Web Posted - Thursday June 30, 2022
When Steel Talks

Well done! Unison Steel - New Kids on the Block

A night of classic jams in Brooklyn, New York. Indeed a ‘quiet storm’ moment

Unison Steel

New York, USA - They may be the new kids on the block or more accurately the latest (new) edition on the block - but they did not disappoint. For sure it was Friday and the vibes were there with a whole lot of Summer jubilation in the air. Johnny Kemp would not have been disappointed. Unison Steel delivered. Billed as “A Pan Lime” with a Miami Vibes theme - indeed, heads were moving and shaking, fingers snapping and feet tapping as Unison Steel dropped a wide and varied set of musical delights that enchanted the full house of pan limers.
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Web Posted - Wednesday June 29, 2022
Antigua Observer

Victor “Babu” Samuel to receive official funeral

 

Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - Steel band legend Victor “Babu” Samuel will receive an official funeral, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Lionel Hurst has confirmed.

The decision was taken yesterday in Cabinet, just hours after former prime minister Baldwin Spencer – who has long been a part of the Halcyon Steel Band’s management – suggested that an official funeral would be a fitting sendoff for the accomplished musician.
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Web Posted - Wednesday June 29, 2022
Real News Antigua

Former Prime Minister Spencer says an official funeral for “Babu” is fitting and he will lobby the authorities for this honour

 
Former Prime Minister Spencer

Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - Former Prime Minister and well-known pan enthusiast Dr. Winston Baldwin Spencer is calling for an official funeral for renowned panist Victor “Babu” Samuel, and he says he will be taking this request to the relevant authorities.

In an interview on Wednesday morning, Spencer said he is deeply saddened by the passing of Samuel, a very close friend whom he described as a musical icon.

Samuel, who had been ailing for some months now, died on Tuesday, June 28, at about 4:20 p.m.
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Web Posted - Wednesday June 29, 2022
Antigua Observer

Police Pay Tribute to the Passing of Victor “Babu” Samuel Sr.

 
Renowned panist, Victor “Babu” Samuel, deceased

Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - Commissioner Rodney and other ranks of the Police Force are joining with the pan fraternity and the music industry in paying tribute to the passing of renowned panist and former member of the Police Band, Victor “Babu” Samuel Sr.

In 2009, Victor “Babu” Samuel was sworn in as a Special Constable in the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda and later became a member of the Police Band.

....He was the first to have introduced the steel pan instrument to the Police Band, and to date, it still remains one of the most highlighted features.
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Web Posted - Wednesday June 29, 2022
When Steel Talks

RIP - Scholar, educator, champion Panorama arranger, drummer and ace panist Victor “Babu” Samuel has passed

Victor “Babu” Samuel

Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - When Steel Talks extends our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Victor “Babu” Samuel on his passing on June 28, 2022.

....“Babu” has notable achievements, these include: the first foreigner to arrange for a steelband in Trinidad’s Panorama; the most successful arranger in Antigua’s Steelband history. He also “drilled” for the Phase II Pan Groove, one of Trinidad’s leading steelbands. Achievements such as these only confirm Victor “Babu” Samuel as the undisputed champion steelband arranger of Antigua.
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Web Posted - Tuesday June 28, 2022
Antigua Observer

Tributes for steel pan icon Victor “Babu” Samuel

Victor “Babu” Samuel

Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - The country’s steel band community has been plunged into mourning following the death of pan icon Victor “Babu” Samuel.

Samuel who had been ailing for some time passed away yesterday afternoon. His family announced his death at around 4.30 p.m. Tuesday.

A fundraising event dubbed ‘Pand’garden’ was recently held at the Botanical Gardens to support his medical expenses.

Samuel suffered a stroke two years ago which took a toll on his ability to play pan.
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Web Posted - Tuesday June 28, 2022
ABS TV Radio

Victor Samuel Recounts His Father’s Final Tearful Moments

Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - 64-year-old steel pan icon Victor “Babu” Samuel passed away on Monday afternoon, leaving a pall of grief over his family and the nation. He had been battling illness over the past few months.

