Sonatas is the Toast of the Town

Sonatas is a world-class steel orchestra in addition to being a class act.   The current New York steelband music panorama champions are the toast of the North American steelband community.  Anyone who doubts the musical capability of this orchestra is in for a big surprise, or worse - about to get their feelings hurt.

Sonatas did not simply win the 2007 panorama.  They out-worked, out-performed and distanced themselves from a field of competitors consisting of some of the best steel orchestras in North America.  Unless the competition wakes up and change their work habits - Sonatas could be dominating the New York steelband music scene for some time to come (see 2007 results).

Sonatas celebrating on stage as 2007 Champions

New York is an extremely competitive town for steel orchestras.  It's long history and direct ties to the world's greatest steelband organizations coupled with the normal New York "take no prisoners attitude," make for a situation where only the best and most committed will survive.  Sonatas has been around for over thirty years and for most of those years they have been in the upper echelons, and also at the top.  In fact Sonatas is a clinical study in panorama consistency.   Since 1981 Sonatas have not placed in the top three, in any panorama competition, only four times. Remarkably, that is four times in twenty-six panorama entries!  Sonatas also has won more New York panorama championships than anyone else with a total of eight.

It has long been established that Sonatas has the best instruments of New York - maybe North America for that matter.  That is directly attributable to the tuning and manufacturing expertise of the legendary Mr. Bertrand 'Birch' Kellman, unarguably one of the best steelpan tuners ever.  Sonatas' instruments jump out at you in a way that no other does.  Their clarity and tonal quality is superb.

Sonatas Manager Mac Scott

Sonatas is made of some intelligent, young and very talented musicians who are very, very dedicated to their craft.  In addition they are surrounded by some very crafty veterans who bring invaluable experience, discipline and consistency to the mix.  As with any successful organization,  everything revolves around management.  They are a tight -knit unit that is used to, and expects, success. This attitude and directive have been successfully passed on to the players.  The Sonatas' management team of Mac Scott, Selwyn John, captain Sherwin Edwards and others, have developed a winning system that produces one of the best steel orchestras in the world.

Yohan Popwell on stage with Sonatas

The music of Sonatas is currently under the guidance of the very capable arranger Yohan Popwell who has established himself as one of the top young steelband music arrangers anywhere in the world.  Mr. Popwell has created a special rapport with players of Sonatas.  Their performances are energetic, great to watch, sonically pleasing, musically stimulating and executed with precision and musical clarity that the New York steel orchestra community has not experienced in a while.

Look for Sonatas to continue it's winning program.

For more about Sonatas go to www.Sonatas.panonthenet.com 
Contact Sonatas:  voice 1-718-496-5133;