Remembering the late great Grammy award composer and percussionist Ralph MacDonald

-

 When Steel Talks - Reboot

Ralph MacDonald and Robert Greenidge - Moods of Pan 2008

A WST Exclusive

Ralph MacDonald (center) at Moods of Pan Festival 2008
Ralph MacDonald (center) at Moods of Pan Festival 2008

Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - Multiple Grammy award-winning producer, song writer and performing artist Ralph MacDonald came to the beautiful Caribbean island of Antigua, sister isle of Barbuda - to have some fun. What was also very apparent from the onset was that the people of Antigua were in for a very special treat. Ralph MacDonald brought his A-team to town - and they were not about to take any prisoners.


....Panist extraordinaire Robert Greenidge shared the stage with MacDonald; the spotlight bouncing off the chrome of Greenidge’s double seconds, the rays seeming to hit every point on Deanery Grounds, the Moods of Pan venue - and bathing the instrument in an ethereal glow. Indeed, Robert’s grace and what appears as an effortless command of the instrument often conceals the depth of his musicianship. Robert Greenidge is one of the best players to have ever honored the instrument.

Relevant Content 



Listen and watch

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A look at the new panyard under construction for Desperadoes Steel Orchestra by Sharmain Baboolal

-
Image
Here is an exclusive look at the TT$14 million panyard for the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra which has been homeless for several years, but which was gifted this piece of real estate at 25 Nelson Street in Port of Spain. When completed it will be the first steelband facility of its kind, anywhere in the world, occupying one and a half acres of land. Take a tour with me below: Under construction new Desperadoes Panyard
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to composer, arranger, soloist and veteran panist Terrance “BJ” Marcelle

-
Image
Terrance “BJ” Marcelle September 16 When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Terrance “BJ” Marcelle In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - well-known steelband panorama arranger Terrance “BJ” Marcelle - no stranger to winner’s row in the small conventional steel orchestra category in Trinidad & Tobago - speaks about his present position as arranger for New York’s D’Radoes Steel Orchestra. See Interview Related content: Terrance “BJ” Marcelle - When Steel Talks - Bio/History Meet Terrance “BJ” Marcelle - Arranger for D’Radoes Steel Orchestra - UpClose! ...
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to scholar, educator, exceptional musician, music director and champion Panorama arranger James Clarkson

-
Image
James Clarkson   April 21st When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist James Clarkson James Clarkson was born in Grenada on 21 April 1943 and has had a distinguished lifelong career in music with early exposure at the age of 12. He later joined the band of the Royal Grenada Police Force, appeared on stage with his father’s band, and by 17 was a member of the band of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force as lead arranger and first trumpet player. By 23 years of age, he was the Director of Music of the band of the Royal Grenada Police Force, and soon became the arranger for the very successful Republic Bank Angel Harps Steel Orchestra , a post he still holds today. The Officers and Ranks of the Royal, Grenada Police Force (R.G.P.F.) take this opportunity to thank Commissioner James Clarkson OBE, QPM, Lmus, F. Sci, for his invaluable contribution to to the R.G.P.F and to wish him a healthy and productive retirement. James Clarkson with daughter Ayana  Panorama Champion...
Read more

Remembering Some of Those In Pan We’ve Lost in 2021 - calypsonian Singing Sandra (Sandra Des Vignes-Millington).

-
Image
 When Steel Talks Remembering the late Veteran Calypsonian Singing Sandra (Sandra Des Vignes-Millington) (1957 – 28 January 2021) Singing Sandra before taking the stage with CYP (Caribbean Youth Panoramics) at the 2003 New York Panorama See more SINGING SANDRA REAL NAME: Sandra Des Vignes DATE OF BIRTH: 1957 PLACE OF BIRTH: East Dry River, Port-of-Spain EDUCATION: ... CAREER: Sandra won the 1999 Calypso Crown with "Song for Healing" and "Voices from the Ghetto." She became part of history when Sanelle Dempster won the Road March title the same year. It was the first time in the history of calypso competition that both titles were won by female singers. She again won the Calypso Crown in 2003 with "For Whom the Bells Toll?" and "Ancient Rhythms." She placed 3rd in the 2005 Calypso Monarch competition with "Clean Heart" and "Judge Me Not." She placed 2nd in the...
Read more

