Web Posted - March
2023
When Steel Talks
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Sisters in Steel - A Tribute To Women In Pan
Global - “Their Story, Their Voice, Their Life, Their Dreams, Their
Passion - PAN”
It’s March and that means this is Women’s Month. It is the
month when we celebrate the contributions of women to the world.
Normally - as is the When Steel Talks tradition - we highlight
the month through a series of articles and interviews with the
female movers, shakers, and up-and-coming stars.
Meet these
Sisters In Steel!
Web Posted -
Friday March 31, 2023
ONU.edu
Striking the Happy Notes - ONU Steel Band finds its groove
Ohio, USA - When you hear
the strains of a steel drum band, you’re instantly transported
to a happier place and relaxed state of being.
....Waters is the director of Ohio Northern University’s Steel Band.
Since she started the ensemble 17 years ago, it’s found its groove,
spreading its cheery music throughout the region.
....ONU alumnus, Jeff Martin, BM ’13, centered his entire career on pan
music after playing in the ONU Steel Band. Martin is now in his 10th year as
the steel band director at Clark Montessori High School in Cincinnati Public
Schools, teaching pan performance to students in grades 7 through 12.
“Only a handful of school districts in the country have a steel band
program like the one at Clark,” he says, “so I count myself very lucky to be
able to do this full time.”
See
more
Web Posted - Friday March 31, 2023
When Steel Talks - Reboot
The Strength of A Woman - Anna Raffoul -
Dominica - Revisited
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Anna Raffoul
Dominica, W.I. - Armed with a
dream and a vision of what could, should and must be, Ms.
Anna-Maria Raffoul showed the world again that great things can
happen if you are committed and surrounded with a supportive
team who believes your vision. Indeed, big things can be spawned
from little but a concept and a will to succeed.
....Speak to anyone who has interacted with her or knows her and
you will hear “Did you speak to Anna? Anna will know.” She is
viewed by others as a master problem-solver who they can lean on
and depend on. She commands their respect without trying, and
her infectious enthusiasm endears her to those who work with
her. The young people adore her, women admire her and men
respect her.
See more
Web Posted -
Thursday
March 30, 2023
The Weekly Packet
Pan players express concern over park schedule
Master scheduling
Maine, USA - ....In other
business, Katherine O’Dell and Susan Brookman of the local steel
drum organization Flash in the Pans expressed concern to the
select board about the group’s planned use of the town park over
the summer. Recently, they said, there has been some trouble
with double-booking of public spaces for events.
....“We need to exercise something between control and
discipline of the town’s public spaces,” said select board
member Scott Miller.
See
more
Web Posted - Wednesday March
29, 2023
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Remembering Rudolph Charles
RAISING LAVENTILLE: THE DOC and THE HAMMER GO TO WORK
by Dalton Narine
Global - A PM and a steelband
legend build an alliance to benefit pan and a community:
Rudolph Charles – The Hammer himself, the headstrong leader of
Desperadoes on Laventille hill. He migrated there to be
with family, but the development of pan had always been his
fire. The Carnival over, he’d be in chilly LA engaging himself
in various aspects of the art – tuning, inventing, metallurgy
(the technique of working with metals) and forming relationships
with drum factories.
See more
Web Posted - Wednesday March
29, 2023
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Rudolph Charles - Thirty-Eight Years Later, Steelband Leader
Still Exceptional
Global - In a few days - March 29th, to be exact - it will be
thirty-five years since the death of one of the most influential
figures in the history of the steelpan movement. Rudolph
Valentino Charles was one of the finest leaders, innovators and
visionaries ever produced by the twin island republic of
Trinidad and Tobago. His ideas, concepts and products still
reverberate in steelpan music communities globally today, both
in terms of his inventions and the people he influences and
motivates. Moreover, his thought process and vision went way
past the steelpan art form.
See more
Web Posted - Wednesday March
29, 2023
When Steel Talks - Reboot
The Baddest Desperado, so Rudolph Charles remains...
by Dalton Narine
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
Thirty-five years ago, Laventille’s Rudolph Charles
shuffled off this mortal coil and went out in style - a glam
funeral service, his soul encased in the Chariot pans he
invented and three religions vying for meager props at his rites
on the banks of the Caroni - as an age of innocence was nearing
its own death.
Fascinating that, as an uncommon man, he bore the weight of the
absolute trilogy of personalities, the father son and holy
ghost, and that he lived and died on a hill:
Rudolph Charles
The Hammer...
