Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “Pan in De Sancoche” with twenty-eight bands on display was live at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Trinidad after 4:00 p.m. local (Atlantic Standard Time) time, with a pre-show medley on pan performed by Joshua Regrello, and opening remarks by Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore. A dance presentation accompanied by drumming followed, with the dancers then ushering on stage calypsonian Pharaoh singing the Mighty Terror’s classic “Pan Talent;” three panists also supported his rendition.
Traditional mas characters were next up, then guest artist Metro Stars Single Pan band. They treated the Grand Stand audience to two selections, before making way for the Single Pan band first up in competition, Stardust, a minute or two after five on the sunny and breezy afternoon.
Single Pan Band Shades of Steel taking the stage in position six.
Image: TTT Live screengrab
One after the other the performing bands, including the majorly-female Platinum Steel Orchestra led by arranger Natasha Joseph, flowed on and off the stage. The penultimate Single Pan band, Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service Steel Orchestra with arranger Anderson Douglas dug deep for their Old Time Medley featuring oldies Lorraine, Tempo, Long Time, Black Man Feeling To Party, and Fire Fire.
Platinum Steel Orchestra on stage.
Image: TTT Live screengrab
This segment’s finale began circa 8:00 p.m. with band number fifteen, the Trinidad & Tobago Police Service Steel Orchestra, delivering a daring fifteen-calypso-medley - ‘A Musical Tribute for the People’ put in motion by arranger Kern Sumerville. Asked by TTT (Trinidad and Tobago Television) presenter Ruskin Mark about putting together the piece, Sumerville responded in part “....It wasn’t difficult; honestly...once you have a good team of players who are willing to, I say, work with “my madness” - much, much, appreciation to the players.”
Trinidad & Tobago Police Service Steel Orchestra on stage.
Image: TTT Live screengrab
During Ruskin’s subsequent brief interview with the Pan Trinbago president, she shared her feelings on the event. “....Despite the short time, I really want to commend the bands; they went out of their way, and in two week’s time - pure excellence onstage.” Ramsey-Moore acknowledged issues, but despite those: “....You know what, we have not even given one cent to the bands as yet. From Pan Trinbago’s standpoint, we have not received our allocation as yet. But it’s the resilience of the movement; it’s the resilience of the panman. And they went out there and they played their hearts out. I am so proud. I just can’t express; I have no words.” On the ‘medley’ format presented for this event where multiple songs were played by each band, and moving forward, the president shared: “I think this [format] is setting the stage for what the Single Pan, and the Small band (steel orchestra) events will look like in the future.”
Of note, this large number of Single Pan bands in competition on ‘the Big Stage’ at the Queen’s Park Savannah, is not a common occurrence. In a traditional Panorama season, in years past for the finals, they face off on the same night and at the same venue as the small steel orchestras, preceding the latter on stage.
Alpha Pan Pioneers Steel Orchestra on stage.
Image: TTT Live screengrab
The second half of the show featured the Small conventional steel orchestras. The first, Alpha Pan Pioneers - the lone orchestra from Trinidad’s sister isle Tobago, and not originally listed among the bands selected - got the musical ball rolling around 8:21 p.m., followed by Nu Stars Steel Orchestra. Northolus, originally slated for position one, did not appear. Musical Gems was also added to the appearance roster, surely much to the delight of the players and their supporters.
Roadblock Steel Orchestra on stage.
Image: TTT Live screengrab
By 11:30 p.m. Roadblock Steel Orchestra playing twelfth had opted for the music of the late Lord Kitchener which included Mystery Band, Bee’s Melody, Rainorama and Sugar Bum Bum. With no-nonsense musicians all round, at the core of the band was the Cain family. Eighteen-year-old Dejean Cain was the arranger and part of the line-up with twin Deja Cain at his side. Their dad Martin Cain was next to her, sheer joy etched on his face the entire time, while mom Patrice Charles-Cain was one of the ‘women on the bass.’
Roadblock Steel Orchestra on stage.
Image: TTT Live screengrab
Champion arranger Duvone Stewart was the musical force behind the last band - the T&T Defence Force Steel Orchestra - closing out the evening by 11:50 p.m. A deft music session served as a reminder that the group is primarily a military outfit, and the only marching band steel orchestra in the world, thus showcasing at military tattoos and more, globally.
Not a Panorama, but just a taste of Pan showcasing Single Pan bands and Small conventional steel orchestras vying for titles of Best Performing Band, People’s Choice and Best Flag Waver in their respective categories. It was enough to somewhat slake the musical thirst of pan lovers simply ravenous for the vibes and sound of steel.
After the unwelcome hiatus since Panorama 2020 due to COVID-19, many have eagerly looked forward to Pan on ‘the Big Stage’ once more, and this has been the first move in that direction in two years. The event was live-streamed for the most part by TTT Live, and from the online commentary, to the descriptions by band leaders, arrangers, managers, participants and the like, the steelband music experience afforded by “Pan in De Sancoche,” was much welcomed and savored.
One of the National Pan Events, “Pan in De Sancoche” is part of “A Taste of Carnival 2022.” The second steelband showcase is expected to feature twenty-three medium and sixteen large steel orchestras and is billed as a “Musical Showdown in De Big Yard” on Saturday February 26, also at Carnival City.
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UPDATE: T&T Defence Force Steel Orchestra and World Wide Cop ‘Best Performing Band’ Titles in De Sancoche
