pantonic Steel Orchestra with arranger Clive Bradley on stage at the 2001 New York Panorama competition

Brooklyn, New York, USA - Listen to the sounds of Pantonic Steel Orchestra with master arranger Clive Bradley in Brooklyn, New York, getting ready for the 2001 New York Panorama competition, performing Shadow’s “Stranger.”
Listen

Web Posted - Saturday September 18, 2021
Trinidad Express Newspapers

Dubai welcomes Trini steel

Global - The steelpan will take centre stage at the upcoming Dubai Expo 2020 carded to run from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022.

Both the tenor pan and the PHI electronic steel pan will be featured at the event. The six-month multicultural extravaganza, which will feature creative and business presentations from 193 countries, comes off one year later than originally planned because of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Music promoter Simeon Sandiford, a designated business representative for the T&T Pavilion at the expo, said it presents a unique opportunity to have over 25 million people interact with the pan in person and millions more virtually.

....Sandiford, owner of popular music store Sanch Electronix, said he was pleased to discover that T&T panist Earl Brooks, Jr. has been booked to perform at the expo.
see more

Web Posted - Friday September 17, 2021
When Steel Talks

Kanye West′s `Donda′ features sample from the 20th Century Steel Band

Global - The song opens up with an a cappella sample of 20th Century Steel Band′s 1975 cut “Heaven And Hell Is On Earth.” Jennifer Lopez used the same sample to open her 2002 hip-hop hit, “Jenny From The Block.”  Rap and Hip-Hop stars Salt-N-Pepa used the sample in their “Heaven ʽn Hell” 1994 hit.
hear performances

Web Posted - Thursday September 16, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

‘Hideaway’ - Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra

arranger André White

Brooklyn, New York, USA - Performing an André White-arrangement of the Tessanne Chin-hit ‘Hideaway,’ - Pan Evolution rocks the house at the 2017 Despers USA ‘A Night of Reggae and R&B’ panyard concert.
see video

Web Posted - Tuesday September 14, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

Looking back:  Mack Scott Pays Tribute to Sonatas’ Champion Arranger Ken “Professor” Philmore

“We had a gem, a star in the making, such love and passion for the pan”

Ken “Professor” Philmore

Brooklyn, New York, USA - “Myself and a couple of friends were in Trinidad for Carnival in 1982 and we were told of this young man who played with Fonclaire and was very good, but they won’t give him a chance to arrange. At that time we were looking for someone to arrange for Sonatas, because we had won [New York] Panorama in ‘81 but had to get rid of that arranger because he got too greedy.

....“We met this young guy Ken Philmore, and he told us we have to come to his home and ask his parents which we did. I had to promise them that we would take good care of him; I told them not to worry he would be taken care of.”
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Web Posted - Monday September 13, 2021
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Pan Trinbago president urges public: Get vaccinated for us to play again

Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh plays a toc toc and dances to the sound of music by Moods Steel Orchestra playing Trouble In The Morning at a vaccination drive held at East Grove, Eastern Main Road, Curepe, on Sunday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - President of Pan Trinbago Beverly Ramsey-Moore is calling on the public to do their part in supporting the return of live entertainment by getting vaccinated.

Speaking at a vaccination drive at the East Grove, Curepe, community centre on Sunday morning, Ramsey-Moore said Pan Trinbago fully endorsed the Ministry of Health's vaccination campaign and urged people to take the vaccine for their own protection.

She said fans of steelbands and other live entertainers should show their support and get vaccinated if they were serious about returning to normal.
See more...

Web Posted - Friday September 10, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

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.
See  more...

Web Posted - Friday September 10, 2021
Barbados Today

NCF all set to rekindle Youth Steel Orchestra

Barbados, W.I. - The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) is well underway to rekindling the National Youth Steel Orchestra in time for a grand performance in November. Last Friday, September 3, sixty students separated in groups of 10s, completed a three-week steel pan workshop at St Leonard’s Boys School.

The students in the workshop comprised of pre-teen music and steelpan enthusiasts, teenaged music and steelpan players and community group players.

Chief Executive Officer of the NCF Carol Roberts-Reifer said the workshop was part of a larger effort to ensure the National Youth Steel Orchestra remains relevant and viable.

“This is all in an effort to get the Orchestra functioning on a full-time basis....”
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Web Posted - Friday September 10, 2021
When Steel Talks

Pan Movement For Innovation, Development and National Unity

Who is Robert Hernandez?

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Born and raised in Success Village, Laventille, his early education was at the Ideal High School in Belmont before migrating to the US. Further studies included obtaining a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Management at City University of New York, and a MBA Degree in General Management at Dowling College, Long Island, New York. Additional studies included a Diploma in Executive Leadership at Duke University, Richmond, Virginia.

