‘De Pan Yard’

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. 

Currently residing in New York, about two years ago Miguel released his first full CD called “Panorama Fest 2010.”  Naturally, all the content was composed, written, arranged and produced by him.  Two of the tracks were Pan Injustice and  De Last Band.

A competent musician, Miguel Reyes once again brings forth music, and for the 2013 Panorama season unveils De Pan Yard, featured here.

Bio by C. Phillips

Vincent “Groovy D” Kennedy is of Trinbagonian and Vincentian parentage.  He has been active in calypso circles for many years, but is rather reclusive.

He has entered the St. Vincent & The Grenadines calypso monarch competition on many occasions, and also competed in the New York calypso arena in annually–organized events by the Sesame Flyers cultural organization.

Colleague Miguel Reyes undertakes all his recordings at Kennedy’s Brooklyn, New York studio.  But even though the duo has known and worked with each other for many years, this is the first time “Groovy D” (Kennedy) himself is vocalizing Reyes’ music.  And for the Panorama 2013 season, he’s well ‘on track’ with De Pan Yard.

Bio by C. Phillips