Dejean Cain - Steelband Arranger

Dejean Cain is part of a duo alongside his twin sister, Deja, known as the ‘Pan Twins’ hailing from the beautiful hills of Trou Macaque, Laventille, Dejean began playing steelpan at the tender age of three. Playing steelpan seemed inevitable for him as both their parents also play the instrument. His first major accomplishment alongside his sister, was winning the Movietowne’s Trinbago Kids got Talent in 2013 having performed a skilful rendition on the national instrument. He can be seen performing with Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, Trinity College, Moka Steel Ensemble and family group small conventional band, Roadblock Steel Orchestra.

Dejean is the defending champion in the Pan Soloist Category of the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition, having copped the title two years in a row, and is currently vying for the ‘hat-trick’ at this year’s competition of the programme. He has also won Best Instrumental Solo 2014 and 2016 at the NGC Sanfest Competition.

Dejean is one of the upcoming steelpan soloists in Trinidad and Tobago. He has performed alongside the likes of Dane Gulston, Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe and Duvone Stewart. He is also responsible for doing some of the musical arrangements for the Roadblock Steel Orchestra’s stageside. He was the 2015 recipient of the Performing Arts Award from Newtown Boys’ Roman Catholic School and the Rudoloph Charles Achievement Award at the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra’s 50^th Anniversary Awards Function. He also received the 2017 Council’s Award from the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation in recognition of extraordinary service and dedication.

In 2016, Dejean was part of a West African Tour with the Roadblock Steel Orchestra which featured him and his sister as the headline acts. On the tour, they visited Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria where they performed for the Ooni of Ile Ife in Nigeria (The King (Ooni). The Oòni (or king) of Ife is a descendant of the godking Oduduwa, and is counted first among the Yoruba kings).
Some of his accomplishments alongside his sister 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)

Dejean has been performing accompaniment for Roland “Chucky” Gordon at the Calypso Monarch Competition and other calypsonians at the junior level - Naomi Sinnette, Tshai Corbin and T’zayah O’Connor. On completion of his secondary education, Dejean plans to further his studies in sound engineering and music production. He also plans on becoming a world-class steelband arranger.