Successfully negotiated a ninety-nine (99) year lease with NP (National Petroleum) for Highlanders Steel Orchestra to acquire a Pan Yard Home on the Eastern Main Road in Success Village, Laventille. Following this, another successful negotiation resulted in Highlanders getting approval from the East Port of Spain Development Company to construct a modern Pan Theatre and Home Work/After School Centre in the newly acquired Pan Yard. Construction is currently underway and the facility is near completion. Under its current management and leadership, Highlanders was a finalist in the recent 2020 National Panorama Competition, placing 6^th in the Small Band Category.
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Web Posted - Thursday September 9, 2021
Tropicalfete.com

Tropicalfete Announces Postponement of Carnival Festival

Brooklyn, New York, USA - “Tropicalfete regrettably announces the postponement of their end of summer Carnival Festival, scheduled for September 11th at the Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch Plaza. Based upon the rising number of COVID-19 cases in New York City and the highly infectious delta and mu variants, the decision to postpone the event was recommended by Colden Corporation, an occupational health, safety and environmental firm owned and managed by practicing Certified Industrial Hygienists, Certified Safety Professionals, and doctoral trained senior scientists. Colden Corporation is the Brooklyn Public Library’s COVID-19 consultant.

“Tropicalfete has spent months planning the event, which is a celebration of Caribbean culture and the core elements of carnival: calypso/soca, the steel pan and masquerade. A rescheduled date will be announced shortly.”
See original post

Web Posted - Thursday September 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

J’Ouvert in Brooklyn, New York - Over the Years

Brooklyn, New York, USA - Highlights of steelbands, mas characters, and more.  The main stretch was along Empire Boulevard in Brooklyn, New York, during the annual early-morning festival.
See video

Web Posted - Thursday September 9, 2021
Yahoo Finance

Michigan Philharmonic Brings Back Live Music for Historic 76th Season

Plymouth, Michigan, USA - Michigan's premier regional orchestra is returning this fall with a historic season of live performances that begin in October and run through the spring of 2022. 

For the Michigan Philharmonic this year will be a "Take2 Celebration," a series of concerts dedicated to the community and honoring its 76th birthday season that includes world premieres, exciting concerts designed for unique instruments like mandolins and steelpans, a holiday performance, concerts at Schoolcraft College and the subtle sounds of a internationally renowned jazz guitarist.

....In February it's time for "All that Jazz: The Roaring Twenties and Beyond" on Feb. 12 at Schoolcraft College's VisTaTech Center.

....A month later watch for the Caribbean-inspired "A Night in Tropics" on March 11 at First Methodist Church in Plymouth and featuring a never-before-spotlighted steelpan soloist Josanne Francis. This is also a "side-by-side" concert with the Michigan Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO).

Steelpan soloist Josanne Francis

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Web Posted - Thursday September 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

Who Give Them the Okay? — A Brooklyn J’Ouvert Story

An Opinion - by Garvin Blake

Brooklyn, New York, USA - Liming on the sidewalk, listening to pan with friends and strangers, some dancing, others ole talking, was a quasi-J’Ouvert, and a way to mobilize the band for the Labor Day Parade. Panmen like Kenneth “Colors” Serrano, Anthony “Big Tony” Joseph, Brian Joseph, Edgar Gamory, Junior “Man” Samuel, Earl “Dust” Noel, Clement Franklin, Wayne “Pappitts” Baptiste and his sister Carol, never went home, breaking the night dew to insure all the pans made it to Eastern Parkway safely...

After winning Panorama in 1990 with Clive Bradley’s arrangement of “Tell Me Why”, instead of going back to the panyard, which was now on Atlantic Avenue, Metro headed south down Washington Avenue and parked up on the corner of Woodruff and Flatbush Avenue. Around five o’clock Monday morning all the players made their way to the band...
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Web Posted - Monday September 6, 2021
When Steel Talks

Meet Gregory Lindsay - Manager, Administrator, Panist - UpClose!

A When Steel Talks Exclusive

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “In my opinion, they are not represented as well as they ought to be. There is no Musician's Union in this Republic, even though there are prominent examples in other jurisdictions. Accordingly, players are always left hanging out to dry; then, orchestras - unsponsored single pan, to large [orchestras]. The buck stops at the office of the President of Pan Trinbago.” –– Gregory Lindsay

“Shut-up and play yur pan” is not part of his DNA.  Whether you love him or hate him - there is no doubt that he is one of ʽthe straws that stir the drink.’ Furthermore, he is clearly quite comfortable in all three classes of the republic - Workers, Warriors and/or Philosopher Kings.
See interview

Web Posted - Sunday September 5, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

Sonatas Steel Orchestra - “In De Minor” - (‘Tempo’ version - Video)

Panyard Recording

Brooklyn, New York, USA - Basement Recordings captures Sonatas Steel Orchestra as they prepare for the 2014 New York steelband Panorama competition a couple of nights before the event. Sonatas Steel Orchestra performed a Leon Foster Thomas-arrangement of “In De Minor.” This is the ‘Tempo’ version. .
see video

Web Posted - Thursday September 2, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra - “Full Extreme” - (‘Cool Down’ version - Video)

Panyard Recording

Brooklyn, New York, USA - Another Basement Recordings production. Captured “live” at Pan Evolution’s East Flatbush, Brooklyn Pan Yard days before what was supposed to have been the New York 2017 Panorama competition. The selection is soca artist Voice’s “Full Extreme,” as arranged by André White. This is a “cool down” version.
see video

Web Posted - Wednesday September 1, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

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

2020 Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband Panorama Info - Complete

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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