So
I have spent these last few days
trying to do as much as possible! I
have spent some time out east in
Curepe at Gill's pan shop. I was
able to meet a number of tuners
working there, and was even given a
basic introductory tuning "lesson"
by one of them. I have to say,
having the anatomy of a steel pan
note explained to me, and seeing how
different parts of the surface can
be manipulated in different ways to
affect different things (tuning a
note by striking the surface outside
the note, for instance) makes me all
the more respectful of this
instrument! What an incredible,
complex and beautiful thing pan
is...
Also, though the Roti challenge
is still not decided, I have to give
the Doubles crown to Sauce's in
Curepe! WOW!!! If you have never
experienced these doubles for
yourself, you have no idea what
you're missing! Incredible...
I saw the pan jazz event at Phase
II's panyard, which was a great time
as well. I got to meet Robbie
Joseph, of Pan Podium, Ray Funk, and
a number of other people. There were
also some very excellent players
that took the stage!
I also had the pleasure of
meeting and talking with Salah
Wilson, who has joined the ranks of
Starlift. I have thoroughly enjoyed
talking pan with Salah, who I think
has some great ideas and views on a
number of different areas of pan.
Rehearsals have been longer and
more exhausting this week than they
have in the past (sometimes it feels
like they're the most exhausting
I've had in my life!) I feel the
group has been really coming
together and bonding, working hard,
and I have really been loving every
minute of it! The Original Defosto
Himself came to the yard Thursday
night and delivered an incredibly
powerful and inspiring speech. I
will admit, I am a bit star-struck
by Defosto as well - the man has
written some incredible calypsos (especially
In She Rainorama!)
I finally got a short
introductory lesson on tassa by
Junior, Starlift's drummer. I
definitely want to learn more, but
at least I know what sorts of things
to work on now. Again, Trinidad has
produced a really interesting
musical tradition which I want to
learn and share with the engine room
players back home.
Last but not least, I spent most
of today seeing the Carnival parade
downtown! Moko Jumbies, Midnight
Robbers, Red Indians, Juju Warriors,
Book Man, Dragons, Jab Molassie,
Blue and Red Devils, I saw it all! I
was traveling primarily with Keith
Byer's Diatonic Pan Institute, who
had a pan side playing on a float.
There were many different bands that
passed around the steelband, and
after I left them, I had a great
time seeing all the mas characters
and hearing the incredible music. I
hear a great tassa group, who I
definitely listened to more closely,
having just done my introductory
lesson last night. I also hear
tamboo bamboo, which was very cool
seeing them perform just in front of
a steelband so to illustrate the
evolution of the art form. I met
some of the players in Freelancers,
a pan round the neck quintet with
some interesting instruments, and
whose guitar player uses three
sticks. Again, I can feel Carnival
building up speed... Trinidad has
this buzz of excitement that I feel
everywhere I go!
I don't know when I'll post
again, but I know I will have some
experiences to talk about tomorrow
night! With that said, I need to get
some rest, because tomorrow I go
into musical warfare with Starlift!
It still does not seem real that I
will be performing on the big stage
tomorrow... WOW
Thanks again for everyone who
have been following my posts, good
luck to all the players tomorrow for
finals, and goodnight to everyone!
Dreams of pan are sure to be had
tonight!