Web Posted - Monday
January 31, 2022
When Steel Talks
Let’s revive pan music in Guyana
by Dillon Goring
Guyana, South America - Steelpan
music began in Guyana in the early 1950s and for some time, this
type of music enjoyed much popularity, but over the years, that
popularity has significantly waned, causing pan enthusiasts to
call for a revamping of the genre.
In a 2019 article on thingsguyana.com, an online magazine,
Andrew Tyndall in his post as Mashramani Coordinator said:
“In the early ‘50s, almost every community had a steel band,
particularly pan tuners, a movement that took the country by
storm. However, the number of steel bands in the latter half of
the ‘80s and ‘90s began to diminish and continued to. This was
caused by the different routes used to create and manage a band.
In the ‘50s, tuners were once considered the owners of the
band....”
see more
Web Posted - Monday
January 31, 2022
IssueWire
Sista Dee and The Dis n Dat band release new album
Massachusetts, USA -
“Dis n Dat productions and One Love Music is thrilled to
announce the release of their latest album “Purpose.”
“....The title track “Purpose” is a Neo reggae/soul blend that
is sure to capture your ears and minds featuring 4-time
Grammy-nominated drummer ‘Rangotan’ and luscious guitar solos
from Alexander Tchaikovsky, the great-great-grandson of the
great classical composer ‘Tchaikovsky,’ blended with the sweet
steel drum sounds and vocals of
Sista Dee.”
....The album will be released on March 4th, 2022 and pre-sale
will be available on February 4th, 2022.
see more
Web Posted - Monday
January 24, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
Bandleaders demand Pan Trinbago elections before Carnival
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
“Peace, be still,” was
Pan Trinbago president
Beverley Ramsey-Moore’s only response to more calls for her
to step down and call an election.
She was responding to demands by a group of steelband leaders
for the overdue executive election to be immediately held.
The current executive was voted into office in 2018. Pan
Trinbago’s constitution says an election must be held between
September 1 and October 31 every three years.
In November Ramsey-Moore said the election was postponed in the
best interest of the organisation’s elderly membership.
On Monday, bandleaders from City Sun Valley Pan Groove, Belmont
Hi-Larks, Diatonic Steel Orchestra,
Western Stars Philharmonics,
Power Stars,
Desperadoes and Trinidad East Side Symphony spoke to the
media at Pan Trinbago’s headquarters on Duke and Melbourne
Street, Port of Spain.
see more
Web Posted - Sunday
January 23, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
Aliyah Lau, vice-captain of Proman Starlift Steel Orchestra,
at just 18
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
Aliyah Lau’s life revolves around music.
From studying and practising for performances, to her
administrative functions, the 18-year-old lives and breathes
music.
Lau, the top student in music in TT in the CSEC exam in 2020, is
vice-captain of Proman
Starlift Steel Orchestra. She was
appointed to the position last year, and said she got off to a
shaky start, just as she did when she was suddenly thrust into a
virtual school setting while preparing for her CSEC exams two
years ago.
....As vice-captain of Starlift, Lau is responsible for making
sure the players are at, and on time for rehearsals and that
they know their music. She said the transition from being a
regular member of the band to vice-captain was hard.
“I am one of the youngest persons in an authoritative role in
the pan fraternity. Added to that, I’m female and I’m literally
very small,” she said with a laugh. But, she has since found her
footing and said she and the band members “have a little groove
going on right now.”
See more
Web Posted - Friday
January 21, 2022
The Petoskey News-Review
Petoskey High School band directors, assistant principal
remain on administrative leave
Northmen Stadium and the Petoskey High School as
seen from this aerial photo
Petoskey, Michigan, USA -
Public Schools of Petoskey Superintendent Chris Parker addressed
the situation regarding three band instructors and an assistant
principal who are all currently on paid leave during Thursday’s
board of education meeting.
Last month, Petoskey High School band directors Tom Harder, Patrick Ryan
and Duane Willson were placed on administrative leave. News of their
suspension was announced in an email to teachers, students and band parents
by the school district.
In that email, Parker indicated parents “may
be aware” Harder, Ryan and Willson had not been in school and that their
absences would “continue indefinitely.”