To this day, with his refinement as a leader in the bag, his
skills as a pan tuner conclusive and his community service
making a palpable difference, Rudolph’s eternal truth
overmatches the music he made in both the classical and Panorama
festivals. Driving Desperadoes’ heavenly sound and pushing his
legacy to the extent of Hollywood’s old-time icons, in whose
glamour he bathed in the rotten pits of local theaters.
See more
Web Posted - Monday
March 27, 2023
When Steel Talks - Reboot
New York’s Steel Orchestras come
together to showcase their WOMEN OF STEEL! - Revisited
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
New York, USA - With full
support from their male counterparts and in an unprecedented
spirit of business cooperation, sisterhood, and “pan
fraternity,” the New York Pan world came together to feature
their women, fully cognizant of their marketing and advertising
value in today’s business and entertainment scene.
See more
Web Posted -
Sunday
March 26, 2023
When Steel Talks
Antiguan Touch Down: A Caribbean Love Story In Pan
by Sharmain Baboolal
Khan Cordice
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
“He is such a good man, everything about him reminds me of Pat
Bishop. He has the ability to take anybody’s music and shape it
properly.” It’s a commendation rightfully earned by Khan
Cordice, after his first stint as a drill master for Exodus
Steel Orchestra, when working with “BJ” Marcelle’s arrangement
of ‘Tourist Leggo’ brought the Tunapuna band back into the top
three as they notched 280 points to place second in Panorama
2023...
See
more
Web Posted -
Wednesday March 22, 2023
When Steel Talks
Meet Brenda Hosang - Florida, USA
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Brenda Hosang
Florida, USA - “When
I lived in Trinidad, in my eyes the steelpan was just a form of
entertainment. I listened to Panorama on radio, I loved the
music festival - on radio. In New York there was a program to
promote the culture of your country and I got into supporting
anything that came out of Trinidad & Tobago. My passion
increases daily because I believe I missed out on a lot when I
was younger.” -- Brenda Hosang
Brenda Hosang is a supporter of all things pan in South Florida.
In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - steelpan music
enthusiast Brenda Hosang shares her experiences, views,
reflections and dreams on Pan, and the steelpan art form
overall.
See more
Web Posted -
Thursday
March 16, 2023
My Lloydminster Now
Steel pan in focus at Jack Kemp multicultural day
Danielle George (third from left) - of
‘All Things Pan’ shares her knowledge of the steel pan with grade fives at Jack Kemp school
Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada - A
Caribbean music vibe filled the gym at Jack Kemp school on
Thursday as grade fives got some hands on learning to play the
steel pan from Trinidad and Tobago.
....Danielle George of ‘All Things Pan’ is based in Edmonton.
She has been sharing the steel pan workshops with schools in the
Edmonton area. Her heritage is from Trinidad and Tobago, the
country that gifted the steel pan or drum to the world.
See
more
Web Posted -
Wednesday
March 15, 2023
Broadway World
Leon Foster Thomas Releases Uplifting New Album ‘Calasanitus’
March 2023 marks the release of Calasanitus, the new
album by Leon Foster Thomas
Leon Foster Thomas
Global - March 2023 marks the
release of Calasanitus, the new album by
Leon Foster Thomas.
As one of the leading steel pan jazz virtuosos in the world,
Foster has gained global recognition via a plethora of accolades
including winning both the solo and duet competitions at the
World Steelband Music Festival, as well as releasing a series of
critically acclaimed albums, most recently Metamorphosis on
respected label Ropadope Records.
See
more
Web Posted - Web Posted -
Tuesday
March 14, 2023
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Remembering An Original Panman - Ralph Davis
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
What if we could take you back to the beginnings of the pan
movement, and have you relive the experience as if you were
actually there? Hear about the iron fist of the legendary
Rudolph Charles, and laugh about, yet listen in wonder to what
people did for the love of the mighty Pan Instrument? Then, meet
Ralph Davis (RD)!
....Of Rudolph Charles, Davis describes him as the then-“George
Steinbrenner of Pan” in that he hated to lose, wanted to be the
best, and when to any and all lengths to secure and recruit the
best players, arrangers and tuners in Trinidad and Tobago -
solely for Desperadoes.
See
more
Web Posted - Web Posted -
Monday
March 13, 2023
When Steel Talks
Panorama Re engineered: It Is Now A Hustler’s Paradise
by Sharmain Baboolal
Dennis “Charlie” Phillip, founding member of
birdsong Steel Orchestra
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
....“One young player boasted to me that he called a price of
$7,000 to play for a Tobago band, which did not factor in the
cost of transport to the island as well as accommodation and
meals....
