Panorama 2006
and more...
Panorama continues to be one of the major driving
forces in New York pan.
Sound:
Z-

You continue to be the devil that you are. You single-handedly
destroyed another panorama. Unfortunately there are no grades lower
than Z. Check last year for more details
click here
Adjudication: -Pass-
This year's judges had a very
challenging task to perform, in a difficult setting and arena. All
the judges were alert and apparently handled their responsibilities as
designated, as far as we could see.

Judges, alternate judge & related personnel
As we said last year - the judges'
decisions are final and thus are not subject to question. USSA-appointed monitor Mr. Lett, viewed the process.
|
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Robertson,
Popwell, White, Roberts and Elcock |
Arranging:
Changing of the Guard... NY in a State of
Transition
This was a very special year in New York as it
relates to arranging. This was the first year without the presence
of the great Clive Bradley.
Not only was Clive Bradley absent from the scene - so was Pelham
Goddard, Jit Samaroo, Ken "Professor" Philmore and Len "Boogsie" Sharpe
- all of whom are assured their place in the steelband music Hall of Fame for arrangers.
Emerging out of the shadows of the great ones
are names like Arddin Herbert, Yohan Popwell, Keith Roberts, Raf
Robertson, Freddy Harris, III, Andre White and Amrit Samaroo to name a few, to
lead us into a new era of great New York pan music. There
will never be another Bradley but seeds he planted have already
taken root. The next great one is already here.
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New York Steelband
Governing Bodies - Fail
This is clearly a pass/fail situation. New York
steelbands need an entity that can champion their causes
in an ever-increasing difficult operating environment. The current
steelband bodies haven't shown anything even remotely to let us
believe that they are up to the task. However, things can
change but moreover, who steelband managements choose to represent them
- is
their business.
The Bands
-
B
(overall) {Pan in New York is like no other place in the world...}
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ADLIB
Caribbean
Youth Panoramics
CASYM Crossfire Despers
USA
D'Radoes
Harmony
NY
Marsicans Pantonic
Sesame
Flyers
Sonatas
Utopia
Pan Soul; the Next Generation Steel Sensation Women In Steel
Pan Ambassadors
Higher
Levin Black
Love Steel
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ADLIB Long Island's
Finest.

When
Steel Talks said last year that the youths of ADLIB are no
longer satisfied with making a good appearance at the panorama.
This year the organization moved from their Freeport Long Island pan
house to a new location in Uniondale, Long Island. This
was a good move for the organization, as it allowed them to bring
the group outside for panorama practice for the first
time. ADLIB had great aspirations for this year's
panorama. However their efforts were bedeviled by the
sound man. In spite of this ADLIB made great strides
forward. André White emerged as their main arranger for the
future. There is nothing but upward mobility in the future for this
sixteen year-old music phenomenon. Unfortunately the pan
community did not get to hear André properly at his panorama
debut. André is part of that new, young group of talented
New York arrangers. In spite of this year's panorama
disappointment, ADLIB will make their mark on New York's pan music
scene. It was good to see ADLIB appear on the band launch
scene in 2006.
Last 4 Panorama Placings >> 10th | 10th | 10th
| 7th |
For more on ADLIB
click here
Web:
www.ADLIB.panonthenet.com
back to top
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Caribbean Youth
Panoramics (CYP)

CYP put on a passionate performance at the
panorama. CYP's arranger and leader Franklyn Gerald (an
original member of the legendary Desperadoes) showed his respect
and admiration for master arranger Clive Bradley as he guided
CYP through their rendition of "Tribute to Bradley".
CYP is much more than a panorama band.
They are a committed organization with very dedicated
members. CYP was again one of the steelpan instrument's biggest
ambassadors as they again set a new world record for attendance for a
performance by a steel orchestra this year, when they performed
at the prestigious
Mann Center
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Last 4 Panorama Placings >> 11th | 11th | 13th
| 11th For more on Caribbean Youth
Panoramics
click here
Web:
www.CYP.panonthenet.com
back to top
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CASYM 
CASYM
is one of the best steelband organizations in America.
CASYM, led by arranger Arddin Herbert and captain Travis Roberts
came into the season focused and driven. The end results
of their hard work was their capturing of the coveted New York 2006 Steelband
panorama title. CASYM put on a great performance at this
year's panorama competition. Arddin Herbert has not only found his
voice but is now one of the top young steelband music arrangers.
The group took the stage with the competition limit of 100
players this year. This bodes well for CASYM's commitment
to an investment in player development and music education.
CASYM continues to present a working model of
how steelband organizations can be successful in an urban
setting. This year the organization continued to perform
at some of the most prestigious events and places in America.
Last 4 Panorama Placings >> 1st | 4th |
2nd
| 2nd For more on CASYM
click here
Web: www.CASYM.com |
www.Casym.panonthenet.com back to top |
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CrossFire