He is being showered with tributes and encomiums for his sterling contribution to the art form and cultural expression in general.

His son, Victor Samuel Jr. recounts the poignant final moments...
see video

Web Posted - Sunday June 26, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Artists Sherlann Peters, Maria Diaz: Yoruba monument ‘our biggest dream’

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Artists Sherlann Peters and Maria Diaz could not help but shed tears of joy when, on June 18, one of their biggest dreams was realised with the unveiling of the Yoruba Village Monument.

....the female figure is a nurturing one....And since the national instrument came from what used to be know as Yoruba Village, the design of her collar is that of the steelpan while her earrings are steelpan sticks.

The male figure....is also playing a talking drum and stick and Peters explained, “The talking drums were banned during slavery, but from that ban came the evolution of the steelpan. He is like the father protecting everyone and he’s bringing up the rear with the music and the rhythm. He represents the festival, the vibe of the area which is appropriate as we see the influence of African music of soca and calypso.”
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Web Posted - Saturday June 25, 2022
BrattBeat

Music Under the Stars: Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra

Vermont, USA - The three-part Music Under the Stars series returns to the Square for the fourth season.

....Join us under Vermont skies, amid the historic beauty of Retreat Farm to hear Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra! Experience the feel-good Caribbean vibe of one of Brooklyn’s top steel bands.

Presented by Retreat Farm and the Brattleboro Music Center, this outdoor concert series has been rated as one of Vermont’s Top 10 Summer Events.
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Web Posted - Wednesday June 22, 2022
The News Guard

Pan Wizards Orchestra coming to Regatta Park

Pan Wizards Steel Orchestra

Oregon, USA - Lincoln City Parks & Recreation (LCP&R) is hosting a special concert at 5:30 p.m. June 25 in Regatta Park, at the Morgan Family Stage.

The Pan Wizards Steel Orchestra, a large and unique musical ensemble, is a 32-piece steel band from the Seattle area, the flagship ensemble of Steel Magic Northwest. This 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is founded and directed by internationally known steelpan specialist Gary Gibson. The concert is free and open to the public.
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Web Posted - Tuesday June 21, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Johann Chuckaree, His Story – a review

Dane Gulston, left, and Johann Chuckaree proved that duelling pans can and do showcase their trademark 16th note rapid arpeggios

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.  - The long and short of it is that for $250 and with three hours of solid live music performances, Johann Chuckaree’s concert at the Queen’s Hall on June 18, His Story, was a value-for-money entertainment spectacle that signifies in this post-Taste-of-Carnival, post-COVID lockdown TT, that what these musicians and singers have been holding back for the past 24 months was awaiting the right event release valve to satisfy an eager audience slowly coming out once again for shows.

....Four steelpan musicians vied for the unenviable position of being stand-out instrumental performer on Saturday. One can say the instrument was the stand-out.
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Web Posted - Tuesday June 21, 2022
Door County Pulse

Birch Creek Opens Season June 23 with Percussion & Steel Band

Wisconsin, USA - Birch Creek Music Performance Center will present the opening-night concert of its 47th year of excellence in music education and concert performances with Pop Goes Percussion on June 23.

Percussion & Steel Band launches the first two weeks of the 2022 season, with concerts featuring faculty performing artists and advanced student musicians who perform musical styles including Caribbean steel pan, standard percussion ensembles, classic jazz, world percussion, rearrangements of popular contemporary pieces, and new music.
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Web Posted - Tuesday June 21, 2022
When Steel Talks

Moving to the Beat of Kaiso & Pan in St. James

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Calypso takes centre stage at ‘WeBeat St. James Live 22… We Back Festival’ on Friday June 24 at the St. James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St. James.