....“This is a tough time, you didn’t choose this for you, I didn’t
choose this for you and yet here we are,” Parker said. “I’d like to address
those concerns to the extent now that I legally can. First of all, be
assured the band, including the steel drum band, will continue. Qualified
substitutes have been and will continue to lead the music programs and I
thank them for their assistance.
........Haley Dixon, a Petoskey High School senior and head drum major
for the Petoskey High School marching band who is also part of the steel
drum band, said she was utterly disappointed with how the situation
regarding the band instructors has been handled.
“I think there needs to be a decision made sooner than later because many
students have been saying, especially middle schoolers too, that they want
their band directors back and they are on the verge of deciding to quit,
which is not where we want the program to go.
“Petoskey’s band reputation is huge and we want that program to keep
building and right now it’s depleting because of what the board is doing,”
Dixon added. “It’s really disappointing because we want answers and we
aren’t getting any.”
See more
Web Posted - Friday
January 21, 2022
When Steel Talks
ʽA Taste of Carnival 2022’ - Trinidad & Tobago’s Ministry of
Tourism, Culture and the Arts clears the air
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts takes note of the
comments in the public domain related to the headline in
Thursday’s (Thursday 20, 2022) Trinidad Express Newspapers’
“Carnival is On”.
It is unfortunate that the statement released by this Ministry
was misinterpreted by the Express, which caused the misleading
headline, “Carnival is On”.
This misleading headline has, understandably, generated negative
feedback from some of this Ministry’s most valuable Carnival and
event industry stakeholders who may have connected the headline
in the Daily Express to the Ministry’s positions on Carnival
2022.
See more
Web Posted - Thursday
January 20, 2022
Antigua Observer
Antiguan stalwart awarded posthumously for his contribution
to the performing arts
Sir Selvyn A Walter received the nation’s second
highest award when he was conferred with Knight
Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of the
Nation (KCN) in 2013 (File photo by G.
Hazelwood)
Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. -
Former MP and celebrated writer, the late Sir Selvyn Walter, is
to be given a posthumous award for his contributions to the
performing arts.
Sir Selvyn is among seven individuals to be recognised in 2021 by the
Sunshine Awards Organization based in the US state of New Jersey for their
contribution to various disciplines.
The awards were founded in 1989 by Gilman Figaro Snr to recognise and
reward excellence in the performing arts, education, human science,
technology, and sports in various Caribbean countries.
Sir Selvyn was a founding member of the
Halcyon Steel Orchestra which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.
He was also recognised locally for his work in the steelband movement prior
to his death in September 2020.
See more
Web Posted - Thursday
January 20, 2022
When Steel Talks
The day Sidney Poitier expressed his love for The Trinidad
and Tobago National Steelband
by Clevil James
Michigan, USA -
In 1964, The Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband performed at
the Moral Re-Armament Conference at Mackinac Island, Michigan.
Maybe it was serendipity that caused Bahamian-born American actor Sidney
Poitier (1927-2022) to be present at one of the band’s performances while he
was visiting his daughter, who was attending the conference.
He was so overwhelmed with the music that he insisted on meeting the
players. As can be seen in the photo, the meeting brought great joy to
Poitier (with pan sticks in hand) and all the musicians.
See more
Web Posted - Thursday
January 20, 2022
Loop News
Starlift Steel Orchestra rebranded to include ʽProman’
namesake
Player at Proman Starlift Steel Orchestra
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The
Proman family of companies has announced that the Starlift Steel
Orchestra has been rebranded as the Proman
Starlift Steel Orchestra.
Methanol Holdings (Trinidad) Limited, a member of the Proman
family, has been the band’s primary sponsor for the past six
years.
A statement from the group said the transition integrates the
steel orchestra further within Proman’s portfolio of local
sustainable investments and aligns the company’s long-term
commitment to promoting Trinidad and Tobago’s indigenous arts
and cultural expressions.
“The rebranding coincides with the band’s 65th
anniversary, a remarkable legacy achievement that
highlights the band’s contribution to the development of local
music, carnival arts, and culture.”
In its 65-year history, the Proman Starlift Steel Orchestra has
been a finalist in Panorama 28 times and has never missed a
competition.
