Composer and panist Miguel Reyes, who
shares the same hometown with the late Aldwyn Roberts
aka Lord Kitchener is from Arima in east
Trinidad. And like Kitchener, Miguel - the last
son of Elma Reyes - is also deeply involved with the
culture of Trinidad and Tobago. The year 1980 saw
Reyes relocating to Bermuda, and there becoming a member
of a band called The Real Thing managed by
nightclub owner Choy Aming. His involvement with
music became rooted, and has been the mainstay in his
life ever since.
Recognition in his homeland came Miguel’s
way in 2009 when his acclaimed ‘pan tune’
Bandoleros -
vocalized by Tunapuna Scanty - was performed in competition
by steel orchestras at Trinidad & Tobago’s famed national
steelband Panorama. Champion arranger Yohan Popwell
would take Sforzata Steel Orchestra in the medium
conventional bands category to winner’s row with his
arrangement of Reyes’ music - its ‘danceability’ and catchy
delivery by Tunapuna Scanty making Bandoleros
a favorite with young people in pan yards all over.
And international acclaim via New
York was just a few months away when two veteran and
world-renowned steel orchestras
Despers USA and
Sonatas also opted for Bandoleros
as their panorama tune of choice. Once again
Bandoleros would become a champion
selection in the hands of Popwell, as he delivered
yet another winning arrangement, this time with and
performed by New York powerhouse Sonatas.
Miguel Reyes has honed his remarkable
musical acumen through instruction in musical arrangement
and composition under tutelage from recognized educators and
musicians Merle
Albino-de Coteau, Leon “Smooth” Edwards and the late
master musician Clive
Bradley.
Now residing in New York, Miguel is
releasing his first full CD called “Panorama Fest 2010.”
And naturally, with all the content composed, written,
arranged and produced by him.
One of the tracks available on
the CD is Pan Injustice - again
vocalized by Tunapuna Scanty, and marks the fourth
year that the duo is collaborating, as they look
forward to recreating their 2009 success.
Other selections on the CD are
De Last Band and
Flash.
A competent musician, Miguel
Reyes - on his way to being himself a force to be
reckoned with in the music world - is pleased at
Pan Injustice’s debut here for the global
music community.
