Steelpan Music News - History and Culture

  Pride of Nationhood: Declaration of the Republic and Installation of the President of Barbados Fireworks peppered the sky at midnight as Barbados officially became a republic, with screens set up across the island so people could watch the event that featured an orchestra with more than 100 steel pan players and numerous artists. It was also broadcast online, prompting a flurry of excited messages from Bajans living in the U.S., Canada and beyond. -- USA Today Several artists, including Barbados’ 100-plus-player National Youth Steel Orchestra, performed as part of the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony events to mark the birth of the new republic of Barbados on November 29, 2021.  The song “This is who we are” arranged by Mark Forde, was just one of several performed by the steel orchestra, under the musical direction of Lowrey Leon.  See more & watch video

  Happy Birthday to Keishaun Justin Julien November 29 When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to  panist & arranger Keishaun Justin Julien Keishaun Justin Julien “Being able to travel and share my talent with the world is one of the greatest joys of being a musician. It hasn’t been easy because I have been faced with negativity from persons in society at first. However, it all comes to you believing in your dream and taking advantage of opportunities when presented. God gave you your vision, he didn’t give it to anyone else. Therefore, you ought to take responsibility for your destiny as there is a world of endless possibilities. Don’t give up!” ––  Keishaun Julien Related content Meet Keishaun Julien - Digital Music Marketing Entrepreneur, Recording Artist, Educator, Arranger, Panist Keishaun Julien - arranger bio

  By Serina Sandhu Transitioning into a republic is a significant moment in a nation’s history. But as Barbados prepares to officially remove the Queen as head of state and elects its first Barbadian president, the buzz appears somewhat muted. Roads have been closed off around the centre of Bridgetown as the capital city prepares to mark the transition with an official ceremony at midnight on Monday. Decorations in the national colours of blue and yellow waft in the evening breeze while a steelpan band rehearses in the centre. Despite the preparations to usher in their new future, Barbadians’ feeling that this moment is long overdue appears to overshadow their excitement... See more 

      Happy Birthday to Triston Marcano November 25 When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to  panist & arranger Triston Marcano Triston Marcano “ He has taught basic music and steelpan performance to children in T&T and in the Caribbean region, particularly in the island of Saint Maarten. It was there he had the opportunity to work under Isidore York aka Mighty Dow, IRAWMA Hall of Famer and knighted under the Order of the Orange Nassau (Dutch Kingdom). In 2013, he also had the opportunity of being on two major projects; being part of the Siparia Deltones steel-band for the recording of the album  "From Siparia to Soweto" with South African legend, Hugh Masekela. Also, he appeared in the movie PAN! Our Music Odyssey, and did lead playing a solo for the song "Rum and Coca Cola" for the vintage recordings of the soundtrack. For the movie, he worked among Ray Holman, and Andy Narell” Related content Meet Triston Marcano - Trinidad & Tobago

  New York Times: remembers the late great Clive Bradley NY Times National Edition -  "Clive Bradley, whose arrangements for steel-drum orchestras in Trinidad and New York City won championships from 1970 to 2005, died on Saturday in Port of Spain, Trinidad. He was 69.. ..Mr. Bradley was one of the most skillful and admired practitioners of a longstanding Carnival tradition. Steel bands, also known as pan bands, compete each year, performing concert versions of soca and calypso songs. The arrangements are elaborate suites of variations and are played in Trinidad by orchestras of 100 musicians or more; Brooklyn bands are somewhat smaller... "  -- Jon Pareles See complete article

Having read the article titled "N.C.C. Board is Back" on page 19 of the Express of 25th November 2021 and as a person who served as Chairman of the Northern Region Pan Trinbago for two terms (2012-2018) and recently resigned from the Central Executive as the Treasurer Elect, I must express my utter disgust at the contents of that article, in particular, the re-appointment of Beverley Ramsey-Moore to NCC's Board as a commissioner representing Pan Trinbago. There is a convention and indeed the precedent has been set that the Presidents Elect of the Carnival interest groups, namely Pan, Mas and Calypso, serve on NCC's Board as Commissioners. Currently, Pan Trinbago has no constitutionally sitting Central Executive and therefore no sitting President since our constitutionally prescribed elections were illegally postponed indefinitely by our last President Beverley Ramsey-Moore. Pan Trinbago's Constitution states: The members of the Central Executive SHALL hold office