CrossFire
began the year slow but closed the gap with a late surge.
In spite of a difficult season CrossFire still finds itself
positioned in a place to make a move into the upper New
York steelband domain, with a credible performance in this
year's panorama arena. Brian 'Bean' Griffith returned as
arranger. You've got to love Crossfire. In spite of
their obvious panorama disappointments they were back out for J'Ouvert all smiles and jamming down the road. There
is
life after panorama.
Last 4 Panorama Placings >> 8th | 7th | 5th
| 13th For more on CrossFire
click here
Web:
www.crossfire.panonthenet.com back to top |
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Dem Stars
Dem Stars returned to the panorama competition this year, as one
of the bands who joined the competition arena in 2001. For
2006, Jit Samaroo was initially publicized as the arranger, but
the task was handed over to his son Amrit Samaroo, a capable and
proven arranger in his own right, with at least one championship
title under his belt in the Junior National Panorama arena in
Trinidad and Tobago.
Last 4 Panorama Placings >> 9th | 6th |
6th | 8th |
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Despers USA

Despers USA solidified their relationship with their
arranger Eddie Quarless, now in his second year on the job.
One of New York's veteran steel orchestras with six
championships to their credit, Despers USA continues its
evolution with an influx of younger players, bolstering the
ranks of their experienced musicians. Their 2006 choice of
selection appeared to go down well with their members and
supporters alike. Despers USA's participation in the 2006
round of band launches showcased new material in their
repertoire, delivered with their customary on-point execution. Last 4 Panorama Placings >> 5th | 5th | 8th
| 6th
For more on Despers USA
click here
Web:
www.despers.panonthenet.com
back to top |
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D'Radoes

D'Radoes aka Radoes is the other of the two bands
Master arranger Clive Bradley arranged for in New York.
Like it's younger sibling Pantonic, there was concern about how
the orchestra would respond to the absence of Mr. Bradley.
D'Radoes, primarily made up of veteran players chose noted
Caribbean composer/musician Raf Robertson as their
arranger. Mr. Robertson brought a much-needed
sophisticated musical voice to the New York pan scene.
The Robertson/D'Radoes maiden voyage took
fourth place in this year's panorama. The sound system also
presented unwanted challenges to their on-stage performance.
D'Radoes remains an unpredictable but delightful band that
has the potential to win any panorama it enters.
Last 4 Panorama Placings >> 4th | 2nd | 4th
| 3rd
For more on D'Radoes
click here
Web:
www.radoes.panonthenet.com
back to top
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Harmony

Harmony
continues to steadily improve both in terms of its players and as
an organization. This was indeed a breakout year for the
young organization. Their performances at the Summer
launches were strong and impressive. Harmony's players have now
started to develop their musicianship and performance skills as
their players exude growing confidence. That
confidence clearly transferred into their panorama performance.
For 2006, their leader Mike Joseph and co-arranger Kirk Jardine must take
much of the credit for the musical growth displayed
by the band's young people. The future is very bright for Harmony as
the management remain extremely committed to their players'
development.
Last 4 Panorama Placings >> 8th |
12th | 9th | 12th
For more on Harmony
click here
Web:
www.harmony.panonthenet.com back to top
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New York Marsicans