See more
Web Posted - Saturday
January 15, 2022
Trinidad Express Newspapers
Steel invades the Internet
Jam Yuh Set ...In-De-Rama
Nuttin Big Pan Groove Inc perform
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
PAN lives!
Even though panyards across the country have been lying dormant
since the start of the pandemic, panists from Port of Spain and
Arima, Chaguanas all the way to South Trinidad are now back in
action thanks to the 2022 inaugural “Jam Yuh Set In-De-Rama”
competition. The “Jam Yuh Set” steelband competition is the only
online pan event for Trinidad Carnival 2022. It is an initiative
of the Pan Moving Forward organisation and is the brainchild of
its president Aquil Arrindell who came up with the idea late
last year. He approached Jonathan Achaiba and Lesedi Felix with
the idea, a committee was formed, and the groundwork was laid.
This mini steelband competition comprises three stages;
preliminary and semi-final rounds and the finals. All
participating bands must perform on single pans, regardless of
their category. Bands must comprise no less than six and no more
than ten players. The bands must record their performances and
upload the videos onto social media.
See more
Web Posted - Friday January 14, 2022
When Steel Talks
Frank Laborde Anderson - St. Vincent Steelpan Legend
In the Spotlight
by Bassy Alexander
St. Vincent and The Grenadines, W.I. -
Dis week ah revisiting an article ah wrote in June of
2018 about an unsung Hero named Frank Laborde. Ah very quiet,
humble and approachable man. Oh how he loved his privacy. But
when Paddy Corea, ah Pan-ah-maniac mentioned his name and told
me dat Frank was a Legend of Pan and don’t let him escape, ah
went chasing him.
....In De early 1940s, dis youth-man migrated to Trinidad, de
land of steel band. He be-friended Norbert Vanderpool, a
co-worker and a member of Invaders steel band. Norbert invited
Frank to a practice session in the Pan Yard in Woodbrook, and
Frank was simply fascinated with everything he saw and heard, in
particular the Ping Pong or lead instrument dat is today de
Tenor Pan. Wid his photograph memory he took ah lot ah mental
pictures.
see more
Web Posted - Monday
January 10, 2022
Antigua Observer
Steelband appeals for assistance to secure premises
following burglary
Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. -
Members of the
Panache Steel Orchestra have launched an appeal for help
after a person or persons unknown reportedly damaged and stole
property from their Sir Sydney Walling Highway pan yard on the
weekend.
The captain,
Maurisha Potter, disclosed that the members which mostly
consist of young people are now fearful and feel unsafe
following the incident.
“We feel a bit timid now, going to the pan yard because now we
are aware that someone is probably watching us or watching our
movements....”
See more
Web Posted - Saturday January
8, 2022
When Steel Talks
To Sir With Love - Royal Bahamas Defence Force pays tribute
to Sir Sidney Poitier
Nassau, The Bahamas - Coral Harbour Base -
With the air of a salute befitting royalty, members of the Royal
Bahamas Defence Force are paying special tribute to Sir Sidney Poitier in
recognition of his ninety-second birthday on Wednesday 20 February 2019 with
a unique video collaboration that was released earlier tonight via
mainstream and social media.
Through this production of love, members of the Defence Force–The
Bahamas’ military service–salute the life and living legacy of a great
Bahamian-American, celebrated actor, film director, author and diplomat
See more,
video
Web Posted - Sunday January
2, 2022
When Steel Talks
Veteran calypsonian and Panist “Kenny J” has passed
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - When Steel
Talks extends condolences to the family and friends of veteran calypsonian
and panist Kenny J. He died
from
COVID-19, reportedly on January 2nd.
....A one-time tenor
player with
Guinness Cavaliers
Steel Orchestra
and the T&T Police
Steel Orchestra,
this calypsonian
recorded and
performed many songs
for the steel pan
including
Pan in The Wind,
Sweet Hand and
Doh Touch We
Carnival.
See more
Web Posted - Saturday
January 1, 2022
When Steel Talks
Happy New Year 2022 - from When Steel Talks (WST)
Global - When Steel Talks
extends New Year’s greetings to all.
More
When Steel Talks2020 Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband Panorama Info - Complete
o
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