With Scrunter, Superblue, Johnny King, Funny, Bally, Trinidad Rio and David Bereaux on guitar, the evening promises a melodic trip down memory lane.

....The celebration continues on Sunday June 26 with Steelpan Explosion – The Concert featuring some of the big names in the line-up. Featured steel orchestras are Supernovas, Couva Joylanders, Phase II Pan Groove, Invaders, Starlift, Power Stars and St. James Tripolians.
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Web Posted - Friday June 17, 2022
Loop News

Johann Chuckaree to showcase musical roots in “His Story” concert

Johann Chuckaree

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan virtuoso Johann Chuckaree will entertain an eager Queen’s Hall audience next weekend in a celebration of two decades in the business.

His Story: A Musical Journey, scheduled for Saturday, June 18, is a retrospective of sorts on the last 20 years of Chuckaree’s career and will unite an eclectic lineup of performers to share the stage with the panist.

....Among the lineup of guest performers is Chuckaree’s older sister, Johanna, one of the people to whom he credits his musical development.

....Dr Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, along with panists Dane Gulston and Joshua Regrello, saxophonist Adrian “Saxman” Kong, Farmer Nappy, Nishard M, singer and guitarist Nigel Rojas, and vocalists Raymond Edwards and Jolene Romain are slated to perform.
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Web Posted - Friday June 17, 2022
Barbados Today

Pandemonium at Republic Bank

Barbados, W.I. - Republic Bank has injected BDS$85 000 in sponsorship into the National Cultural Foundation’s (NCF) pan event.

The Republic Bank Pandemonium, one of the highly-anticipated events on the 2022 Crop Over calendar, will be held on July 24, at the National Botanical Gardens.

....During a press launch at Republic Bank, Warrens, St Michael, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anthony Clerk....reminded the audience that pan music remains a shared cultural thread between Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. He said to date, Trinidad’s renowned Exodus Steel Orchestra continues to be sponsored by Republic Financial Holdings Limited, Republic Bank’s parent company.

“Our support of Pandemonium is all about ensuring pan lives on as an important legacy bequeathed to us from generations past, to capture the hearts of future generations, as well as those who visit our shores.
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Web Posted - Friday June 17, 2022
Trinidad Express Newspapers

Johann to play one for dad

Panist tells musical story tomorrow

TWO-DECADE CAREER: Ace panist Johann Chuckaree

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Johann Chuckaree has an intriguing story to tell. Chuckaree will unpack the joy, triumph and profound pain of his two-decade music career on his tenor pan at tomorrow’s “His Story, A Musical Journey”, at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s.

The Woodbrook-born panist says the concert performance will be dedicated to his late father, Michael Chuckaree.

....“Dad to me was one of my biggest supporters. If anyone been to Phase II panyard you would see my dad there with his own stool, sat down in front of the band during rehearsals...”
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Web Posted - Thursday June 16, 2022
When Steel Talks

WeBeat Returns to St. James... “We Back”

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - After being silenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, WeBeat St. James Live will return to the St. James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St. James, for the first time in two years.

The long–awaited 2022 revival of the cultural and social celebration of steelpan music, tassa, calypso and popular music will take place from June 24 to June 26, 2022.

The weekend production scaled down from the original ten days will showcase three of its most popular events i.e. Steelband Concert, Vintage Calypso and Health & Wellness Day.
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Web Posted - Thursday June 16, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trini Riddims hosts show at “Despers” panyard

Chantal Esdelle, left, with Douglas Redon on pan, will both perform at the launch of Trini Riddims Cultural Tours tourism drive on June 18 at Desperadoes Steelband panyard, Victoria Avenue, Port of Spain.

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Trini Riddims Cultural Tours will launch its tourism initiative at the Desperadoes Panyard, Tragarete Road, Port of Spain, on June 18 with a free concert. The initiative is geared toward bringing all aspects of Trinidad and Tobago’s culture as well as artisans to the forefront of the tourism industry.

