When Steel Talks extends Happy Birthday to educator, producer, arranger and panist - Sherwin Thwaites

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Sherwin Thwaites

April 12th

When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Sherwin Thwaites

If you ask Nola Barton what her son Sherwin’s first language was, she’ll respond frankly: steelpan. A Canadian-American born of Trinidadian heritage, Sherwin was born into steelpan culture and has lived the art form his entire life. A native of Hyattsville, Maryland, Thwaites was exposed to a variety of musical styles at an early age: go-go, jazz, and gospel through his friends and calypso, soul, and reggae at home. In the 1980s, Yo! MTV Raps added hip hop to that list and he found himself enthralled. Despite this broad love for music, Thwaites never strayed far from his beloved steelpan...

Musician, panist and producer Sherwin Thwaites was inspired to honor the late performing artist and steelband arranger via Philmore’s signature hit - the world-renowned “Pan By Storm,” but with a unique twist that encompassed the musical sensibilities of Thwaites. He, along with a bunch of exceptional musicians connected through their love for “Professor,” all voluntarily participated in this special project.

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