  LoopTT Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has announced that once all goes well closer to Carnival time, partiers could be able to enjoy Safe Zone fetes and other Carnival-related events. The PM made the announcement during an address to the nation on Thursday. In what is the first mention of a Carnival plan, Dr Rowley said that strict protocols will be in place should the government decide to officially go this route. Carnival Monday and Tuesday will be observed on February 28 and March 1, 2022, however, at this time, the PM says there will be no parade of the bands. See more

  When Steel Talks When Giants Salute and Titans Bow Global -   16 years after the passing of Master Arranger Clive Bradley - his music is still mentoring, still inspiring, still educating and entertaining. And It indeed remains enrichment for the soul. . Revealing the Genius of Clive Bradley “Bradley is the greatest steelband arranger that ever passed through in our time - he was a boss!” -Len “Boogsie” Sharpe “A great musician. A great loss to the pan world for sure. There is only one Clive Bradley. There is no one who does a panorama tune like Clive Bradley. He has his style which was very effective. He looked at a song and lyrics and used that. The guy is genius. He’s a top-of-the-line musician.” - Jit Samaroo “Sir Bradley indeed did make his contribution to the steelband movement....a very valuable one indeed..!! A lot of arrangers who started after him (including myself), benefited tremendously from the high standards that he set for us.... May his soul rest in peace....!” - Leon

His greatest passion in life was that of a Mas Band Producer. He is known in Trinidad as well as in the Caribbean community for his lifetime contribution to the Trinidad Carnival and the Toronto Carnival (formerly known as Caribana) of which he served as the Parade Chairperson. His involvement in "Masquerade" or "Mas" created many "firsts" for which he shall always be remembered in both Carnival communities. The greatest story is his portrayal of Gullivers Travels in 1963, where he produced a giant Gulliver with the life-sized masqueraders as the Lilliputs. This attributed to his win of "Band of the Year" and "People's Choice Award" in 1963 and made history for the Silver Stars Steel Orchestra as the first Steelband to ever earn this coveted title. Two of the costumes from his 1979 Caribana win as Band of the Year were obtained and are on display by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. The costumes were on display during

  By Guardian Media Newsroom -November 23, 2021 A T&T flag is flown above revellers exiting the stage after crossing with the Dutty Pleasures J’Ouvert band, as part of the 2021 official J’Ouvert celebrations held at the Miami Dade Country Fairgrounds in Florida last month. With approximately three months left to the calendar date for Carnival 2022, one Miami Carnival official suggested that T&T makes a firm decision now on whether the event will happen or not. Sydney Roberts, the vice president of Miami-Broward One Carnival Committee, said indecision is bad for business. “Ah wonder if to do it or not that is the worst thing that you can do to any event, football, cricket you name it, reason being is that what you throw out there is what people going to eat…stop put anything out there that it might happen,” Roberts said. See more

  Renowned educator and artist Dr. Dawn Batson speaks on the impact of Clive Bradley Clive Bradley Florida  - Since news of Clive Bradley’s death Sparrow’s calypso “Memories” has been looping continuously through my brain. In the pan world we often pay great homage to competition and competition winners sometimes neglecting and underrating truly beautiful music because it was not in the winner’s row. Bradley however, inside and outside of competition, was able to capture the beauty of the instruments of the steel orchestra and the essence of its players. Simplicity was the message of his music. Clear effective phrasing and well chosen and placed harmonies added to rather than detracted from his musical paintings. In his music you hear clear conversations between the instrumental sections, as in a drum circle, each section contributing to the dialogue and given the chance to speak clearly. The voice too he utilized in his arrangements, incorporating it part and parcel creating works tha

  Happy Birthday to Shenelle Abraham-Ndiaye November 24 When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to  panist, arranger & educator  Shenelle Abraham “ During my tenure at Florida Memorial University, I studied under Dr. Dawn Batson-Borel. I played in the Florida Memorial Steelband, the Jazz Band and the Ambassador Chorale. I even played the violin for a few semesters. I was selected as one of the four panists to accompany international superstar Ludacris at the MTV Video Music Awards in his performance for the award show. “At Florida Memorial University, I got a B.A. in Music and B.S. in Mathematics and graduated with honors (summa cum laude) and had the highest G.P.A. in my graduating class. ”  Related content Meet Shenelle Abraham - Trinidad & Tobago A Special Place, A Special Moment - St. Margaret’s Boys’ Steel Orchestra at Carnegie Hall