....“If you approach any young person under the age of 22 years, they ask
one question; how much are you paying? That’s the mentality that is now
haunting every steelband,” he said.
....“Perhaps the most damning thing I have heard over the season was a
young player saying, “I don’t want to be a musician, I am a panman.” There
are people playing for 15 bands and can’t tell you who is the arranger or
what is the name of the song. Can they really play music?”
See
more
Web Posted - Friday
March 3, 2023
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
Arranger: Pan must be taught in all schools
Champions: Ace arrangers (from left) Kersh
Ramsey, Duvone Stewart and Ojay Richards were
honoured at a THA function on Thursday at Shaw
Park Cultural Complex
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
Ace arranger, panist and composer
Duvone Stewart says steelpan must be taught in all
schools as part of the curriculum.
He was speaking on Thursday night during a function, titled Pantastic, at
Tobago’s Shaw Park Cultural Complex.
The event, organised by the THA [Tobago House of Assembly], celebrated
Stewart’s achievements and those of fellow Tobago-born arrangers
Kersh Ramsey
and
Ojay Richards during the Carnival season.
See more
Web Posted - Web Posted -
Thursday
March 2, 2023
When Steel Talks
Anthems on Steelpan at Birthday Reception for Japanese
Emperor
Japanese artists Ms. Yuri Kodera and Ms. Sayori
Imai who performed at the birthday reception
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
A reception to celebrate the Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor
of Japan was hosted by His Excellency Matsubara Yutaka,
Ambassador of Japan and Mrs. Matsubara at their residence, with
over 200 guests in attendance.
....The reception began with the National Anthem of Trinidad and
Tobago, performed on the steelpan by students of the University
of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT).
See
more
Web Posted -
Thursday
March 2, 2023
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
Ramsey-Moore reports increased revenue from Panorama in 2023
From left, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the
Arts Randall Mitchell and PanTrinbago president
Beverley Ramsey-Moore, with Myles Phillips of
Tropical Angel Harps (
Under
21/Non-School winner), Edmund Willis of BP
Renegades (
Large bands winner
) and National Carnival Commission
CEO Nigel Williams on right, at the 2023
Panorama prize giving ceremony at the Queen’s
Park Savannah VIP Lounge on Thursday
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
Pan Trinbago
president
Beverley Ramsey-Moore
says the pan body has seen a significant increase in revenue
from Panorama
2023.
She made the statement at the prize-giving ceremony for the pan winners
held at VIP Lounge at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, on Thursday.
Asked to further quantify the increase, Ramsey-Moore said from the
reconciliation being done at this time, the body has already seen an
increase in revenue of over $1 million.
See more
Web Posted
When Steel Talks
Complete Summary of Results of all Conventional Steel
Orchestras - 2023 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 2023 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
When Steel Talks
2023 Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband Panorama Info - Complete
Global
- PanOnTheNet/ WhenSteelTalks is Panorama
Central! Complete information on the 2023 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
When Steel Talks
Facebook got it wrong - Meta World and WST & SteelPan Are
Friends Again
Facebook “Likes” sends PanOnTheNet Apology - “We got it
wrong”
Metaverse - Facebook got it
wrong. About three years ago without warning or reason all WST
(When Steel Talks) steelpan-related accounts fell out of favor
with the social media giant Facebook now known as Meta and its
aligned consortiums (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp). Because
WST has all of our material hosted on our own shared servers,
this ‘tag’ was not incurable or as problematic as it could have
been. However, it was annoying to have people seeking critical
steelpan music info diverted by Facebook AI (artificial
intelligence).
see more
Web Posted
When Steel Talks
Technology Giant “Google” Celebrates the steelpan instrument via Google
Doodle
Celebrating Steelpan - Illustration by artist Nicholas Huggins
Doodle of steelpan instrument ‘live’ on Google’s web site
Global - On Tuesday July 26, 2022 the
steelpan instrument of Trinidad and Tobago is featured and celebrated on the
site of technology giant “Google” via the famed Google ‘Doodle.’ The ‘Doodle’
is essentially an illustrative change made to the Google corporate logo “to
celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers,
and scientists” - and more. The doodle is then seen by users all around the
world who access Google’s homepage on that day, and is available thereafter
in the doodle archives.
....Trinidad and Tobago-based artist Nicholas Huggins is the creator of the
illustrative artwork featured in the doodle, while Etienne Charles is the composer
of the accompanying music performed by the legendary steelpan icon Len “Boogsie”
Sharpe.
see more
