Meet Dejean Cain of Trinidad & Tobago - Steelpan Performing Artist

Dejean Cain participated in ‘PanoGrama 2021’ and placed second in the final.  His instrument was made by Juma Jackman and tuned by Augustus Peters.

DEJEAN CAIN is a young aspiring musician whose main focus in the steelpan art form is in arranging, performing and composing. He is part of a duo alongside his twin sister, Deja, known as the ‘Pan Twins’ representing Trinidad and Tobago. Dejean’s first encounter with the steelpan was as early as a couple of months old when he could grip a pan stick; however he began playing steelpan when he was three years old. His first major accomplishment alongside his sister, was winning the Movietowne’s ‘Trinbago Kids got Talent’ in 2013.

Dejean is currently the defending champion in the Pan Soloist Category of the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition, having copped the title four years in a row. He has also won Best Instrumental Solo 2014 and 2016 at the NGC Sanfest Competition. Dejean is responsible for the musical arrangements for the Roadblock Steel Orchestra’s stageside and also for the Panorama Competition in the small conventional category. He is in receipt of many awards in recognition of his extraordinary talent and dedication.

In 2016, Dejean was part of a West African Tour with the Roadblock Steel Orchestra that features him and his sister as the headline acts. On the tour, they visited countries Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.

Dejean additionally performs with Desperadoes Steel Orchestra. He has also performed accompaniment at both the Junior and Senior Calypso Monarch Finals.

Some of his accomplishments also include:-

• 1^st place at the Love City Promotions and Co. Talent show (2013)
• 1^st place at the Southern Marines Talent Expression (2016)
• 1^st place at Tornadoes Steel Orchestra Talent Show (2016)
• 1^st place at Panroake (2017)
• 2^nd place at Panroake (2018)
• 3^rd place at T & T Music Festival 2018 (Improvisation on Steelpan Open)
• 3^rd place at T & T Music Festival 2018 (Steelpan Solo 11-15)

Currently, Dejean is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts with a specialization in Music at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.

Bio provided to When Steel Talks by:  D. CAIN