A
very different year for New York Marsicans, known in 2005
panorama circles simply as 'Marsicans'. Once considered one of
the New York power houses who knocked at the door for the
championship, the organization went through major
management changes since then. The upheaval left the
organization with a much smaller unit for this year's
panorama. The organization decided to go with
in-house arrangers, with band captain Anthony Simpson sharing the
reins with co-arranger Simon Romeo. Look for Marsicans to
regroup and move forward.
Last 4 Panorama Placings >> 12th | 8th | 3rd
| 4th
For more on NY Marsicans
click here
Web:
www.Marsicans.panonthenet.com back to top |
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Pantonic 
Pantonic
was master arranger Clive Bradley's flagship orchestra.
Pantonic is the organization that he held most dear and close to
his heart. This symbiotic relationship produced an era of
classic steelband music and five championships in seven years.
However, for the first time in eight steelband seasons the New
York musical juggernaut entered without Mr. Bradley
- who passed away last November - at the helm. The
arranging baton was passed to Mr. Keith Roberts, the talented
and capable year-round stage side arranger. The sound
system essentially obliterated any chance of the audience
hearing the group's performance. All eyes were on the
organization to see how it would react to the loss of the
'great one' coming into this season. The questions have been
answered. Keith Roberts is up to the task. Pantonic remains the
envy of the New York pan world - taking third place in this
year's panorama with 100 players on stage. Moreover, in
spite of what had to be an extremely emotional and trying season,
Pantonic performed at a high level. The story continues.
Last 4 Panorama Placings >> 3rd | 1st | 12th
| 1st For more on Pantonic
click here
Web: www.Pantonic.com |
www.Pantonic.panonthenet.com
back to top |
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Sesame Flyers

A work in progress that just continues to get
better: moreover, Sesame is quietly closing the gap between them
and the big guns. Arranger Freddy Harris, III has brought a
youthful approach to the arrangers' circle that has the pulse of
Sesame's troops. Sesame's
management is dedicated to the forward progress of the
steelband. The organization has produced it's own DVD of
it's annual Steelband Extravaganza concert. Sesame Flyers
will again be featured on the Basement Recordings-produced
2006 New York Panyard recordings.
Last 4 Panorama Placings >> 6th |
9th | 7th | 15th
For more on Sesame Flyers
click here
Web:
www.sesameflyers.org/steelpan.htm |
www.sesame.panonthenet.com
back to top
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Sonatas
 
Sonatas remains one of the top steel orchestras in America.
Unfortunately, the panorama audience was again not allowed to
hear the full brilliance and superb tonal quality of the
orchestra. Sonatas touts the best steelpan musical
instruments around, and boasts some of the best players in North America;
but their
performance efforts were again stymied by shortcomings of the
sound system. Sonatas took this year's panorama stage with
85 players and placed 2nd in this year's competition.
The group remains well-rounded musically, as
arranger Yohan Powell and management have provided stability and
direction that have allowed the stage side to grow with a varied
and entertaining repertoire. Sonatas will again be featured on
the Basement Recordings-produced
2006 New York Panyard recordings.
Last 4 Panorama Placings >> 2nd | 3rd
| 1st | 4th
For more on Sonatas
click here
Web:
www.sonatas.panonthenet.com back to top |
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Utopia Pan Soul: the Next Generation

Utopia
Pan Soul: The Next Generation continues to evolve and raise the
musical bar. Their approach and sound are unlike any other
steelpan group around. Utopia has matured much. They
clearly understand how to hold an audience. Utopia has
added new players that have meshed seamlessly with its veteran
crew. Utopia's music continues to stretch steelband music boundaries as they put surprising
and thought-provoking spins on classic tunes.
Their commitment to the policy that there is pan life beyond
panorama, has served them well.
For more on Utopia Pan Soul
click here
Web:
www.utopia.panonthenet.com back to top |
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Steel
Sensation

Steel
Sensation is led by Ian Japsi. Their music is arranged
by the talented and accomplished arranger Amrit Samaroo.
Every time one hears Steel Sensation, one is pleasantly
surprised. Steel Sensation is one of the most versatile
groups in the city. The band made some key changes in
personnel without skipping a beat. They put on
an impressive performance at Sonatas' band launch which left the
audience in awe. The musicians of Steel Sensation are
comfortable in any genre, performing with passion, skill, confidence and
professionalism.
For more on Steel
Sensation
click here
Web: www.steelsensation.com back to top |
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Women In Steel

Women In Steel
(WIS) remains a New York staple. The popular and
well-liked group continues to be a major ambassador of the
steelpan instrument - introducing new faces to the
New York steelpan music scene. This year, while the group did not
enter the panorama competition, many of WIS' players performed
with major New York steelbands competing in the event.
The all-women orchestra continues
to be a source of inspiration for women who have their eyes on
entering New York's' pan community.
For more on Women In Steel
click here
Web:
www.womeninsteel.panonthenet.com back to top |
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Pan Ambassadors