A packed six hours of entertainment will feature the 2011 Calypso Monarch Karene Asche, conscious lyrics by Mr. King, Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, Laventille Rhythm Section, Roadblock Steel Orchestra, Shazzie of the Workshop868 Band who will perform the Dholakman, Caribbean Steelpan Connextion Ensemble and comedian Knuts Landing.

....The founder of Trini Riddims, Curtis Edwards, has over 40 years in the cultural arena.
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Web Posted - Wednesday June 15, 2022
When Steel Talks

Pan Evolution - A Steelband Grows in Brooklyn

by Garvin Blake

Pan Evolution at BRIC’s Celebrate Brooklyn 2022

Brooklyn, New York, USA - Saturday, June 11 was etched on my calendar since BRIC (Brooklyn Information & Culture) released their Celebrate Brooklyn schedule in late April. Pan was again taking center stage at the borough’s biggest and best summer festival.

....PESO was the opening act for the veteran reggae-fusion band Third World. And although most of the crowd came to hear the legendary group out of Jamaica, they were also treated to a blossoming steelband out of Brooklyn.
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Web Posted - Wednesday June 15, 2022
Canada’s National Observer

Toronto school board celebrates opening of centre for Black excellence

Students play steel drums at the opening of the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement

Toronto, Canada - To the sound of African and Caribbean drumming and plenty of engagement from enthusiastic parents, educators and other supporters, the Toronto District School Board launched its Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement at a Scarborough high school this week.

The theme of the evening was joy, a feeling those involved in the first-in-Canada project want to encourage among a student cohort historically more likely to be disciplined, pushed out of school early, or directed away from university than celebrated and nurtured.
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Web Posted -- Wednesday June 15, 2022
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday

Migrant children to learn to play pan

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Venezuelan migrant boys and girls in TT will receive steelpan classes, says new Venezuelan ambassador Álvaro Sánchez Cordero (pictured).

This plan is part of the education and support programme for Venezuelan children that the embassy will implement.

Sánchez Cordero  told Newsday on Monday the pan proposal was made by Venezuelan parents.

“Since I arrived at TT a little over a month ago I have met many Venezuelans. Several of them are parents interested in their children learning a little more about the culture of both Venezuela and TT,” he said.

Sánchez Cordero said last week he met with the mayor of San Fernando, Junia Regrello, and they discussed various issues, including cultural links between the two countries.
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Web Posted - - Sunday June 12, 2022
When Steel Talks

France takes PanoGrama 2022 title

Mathieu Borgne

Global - The curtains fell on the immensely popular PanoGrama virtual steelpan competition on Sunday night to much fanfare. A total of 10 talented panists representing five countries – USA, France, Belize, T&T and Grenada – pulled out all the stops to entertain and impress the judges. Mathieu Borgne of France emerged victorious.

Barbadian upcoming artist Dria opened the event with a captivating performance of the PanoGrama anthem, before esteemed adjudicator Dr. Mia Gormandy-Benjamin delivered special remarks.
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Web Posted - Sunday June 12, 2022
When Steel Talks

France’s Mathieu Borgne Tops PanoGrama 2022 Virtual Steelpan Competition - Results

Mathieu Borgne

Global - From twenty-four, to twenty, to ten steelpan final night artists. And then there was one. PanoGrama 2022 champion Mathieu Borgne from France copped first place, ultimately besting his twenty-three co-competitors. Borgne afforded the audience and judges a unique interpretation of Donna Lee by Charlie Parker on his double seconds.

