The Prometheus of Pan - Dr. Anthony Williams - by Garvin Blake

-

 Global - Anthony Williams died on Tuesday, December 21st, leaving behind an unmatched legacy. Tony helped shape every aspect of the modern steelband. For me, and countless others, his passing was personal.

The first pan I ever played was a Tony Williams spiderweb tenor pan my cousin David Maunday, a member of North Stars, had in my yard in Belmont. I was mesmerized by the instrument. It seemed to have a hundred notes, with big notes next to small notes, going round and round, up and down.

The legendary Anthony Williams
Anthony Williams

It would be years before I realized I was playing an instrument laid out in the cycle of fifths, a scientific organization of pitches dating back to the sixth century BC that’s fundamental to western tonal music.

Tony didn’t read about this harmonic relationship in a music theory book. He used his own ingenious mathematical method to arrive at the cycle. Tenor pans with this note placement are now the most widely played instrument in the steel pan family.

See complete article 


Led by the legendary Anthony Williams, North Steel Orchestra performs on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.


See complete article 

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 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 - 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

Total Antigua & Barbuda Panorama Champions

-
Image
  Antigua & Barbuda Panorama Champions Hells Gate (champions 1949, 1953, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1964, 1967, 1976, 1990, 1991,  2002, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 ) Halcyon (champions 1975, 1978, 1979, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995,  2008, 2010, 2011, 2016 ) Harmonites (champions 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1985,  2001, 2004 ) Gemonites (champions 1981,  2003, 2005 ) Ebonites (champions 1977,  2014 ) Panache (champions  2018 ) Steelband Panorama Champions of Antigua and Barbuda
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

Sonatas Steel Orchestra - “The Ten Commandments of Pan” - (‘Cool-Down’ version - Video)

-
Image
  When Steel Talks - Feel the Music - Live the Experience Sonatas Steel Orchestra - “The Ten Commandments of Pan” - (‘Cool-Down’ version - Video) Panyard Recording Brooklyn, New York, USA -   Three days before 100 Sonatas players take the stage for the 2008 New York Steelband Panorama competition, Basement Recordings captures Sonatas Steel Orchestra, the defending champions, in their panyard. "The Ten Commandments of Pan" - a Yohan Popwell arrangement See tempo version video
Read more

Were You There When...

-
Image
Ralph McDonald, David Rudder, Robert Greenidge performed at Lincoln Center New York New York - Pannist Robert Greenidge, percussionist Ralph MacDonald, keyboardist Onaje Allan Gumbs, drummer Buddy Williams, saxophonist Arturo Tappin, guitarist Scott Galt, bassist Nicholas Brancker, trumpeter Etienne Charles, vocalists Rhea and David Rudder commanded the attention of the audience at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Allen Room on Saturday June 16, 2007. It was a musical aggregation looked forward to by many, one that fulfilled expectations, and that prompted a sell-out of tickets to the event at least two weeks prior. The people in attendance had discerning palates when it comes to Caribbean culture, and by the end of the evening their appetites were fully sated. But maybe if you ask the 'Rudderites' who were in attendance, they would tell you that they were still ravenous...
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to educator, musician, dancer, choreographer, performing artist and percussionist - Rosanna Toney

-
Image
Rosanna Toney May 14th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to percussionist  Rosanna Toney “It was easy for me to adapt to the engine room through my profession as a dancer; I’m a dance instructor, that’s my ‘living.’ I love rhythm and I also play drums, and through that I said “I just have to play the ‘scratcher.’” I just love music, I could play the congas, the cow bell, you know. That’s where it [the love for “scratching” in the engine room] really comes from.” “And my father is also a panist, [back] home [Trinidad]; at the age of eighty-something, eighty-five he still plays pan. From small, you know, we in to that; he always had us into beating this bucket and ting, beating the rhythm. He played with Sun Valley and Sonny Roach years ago, but now he plays with a small family group.” --  Rosanna Toney Culture is her lifeb...
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to pan-mom, administrator, freelance writer, poet and co-founder of J’Ouvert City International - Hazel John

-
Image
   Hazel John with ace panist daughter Orisha John May 12th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to Hazel John "My love for our culture has never left me especially since I have spent many years projecting our culture through calypso tents as Co-Founder of the West Indian-American Calypso Association and working with steel band groups as Co-Founder of J'Ouvert City International, Inc.' -  Hazel John Related content: Something for the Mighty Shadow  by Hazel John New York Brooklyn J'Ouvert 2018
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to panist Andrea Edwards

-
Image
  Happy Birthday to Andrea Edwards February 28th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Andrea Edwards “The music and the instrument itself, to me it's just different. Its versatility, its dynamics its effects - everything about it. It gives me a different feeling when I listen to it as opposed to listening to the radio. It takes my mind so many places musically.” -- Andrea Edwards She is a scholar and a veteran panist in spite of her young age. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Andrea Edwards shares her reflections, experiences and views on Pan, and the steelpan art form overall. Andrea Edwards Related content Meet Andrea Edwards - Brooklyn, New York
Read more