Pan
Ambassadors, aka Ambassadors
is another one of the New York groups which refuses to be
defined by panorama, and has chosen to remain outside of the
competition fray for the last few years. However one can
usually find the band performing at summer launches and other
social and community events. Ambassadors did not
disappoint its fans and supporters as the group delivered a wide
variety of musical genres from pop to soca.
For more on Ambassadors
click here
Web:
www.Ambassadors.panonthenet.com back to top |
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Higher Levin

Higher Levin Steel Orchestra are the new kids on the block.
They are led by Tichard Chapman, their arranger and founder.
There is endless potential here. The young people are
focused, driven and talented. Those fortunate enough to
have caught them during the renaming of part of Brooklyn's Church Avenue
to 'Bob Marley Boulevard', and more recently, at the
2006 Pan In The Park event, were treated to great steelpan
performances.
For more on Higher Levin
click here
Web:
back to top |
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Black Love Steel

Black
Love Steel has also injected some new blood into the New York
pan scene but they are not exactly 'new kids on the block.'
Boasting some of New York's veteran steel pan musicians, the
group is the brainchild of, and led by, Brian Nicholas.
Among the members are Nicholas' brother, Knolly better known as
'Nikki' (one of Bradley's 'kids') and full time member of
Pantonic; Alvin Alexander of Despers USA, and Wayne 'Papits'
Baptiste, currently a member of D'Radoes. Together with at
least two other Pantonic regulars, Black Love Steel continues to
gain new fans when they perform. Their appearance earlier
this year at
Utopia Pan Soul's fundraiser was very well received.
The combined experience of these seasoned pan players give them
an edge out of the starting block, even though they are
technically termed a 'new' group.
For more on Black Love
Steel
click here
Web: back to top |
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The Show:
C
{it was a mediocre
production; pan folks' efforts and
talents are not being realized to the max...}
Traditionally the major contributing factor of
this grade comes from the efforts or shortcomings of the promoter.
This year, all parties involved have to take responsibility.
Yes, while ideally one would expect the show's promoters to deliver a
first class event, it is incumbent upon the performing artist to
respect his own art, his own culture, his own investment and supporting audience
enough, to insure that no stone is left unturned to protect, maximize
and deliver his performance. There are no rookies here.
Ultimately it is the pan people's responsibility to protect the
artform and broadcast the steelband panorama music experience in the
best light always, to the world.
Coming into this panorama season there were no
unknowns or uncertainties. It was the "same old, same old".
And that's exactly what we got - "same old, same old". It is no
longer okay for the artist (steelpan performers and supporting crew) to
sit back and point fingers at the association and promoters and accuse
them of incompetence, lacking talent, or being brain dead - be that as it may.
You are responsible for the investment that you have made in the art
form, and yourself.
The original Saturday, September 2 show slated
to begin at 7:00 PM with doors opening at 6:00 PM, was a total washout as
a result of heavy downpour compliments of the remnants of hurricane
Ernesto. The show's promoter, WIADCA, instituted an unprecedented
All Day
Caribbean Festival with the Children's Carnival
starting at 11:00 AM, the Steel Band Panorama Competition
starting at 4:00 PM and culminating with the Dimanche Gras show at
10:00 PM. This meant that there would be three consecutive
shows - in addition to an added bonus for the show attendee
who could now attend the latter two shows for the price of one.
Both the pan community and WIADCA showed
resilience and flexibility as the steelpan community was prodded out
of its normal Saturday evening routine. The earlier Sunday
start time forced the pan community to move up their timetable in
terms of the regular 'night time' competition and mindset.
In spite of the change in program and reduced downtime, the show
began almost on schedule.
The showtime was promoted as 4:00 PM with doors opening at
3:00
PM. This year we noticed that the bands were not wearing their customary
wristbands for entry into the panorama. Instead, they were given
color-coded tickets specific to their respective bands. This created some confusion as it
was impossible for security to tell who were players and who were not
after they turned in their tickets on first entry, and had cause to
go back through the gates to assist in bringing in more racks,
instruments, etc.
The 4:00 PM timeslot was unusual but both performers and
audience adjusted well. By the time band number three took the
stage, the grounds were filled - there was standing room only. ADLIB
- the
first band - was set up on stage at about 4:15 and the last band, D'Radoes, exited
