Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The final twenty Single Pan bands vying for the championship and first prize purse of TTD $275,000.00 (circa USD $40,758.00) in this category, will lay down their best performances yet on Sunday December 3. There, nineteen challengers will attempt to dethrone title defenders Chord Masters Steel Orchestra. The band has held on to the lead since the preliminaries and aims to remain on top when they take the stage in position four with ‘Doctor Cassandra’ arranged by André White.
San Juan East Side Symphony, Newtown Playboys Steel Symphony, Nostrand Symphony, Metro Stars Steel Orchestra and Trinidad & Tobago Police Service Steel Orchestra are all nipping at the heels, so to speak, of Chord Masters, going into final competition. And then, the other fourteen bands are just as determined to be ‘The One’ in the ears (and eyes) of the judges. Second through fifth prizes in this category are as follows: 2nd -- TTD $225,000.00 (circa USD $33,189.00); 3rd -- TTD $170,00.00 (circa USD $25,076.00); 4th and 5th, each -- TTD $120,000.00 (circa USD $17,700.00).
Event organizers Pan Trinbago have overseen the competition, where the preliminary phase began in sister isle Tobago earlier this month. Judging in respective panyards/communities followed in the next three regions: Northern, Eastern and South/Central. Forty-two single pan bands received scores, with thirty moving on to the semi-finals, where the final grouping was trimmed to twenty, who are guaranteed to continue to thrill steelpan music lovers on final night. Expected start time is 6:00 p.m. AST (Atlantic Standard Time) at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain.
The Order of Appearance for the finalists follows:
Order of Appearance - Single Pan Bands (2023) 2024 - FINALS |
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Order | Band | Tune/ Performer |
Arranger, Tuner, Captain, etal |
#1 | Ice Water Pan Ensemble |
‘Barbara’ Austin “Super Blue” Lyons |
Arranger: Jamal Gibbs Tuner: Sherwin Pierre Captain: Derick Blackman Manager: Marvin Gordon |
#2 | Trinidad & Tobago Fire Service Steel Orchestra |
‘Volcano’ “Red Plastic Bag” |
Arranger: Kern Sumerville Tuner: Sherwin Pierre Captain: Adana Pompey Vice-Captain: Kern Keizer Manager: Christopher Romany |
#3 | D’Brimblers |
‘Shaking It’ Shandileer |
Arranger: Keisha Codrington Tuner: Kaijah Codrington Captain: Leon Ford |
#4 | Chord Masters |
‘Doctor Cassandra’ “Mighty Gabby” |
Arranger: André White Tuner: Desmond “Mappo” Richardson Drill Master: Akua Leith Manager: Richard “Powers” de Coteau |
#5 | San Juan East Side Symphony |
‘Big Belly Man’ “Mac Fingal” |
Arranger: Duvone Stewart Tuner: Mario Joseph Leader: Andre A. Franco |
#6 | Uni Stars |
‘All Aboard’ Atlantik |
Arranger: Kareem Brown Tuner: Andy Neils Leader: Avis Bruce-Brown |
#7 | Nostrand Symphony |
‘Doh Back Back’ “Mighty Sparrow” |
Arranger: Sheldon Peters Tuner: Terrance Sheppard Leader: James Jack |
#8 | Trinidad Nostalgic Steel Orchestra |
‘Volcano’ “Red Plastic Bag” |
Arranger: Amrit Samaroo Tuner: Desmond “Mappo” Richardson |
#9 | Arima All Stars Steel Orchestra |
‘Pan In Danger’ Dennis “Merchant” Williams |
Arranger: Terrance “BJ” Marcelle Tuner: Andy Neils Leader: Mahalia Thomas |
#10 | Trinidad & Tobago Prison Service Steel Orchestra |
‘Chutney Bacchanal’ Chris Garcia |
Arranger: Nathaniel “Crix” Flemming Tuner: Lenard Lera Leader: Darwren Greenidge |
#11 | New Age Trendsetters |
‘Band From Space’ Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung |
Nicholas Joseph & Myles Phillips Tuner: Jason Holder Leader: Myles Phillips |
#12 | Marsicans Steel Orchestra |
‘Suck Meh Soucouyant’ Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung |
Arranger: Marlon White Tuner: Lenard Lera Leaders: Cindy Rosemin & Stephan Gonzales |
#13 | San Juan All Stars Steel Orchestra |
‘Display’ Fay Ann Lyons |
Renaldo De Peiza Tuner: Sherwin Pierre Leader: Afiya Hamit |
#14 | Woodbrook Playboyz Steel Orchestra |
‘Fire Coming Down’ Austin “Superblue” Lyons |
Arrangers: Aquila Pereira & Elijah Beckles Tuner: Bertram “Birch” Kelman Leader: Leroy Grant |
#15 | Trinidad & Tobago Police Service Steel Orchestra |
‘Bacchanal Time’ Austin “Superblue” Lyons |
Arrangers: Kwame Rodriguez & Esan Smith Tuner: Desmond “Mappo” Richardson Leader: Kwame Rodriguez |
#16 | Trinidad East Side Symphony |
‘Woman Is Boss’ Denyse Plummer |
Arrangers: Arslem Campbell & MN Group Tuner: Kayle Noel Leader: Adolphus Guilding |
#17 | Metro Stars Steel Orchestra |
‘If Ah Rude Ah Rude’ Devon George |
Arranger: Kersh Ramsey Tuner: Mario Joseph Leader: Steve Jack |
#18 | La Famille United |
‘On De Road’ Machel Montano |
Arranger: Arddin Herbert Tuner: Mario Joseph Leaders: Joel Whiteman & Coneal Thomas |
#19 | Newtown Playboys Steel Symphony |
‘Pan In ‘A’ Minor’ “Lord Kitchener” |
Arranger: Carlon “Panman” Harewood Tuner: Sherwin Pierre Captain/Leader: Aaron Pereira Manager: Jed Glasgow |
#20 | Platinum Steel Orchestra |
‘My Dulahin’ Barnet “Preacher” Henry |
Arranger: Natasha Joseph Tuner: Juma Simmons Leaders: Khadine Nichols & Lauren Pierre |
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