Despers USA Steel Orchestra - “DNA” - (‘Cool Down’ version - Video)
Odie Franklin - Arranger
Brooklyn, New York, USA - Basement Recordings captures Despers USA Steel Orchestra as they prepare for the 2024 New York steelband Panorama competition, just one day before the event. Despers USA Steel Orchestra performed an Odie Franklin-arrangement of “DNA.” This is the ‘Cool Down’ version.
Despers USA is one of the oldest steel orchestras in New York. The faces have changed over the years but the core group remains the same. For 2024 veteran panist Kern Simon became captain of the orchestra as they returned with Odie as their arranger. Their Panorama tune of choice: “DNA” by Mical Teja.
In spite of facing the crippling challenge of having
practice sessions in a very hostile environment: "a
community that hates steelpan...wanted us out by any
means"
according to Simon - the group nonetheless performed
a deep thought-provoking rendition of the popular soca tune
for its recording session. Always known for their touch on
the steelpan instrument, Despers USA did justice to the
piece arranged by Odie, himself a master of telling an
expressive story through music.
Despers USA was recorded at its Rockaway Avenue panyard in
Brooklyn, on Friday August 30, one night before Panorama.
The annual New York Panorama is a major highlight of and
precursor to the West Indian American Carnival Day Parade.
Field Photography - WST Pan Photographer
2024 New York Panorama -
get RESULTS
Click below for more Video of 2024 New York Panorama steel orchestras:
TEMPO Videos ** Despers USA -- D’Radoes -- Metro Steel Orchestra -- Pan in Motion -- Philadelphia Pan Stars -- Steel Sensation
COOL DOWN Videos ** Despers USA -- D’Radoes -- Metro Steel Orchestra -- Pan in Motion -- Philadelphia Pan Stars -- Steel Sensation
Despers USA Steel Orchestra at its panyard recording session on
August 30, 2024
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