Borgne’s prize takeaway includes USD $1,000.00, a trip to the Bahamas courtesy that country’s Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, a Perfect Steel-branded tenor pan, and a private session with a world-renowned steel panist.
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Web Posted - Saturday June 11, 2022
When Steel Talks

PanoGrama 2022 Finals: Streaming of Steelpan Performances

Global - The final ten steelpan musicians who moved forward from the 2022 Panograma semi-finals have their performances as finalists streamed at 8:00 p.m. AST (Atlantic Standard Time) on June 12.
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Web Posted - Friday June 10, 2022
Searchlight.VC

BBC accused of ‘blanking’ Steelband in Jubilee celebrations

Pan performance at Buckingham Palace

London, United Kingdom - The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has been accused of deliberately ‘blanking’ a scheduled live broadcast of a Caribbean steelband from the programme of last Sunday’s coverage of a cultural event at Buckingham Palace as part of the official celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth 11. The accusation was made on the T&T based online platform, ‘When Steel talks’ on June 7.
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Web Posted - Thursday June 9, 2022
Loop News

No Panorama competition at Antigua & Barbuda Carnival 2022

Members of the Hells Gate Steel Orchestra in Antigua practising for a recent performance

Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - The Panorama competition has officially been axed from the Antigua & Barbuda Carnival events calendar for 2022.

The development took place after a lengthy meeting yesterday between the government, Ministry of the Creative Industries and Innovation, steelpan bands and other stakeholders.

....But the appetite of pan enthusiasts will be quenched as there will be a Pan Show, where all the steel bands will perform, on Carnival Sunday night at the Antigua Recreation Ground.
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Web Posted - Tuesday June 7, 2022
When Steel Talks

Well done! UKASPO (UK All Steel Percussion Orchestra) - (Ebony Steelband, Mangrove Steelband, Croydon and Metronomes steel orchestras) performs at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration

London, United Kingdom - When Steel Talks extends congratulations to all involved in the historical grand steel orchestra music production for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee outside Buckingham Palace on Sunday 5 June 2022.

It was an awesome performance and an occasion with significant cultural and historical importance - particularly in recognition of the importance of the Windrush Generation.

Performing the musical works of the late great calypsonian Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts) was very appropriate.
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Web Posted - Monday June 6, 2022
When Steel Talks

Final ten steelpanists take center stage for 2022 PanoGrama - Order of Appearance & Selections

Emmanuel Joseph - PanoGrama 2022 semi-final performance

Global - From twenty-four steelpanists in the preliminaries, PanoGrama 2022 has narrowed to just ten representing five countries - USA, France, Belize, Trinidad & Tobago, and Grenada – for the grand finale on June 12. The stage is now set with Emmanuel Joseph (Trinidad & Tobago) opening the night, and fellow national Shaquille “Flogo” Forbes bringing the curtains down on the virtual competition.
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Web Posted - Monday June 6, 2022
When Steel Talks

BBC allegedly throws serious “white-out” on one of UK steelbands’ finest moments - No Live Broadcast of Pan performance at Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

London, United Kingdom - What should have been one of the greatest moments in the history of the steelpan instrument in the United Kingdom, is now turning into a less than stellar occurrence - as BBC allegedly pulled the plug on the ‘live’ broadcast / live streaming of the event with the world watching.

A deeply disappointed and irate viewer posted his feeling on this behavior in the When Steel Talks forum.
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Web Posted - Sunday June 5, 2022
Loop News

Franklyn Grant stamps his name on American pop culture

From the panyard to recording studio, the T&T-born producer and engineer has shaped the most popular songs

Franklyn Grant

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Franklyn Grant recalls the first time he met Mariah Carey.

Prior to meeting her, the musician, producer and audio engineer, had expressed doubt about the authenticity of her famous whistle notes.

....Grant hails from the eastern town of Tacarigua and started his musical journey at the age of nine playing the steelpan.

“I couldn’t wait for school to be over to head to the panyard. Music and art were the two main things I cared about and football,” he recalls.

