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
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.
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 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 -  ‘Calasanitus’
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.
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Web Posted - Web Posted - Tuesday March 14, 2023
When Steel Talks

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.
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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
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?”
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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
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.
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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
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).
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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
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.
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Web Posted - Sunday February 26, 2023
When Steel Talks

Complete Summary of Results of all Conventional Steel Orchestras - 2023 Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama

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


Web Posted - Friday February 24, 2023
The Guardian

Steel pan virtuoso Leon Foster Thomas: ‘Some people don’t think it’s a serious instrument’

The Trinidadian jazz ace garnered acclaim for his remarkable solo work, and has joined the 78-year-old steel band that inspired him. Now, his poignant new album is bringing everything back home

Man of steel … Leon Foster Thomas
Man of steel … Leon Foster Thomas

Global - Laventille, high in the hills above Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, may be a poor part of Trinidad but it has historic cultural riches. Chief among them is Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, a name that speaks of a community battling chronic disadvantage. Active since the mid-1940s, the group is known for electrifying performances and the unwavering loyalty of its players. Some sign up for life.

“One of the members just celebrated his 81st birthday, and he’s been in the band since he was a little kid,” Leon Foster Thomas explains.
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Web Posted - Sunday February 19, 2023
When Steel Talks

Panorama 2023 Results - Renegades Steel Orchestra Chalks Up 12th Victory - Duvone Stewart, Arranger - Trinidad & Tobago

Panorama 2023 Results - Renegades Steel Orchestra Chalks Up 
				12<sup>th</sup> Victory

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Renegades Steel Orchestra took its twelfth National Panorama title in 2023, as champion arranger Duvone Stewart led them to victory with his arrangement of Black Stalin’s “Black Man Feeling To Party.” The band now ties Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, which also has twelve titles, for the most number of Panorama championships. The latter was defending its title, but placed ninth this time around.
See full results


Web Posted - Sunday February 19, 2023
When Steel Talks

Panorama 2023 Results - Renegades Steel Orchestra Chalks Up 12th Victory - Duvone Stewart, Arranger - Trinidad & Tobago

Panorama 2023 Results - Renegades Steel Orchestra Chalks Up 
				12<sup>th</sup> Victory

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Renegades Steel Orchestra took its twelfth National Panorama title in 2023, as champion arranger Duvone Stewart led them to victory with his arrangement of Black Stalin’s “Black Man Feeling To Party.” The band now ties Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, which also has twelve titles, for the most number of Panorama championships. The latter was defending its title, but placed ninth this time around.
See full results


Web Posted - Saturday February 18, 2023
When Steel Talks

Panorama 2023 Finals Live Stream - Large Steel Orchestras

2023 Finals - Large Steel Orchestras

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The final thirteen steel orchestras in the Large category of the 2023 Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama compete February 18 for the championship. The venue is the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. The show is expected to be broadcast and live streamed; showtime is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. AST (Atlantic Standard Time).
Go to broadcast


Web Posted - Monday February 13, 2023
When Steel Talks

Panyard vibes, sacred spaces

Conversations with Archbishop J

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Recently, I did a panyard crawl. It was a very rich cultural experience. In conversation with the leadership of Renegades, I heard so many gripping stories.

Colin (Greaves) spoke about a five-year-old who came to learn the pan and was completely overwhelmed by the learning experience. Once the teaching was broken down in manageable bits, that child—a few weeks later—mastered the pan and the tune and was smiling from ear to ear while performing with the junior band.

For Colin, the panyard was a sacred space where children were protected.
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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).
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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
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.
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