a little after 9:00 PM. The results were announced at 9:47 PM.
Again there was no program for the audience in 2006.
This continues to be a mind-boggling omission. The price of
tickets alone, should guarantee patrons the common courtesy of printed
information on who they are coming to see, order of appearance, etc. Fortunately for a very small few, the people from J'Ouvert City
were thoughtful enough to hand out a sheet with the listing of the
performing bands, and their order of appearance. These were gobbled
up in a couple of minutes by info-hungry panorama attendees.
Have you ever tried to watch a video with bad sound?
It can't be done. The key to any great visual experience is great
audio. The New York panorama is no exception. Panorama is a
musical experience totally dependent upon what you hear.
In spite of all the issues, short comings and problems,
the performance of the bands would have made up for all of this, had the
sound been just bad. Instead we got the worst in recent memory.
This made the show unbearable at times. Here's a joke to remember.
When asked by a miserable and tortured panorama attendee at Sunday's
show -
"why is the sound so bad"? - the sound engineer in the nearby
booth responded. "that [the bad sound]
is a matter
of opinion". The sad and scary thing about this is -
the
sound engineer was right. He was the one who was hired to do the job.
His was the only opinion that mattered - or counted.
If you stayed in the back and watched and listened as the bands warmed
up and drilled, you got the pan show of your life. This is pan at its best.
If you only heard the bands from the stage you were bamboozled, whipped
and tortured.
The ingredients were there for a monster show.
The bands were ready to deliver as always. Well - there is always
next year. Maybe?
Big Ups!!!
Special mention must be made of WIADCA officials
Michael Greaves and Michael Young-Lau who we observed working
non-stop from beginning to end, trying to 'out one fire after the next'.
A reality-TV video about their experiences at panorama would be very
interesting. A special thank you to Mr. Thomas Bailey for
facilitating the media coverage of the event, and bringing calm and
common sense to the table. And thank you to Mr. Randy Babb
for clearing the way. |
Panorama Running Time Clock: A
{The
bands completed their performances in five and half hours} Not as
good as last year but good enough...
- 4:15 PM Sound Check for ADLIB
- 4:27 PM National Anthem performed
- 4:31 PM ADLIB begins
- -:-- PM Dem Stars begins
- 5:32 PM Sonatas begins
- 5:59 PM CrossFire begins
- 6:23 PM Sesame Flyers begins
- 6:58 PM Pantonic begins
- 7:28 PM Despers USA begins
- 7:59 PM Harmony begins
- 8:20 PM Caribbean Youth Panoramic begins
- 8:40 PM New York Marsicans begins
- 9:13 PM CASYM begins
- 9:43 PM Radoes begins
- 10:29 PM Results announced
______________________
6.25 hours total
Media Facilities
Same as Last Year Stage Size
Same as Last Year
Prizes /
Appearance Fees
Same as Last Year but a non-issue -- bands do have choice --
Appearance Fees
Post-Production and Follow Up Same
as Last Year
Access (bands, players, management,
arrangers, fans): B+
[The NY steelpan community is very media savvy and has
a keen understanding of the importance of documenting, promoting and
telling their own story... Indeed it is often said "if it wasn't
documented - did it really happen?"]
Compared to last year, this year was a piece of cake
for When Steel Talks (WST).
Security allowed WST Steelpan Photographers to get
the job done, once WIADCA officials cleared the way. There was no
video taping of the actual panorama allowed. Of course you could
find people violating this rule.
Curiously enough we understand that the steelband
association had issues with WST taking photographs
at the panorama. The reason was never made clear to us. This
is particularly strange since all bands of New York except one had
granted WST written permission allowing customary unprecedented
access, specifically to take photos and gather footage of them, months in advance of the
panorama. WST usually catches heat from the WST family
of steelbands for not capturing enough of their performances, especially
photographs. So
you have to wonder who was the association representing this time?
New York Panorama - 2006
In Pictures click
>>
New York Panorama 2006 In Pictures.
J'Ouvert:
B
The rescheduling of the panorama to Sunday took its toll on
J'Ouvert as steelbands got out of the gates later than usual.
Nevertheless, the bands have to be commended for being able to leave
panorama emotionally and physically spent, and turn around and hit the road
a few hours later for the J'Ouvert celebrations. What happened to all the
out-of-town bands this year?
J'Ouvert - 2006
In Pictures click
>>
J'Ouvert 2006 Pictures In Review
Audience:
A |
Stage Sides:
B |
PR Departments
B
90% of the bands are moving on point. We experienced a
marked improvement in steelbands' PR departments getting promotional and
performance information to WST in a timely manner.
Side Bar
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