  Clive Bradley New York  - In Julius Caesar, Shakespeare wrote of the Roman warrior “The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.”  So let it  not  be with  Clive Bradley .   I implore us all to remember the music that Bradley provided for us, the lion’s share of which was played on the pan. Clive Bradley was renowned in the pan community for his arrangements for the likes of Pandemonium  and Nutones, but he is mostly associated with the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra.   Somehow Bradley was able to capture musically the pulse of the people of Laventille Hill and communicate the essence of the people to the audience.  The audiences were invariably moved, as evidently were the judges. see more

Dear family and friends, colleagues and clients, Pan musicians around the globe... I’ve done something Composer, Music teacher, Recording Artist, Panness, now published author. Yep, me! I've produced my own book, well 4 of them!! Not just for the Tenor Pan but for all. It's been a life long dream that has finally come true. SO grateful for the opportunity and so excited to share with you all and players of all abilities The “Learn Music On...” series by me, Delphina James! You know my belief, Steel Pan is an instrument like any other and this series of books will support and encourage your playing to grow from learner to band member. They will be available on paperback SOON from Amazon and Waterstones. Message me or DM me for more information. There will be an opportunity to get your book or books signed for when we meet in person... very soon. Thanks for the love and support Peace. Love. Pan. Del See more Relevant content  Meet Delphina James of the United Kingdom

  Renowned musician Frankie McIntosh speaks on Clive Bradley Clive Bradley New York  - My first meeting with Clive Bradley was at Platinum Factory recording studio (Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY) in the early 1980s. He was working there as arranger on a Lord Nelson project for producer Rawlston Charles. As Clive reviewed the arrangements at the piano, it didn't take a sleuth to detect that the man had 'chops'.* In subsequent years we occasionally exchanged opinions on the state of Calypso. Clive was fairly accurate at predicting whether a newly released song would be a hit, as with Swallow's Pepper Sauce and Explainer's Lorraine. "They want to wine" he often remarked with reference to the Soca audience. Several fans, including this writer, believe that Clive Bradley's success as an arranger for steel orchestra has (unfortunately) eclipsed his arranging work for conventional Calypso band. The ability to wear both hats well, and at once, was evidenced in 1

  Happy Birthday to Dr. Bowie Sonnie Bowei of Nigeria November 23 When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to  panist & arranger Bowie Sonnie Bowei Dr. Bowie Sonnie Bowei “ At first, it was the uniqueness of the instrument and the positive reactions on the faces of people who listen to pan for the first time. Now, it is the joy that it brings to families who have children that play the pan. Pan has created opportunities for children to travel out of Nigeria for the first time. It has given them the opportunity to travel by planes for the first time. It has given them the opportunity to meet with people from other countries for the first time. The joy and fulfillment this brings to the children and their families boosts my passion for pan. ”  Related content Meet Bowie Sonnie Bowei - Nigeria

    Happy Birthday to Kersh Ramsey November 23 When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to  panist & arranger Kersh Ramsey Kersh Ramsey “ Culturally matured and socialized within the small picturesque fishing village of Black Rock, Tobago, I, Kersh Darion Ramsey, can be recognized as a young pan sensation, and drummer. Summarizing oneself is never a simple task, especially taking into account, the varying talents in which one aspires. Modestly acknowledging my skills, I see myself as a seed continuously growing each day and gaining tremendous experience which enables me to strengthen and prepare for the task ahead ”  Related content Meet Kersh Ramsey - Trinidad & Tobago

Picture by Chrome Furnishers Limited Akira Iino Akira Iino  from Japan has created a new guitar pan with diamond shapes indented into the skirt of the drum produced by Nittetsu Drum. Relevant content  Meet Akira Iino - Musician, Panist, Bandleader & Creator of the Diamond Cut Steel Pan - UpClose! The diamond-cut drum preceding the final guitar pan instrument 