....“When I landed in America I wanted to go home. I was in Connecticut and after the first couple of weeks I said I going home, it had no steelband. The woman my mother worked with asked me what was the problem, I said I am a music guy and she asked if I could get steel drums would I stay? She said she would buy the drums for me,” Grant recalls.
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Web Posted - Saturday June 4, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Caribbean Steelpan Connextion first steelband to get LMD grant

Members of Caribbean Steelpan Connextion entertain the audience at Return of the Secret Garden at Alliance Francaise TT, Alcazar Street, Port of Spain on May 28

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Caribbean Steelpan Connextion became the first steelband to receive the Live Music District Grant from the TT Music Company (MusicTT).

The company says the grant is available to promoters and event managers who are planning virtual, hybrid and/or in-person music events featuring live musical acts across Trinidad and Tobago.

“MusicTT will provide a subsidy of $800 per singer/musician booked to perform at the event.”
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Web Posted - Saturday June 4, 2022
NY Daily News

Victor Provost makes a way for steelpan on stage and in the classroom

Last month, USVI-born panist Victor Provost (right) performed with an ensemble at Flushing Town Hall in Queens.

New York, USA - At the age 11, U.S. Virgin Islands-born Victor Provost was taking piano lessons in a downstairs room at the St. John School of the Arts when he drawn to the melodious sounds of youngsters playing steelpan in an upstairs room — and his life was forever changed.

“Part of it was the sound for sure; it was the energy of the music,” said Provost, reflecting on his initial personal connection with steelpan. “I’ll never forget, man, recalling that his pan playing classmates “were playing the theme to the movie ‘Chariots of Fire.’ Now a veteran panist, Provost — and his jazzy presentations on the Trinidad-created instrument — has taken him from his home on the USVI’s St. John island to performance halls in cities around the world.
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Web Posted - Saturday June 4, 2022
AMANDALA

Belize headed to PanoGrama finals

Alexander Evans (Belize) and Shaquille Forbes (Trinidad & Tobago)

Belize City, Belize - Just five countries from a starting total of ten will be represented in the final round of the 2022 PanoGrama steelpan competition, and Belize is among them after panist Alexander Evans earned himself a spot with his performance of “Welcome to Belize” by Leela Vernon. Evans, who is representing Belize for the first time in the virtual competition, will be vying on June 12 for a grand prize worth over US $6,000 alongside skilled panists from Trinidad & Tobago, the USA, France, and Grenada.
see more

Web Posted - Saturday June 4, 2022
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday

Speyside High gets 38 steelpans donated

Speyside High Principal Alson Sylvester, left, and Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, centre, look on as Iran ‘Duce’ Anthony plays a note on one of the pans donated to the school last Friday

Tobago, W.I. - Speyside High School Steel Orchestra received a generous donation of 38 steelpans on Friday courtesy Iran "Duce" Anthony.

The donation was valued at around $130,000 and consisted of 11 tenor pans,18 bases, five cellos and four guitars.

Anthony is well known in the pan fraternity as one of the founders of 1978 Mt Irvine Bucconeers. He later formed his own panside in 2008, Steel Explosion, and placed second in the National Panorama medium conventional bands category.

....Anthony, who makes and tunes his own pans, chose to donate the pans in homage to Rawle Titus who has a legacy at Speyside and has contributed tirelessly to where the band is today.
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Web Posted - Friday June 3, 2022
Antigua Observer

Panorama competition back on Carnival 2022 line-up

Hells Gate Steel Orchestra

Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - The Panorama competition has been reinstated to the 2022 schedule of Carnival events after news broke on the weekend that the staple event had been axed from this summer’s line-up.

Some members of the local steelpan fraternity — including the captain of Gemonites Steel Orchestra, Joseph “Jowato” Henry — were of the view that little effort had been made by the government in attempting to stage Panorama this year, as Carnival festivities return for the first time since the COVID pandemic.

....The reigning Panorama champion is Hells Gate Steel Orchestra who won the competition in 2019 with a Khan Cordice-arrangement of Burning Flames’ ‘Fire Unda Me Foot’.
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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