Remembering Some of Those In Pan We’ve Lost in 2021 - the iconic panist Ursula Tudor of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra

-
Image
     Ursula Tudor The outstanding panist and icon Ursula Tudor of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra. (May 25,  1946 - July 21, 2021) .   In 2020, Ursula celebrated 50 years of membership with Desperadoes Steel Orchestra , joining the band shortly after Panorama in 1970. She is well-known in all steelpan circles as being the longest standing female player in history. In her 50 years, she has performed in all but one Panorama (2018-owing to a vehicular accident).  see more Desperadoes Steel Orchestra with Ursula Tudor Relevant content Ursula Tudor... Desperadoes Steel Orchestra’s First Lady of Pan  Benefit Concert for Ursula Tudor of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra Some of Those In Pan We’ve Lost in 2021
Read more

Doctor Kelman - by Gregory “GB” Ballantyne

-
Image
‘Doctor Kelman’ sung by Gregory Ballantyne composed by Gregory Ballantyne 2023: Tune of choice  |  Southern Marines Steel Orchestra  -  Trinidad & Tobago Panorama Written, composed and performed by - Gregory Ballantyne (GB) Background Vocals – Natalie Yorke Guitar – Lennox Saunders Bass Guitar – Daymon Alexander Live Drums – Malaki Negus Joseph Percussion – Nwaoha Men Kau Ra Brass – Michael Lindsay (Trumpet); David Jacob (Trombone) Keys – Kenneth Baptiste Panist – Natasha Joseph (Double Second Pans) Pan Tuning Intro – Malomo Nkosi Joseph Produced by – Southern Marines Steelband Foundation (SMSF) Recorded @ Ekweoha Entertainment Studios Mixed and Mastered by – Ebony Sound Factory One phone call from Bernard “Beavers” Edwards to prolific composer Gregory Ballantyne resulted in this pan-infused classical composition.  GB jumped at the request from the Southern Marines Steelband Foundati...
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to scholar & ace panist Cherylee Goddard-Legair

-
Image
  Happy Birthday to Cherylee Goddard-Legair December 28th When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to panist Cherylee Goddard-Legair “For me, to play something that came about from a simple oil drum, but fascinates people around the world, is amazing.”  She is an intellectual - multi-talented, thoughtful, forward-thinking beyond her years...  In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks -  panist, musician, budding photographer, future lawyer and performing artist Cherylee Goddard-Legair shares her reflections, experiences and views on Pan,  and the steelpan art form. See more Relevant content Meet Cherylee Goddard-Legair - Trinidad & Tobago Six-pan / Rocket Pan See more on Six-pan / Rocket Pan
Read more

Saying Goodbye to Panist Aliandre Maraj of Despers USA

-
Image
  Aliandre Maraj Brooklyn, New York, USA -  The rays of sunshine warmed the sunny Sunday afternoon for the celebration of the life of Despers USA Steel Orchestra panist and vice captain Aliandre Maraj - just as he himself had warmed the hearts of all those he touched in his thirty years of life. At the Seven Days Adventist Church on East 21st Street in East Flatbush, people of all ages, from the young to the not-so-young gathered to bid him goodbye. In addition to his conventional family and friends, there was a considerable turnout in his steelband family among the New York pan fraternity in attendance. see more
Read more

Panorama Champions - 1963 to Present - Performances on Video - When Steel Talks

-
Image
  Panorama Champions Video Performances 1963 to Present Tap link to see complete comments Comment by  Joan Pilgrim  on February 1, 2019 at 3:50pm Delete Comment I think this is fantastic listening and watching from 1963, and I am in Toronto Canada.  Comment by  knolly smith  on January 28, 2019 at 7:27pm Delete Comment Harmonites and Hatters steelban were always entertaining! Comment by  knolly smith  on January 28, 2019 at 7:08pm Delete Comment PANAM NORTH STARS......SWEET MEMORIES!!!......Desperadoes is about to take over the steelpan world with their sweet,sweet music 'Melda' Cavaliers were also part of the mix along with MY BAND 'ESSO TRIPOLI'...........STARLIFT WAS ALWAYS A STEELBAND FORCE TO RECKON WITH, IN THE SIXTIES AND BEYOND....'MY SWEET! MEMORIES IN PAN'      OH! HOW I LOVE IT!!! ...
Read more