  Photo Journalist Robbie Joseph Speaks on Clive Bradley Clive Bradley,at NY Panorama 2000 United Kingdom -  The following is a lasting memory I have of the greatness of Clyde and his captivating music. This episode of my life is often relived when his music is played. In 1998, Clive Bradley musically directed Nutones Steel Orchestra to capture the coveted title of National Panorama Champs with his captivating arrangement of David Rudder’s ‘High Mas’. In 1999, he returned ‘up de hill’ to his old haunt, Desperadoes. Initially there were mixed feelings of using Bradley’s musical talents instead of Robbie Greenidge’s but he soon changed that with his musicality. WITCO Desperadoes won the 1999 North Zonal Finals amassing a convincing 460 points with their nearest rival, Phase 11 Pan Groove, trailing by 17 points. Phase 11 continued to trail Despers in the National semi-finals but narrowed their lead to 15 points. See more

Happy Birthday to Akira Iino November 21 When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to  panist Akira Iino Akira Iino Akira Iino  from Japan has created a new guitar pan with diamond shapes indented into the skirt of the drum produced by Nittetsu Drum. Relevant content  Meet Akira Iino - Musician, Panist, Bandleader & Creator of the Diamond Cut Steel Pan - UpClose! The diamond-cut drum preceding the final guitar pan instrument  Picture by Chrome Furnishers Limited

  Happy Birthday to Gayle Wilmot November 21 When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to  panist Gayle Wilmot Gayle Wilmot “....Having been around the Caribana festival in Toronto for years, I thought I knew a bit of the culture and art form. But there is nothing like actually trying to master the instrument, with all of the language and conventions that go along with it, to truly understand the steel pan culture. It has a unique, very energetic, loving and connected community.” Related content  Meet Gayle Wilmot - Toronto, Canada

  Despers USA performs an Odie Franklin arrangement of the classic Clive Bradley's "Ah Goin An Party Tonight " at 2015 'The Arrangers' concert.

  Happy Birthday to Sheleen Baynes November 21 When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to  panist Sheleen Baynes “What keeps my passion for the instrument and art form going, is having people walk up to me and express their appreciation for my skills of playing the instrument, having kids wanting to be like me some day and competing, and making my community, family and friends and sponsors proud.”  Related content Meet Sheleen Baynes - Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad's WITCO Desperadoes Steel Orchestra performing Toto's "Africa", arr. for the steel drums, from their 1994 album "The Jammer". Arranger Robert Greenidge (1981 bomb tune)

  Clive Bradley Remembered:  ELLA ANDALL Notables of the performing arts talk about the late great Caribbean musician Clive Bradley Global - “...There is only one Clive Bradley who gave us exceptional music. Clive is my friend... He was a very sharing man and a very private man. It is a great, great loss. I have lost my friend... for me he used to create magic... ” –– Ella Andall - noted international performing artist See more

  The  The Humboldt State University Calypso Band has been part of HSU for more than three decades under the direction of its founder, Eugene Novotney. (Ryan Blake photo) “The Comeback Concert” — featuring contemporary music for percussion performed by the Humboldt State University Percussion Ensemble, the rhythms of the Afro-Cuban tradition performed by the HSU World Percussion Group and the festive steel drum sounds of the Caribbean performed by the Humboldt State Calypso Band — will take place Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus. These ensembles, directed by Eugene Novotney and Howard Kaufman, will be presenting their first live performances in over two years. Tickets are $10 general and $5 for children and HSU students with ID. Tickets can be purchased at  music.humboldt.edu/upcoming  or  https://commerce.cashnet.com/humboldthmo?CNAME=MUSIC+3 . Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result within three days prior will be required for any visitor a

Opera singer Anne Fridal with the late Clive Bradley Anne holds the distinction of being the first woman to have sung with almost every major steel orchestra coming out of Trinidad and Tobago. These steel orchestras include  Phase II Pan Groove ,  Renegades ,  Desperadoes ,  Trinidad All Stars  and  Exodus . She also performed with New York’s  CASYM Steel Orchestra . Relevant content An Interview with Anne Fridal CASYM Steel Orchestra at New York City Hall with Anne Fridal   Happy Birthday to Anne Fridal November 19 United Kingdom -  When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to the great dramatic soprano singer  Anne Fridal.

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  The Jammer For Bradley Renegades have lit their candles in the night for Nosey in Brooklyn, and on the hill by Desperadoes for Bradley, who made his music canticles against the guns of Laventille. Overlooking Calvary, he caressed his muse and ventured where only the brave dare and whisperers bubble a black spoon...  - Dawad Philip Read entire poem