Well done! UKASPO (UK All Steel Percussion Orchestra) - (Ebony Steelband, Mangrove Steelband, Croydon and Metronomes steel orchestras) performing at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations

-

When Steel Talks extends congratulations to all involved in the historical grand steel orchestra music production for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee outside Buckingham Palace on Sunday 5 June 2022.

It was an awesome performance and an occasion with significant cultural and historical importance - particularly in recognition of the importance of the Windrush Generation.

Performing the musical works of the late great calypsonian Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts) was very appropriate. Lord Kitchener himself was one of the most famous members of what has now been acknowledged and referred to as the historic “Windrush Generation.”

One of the last surviving members of TASPO (Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra), Sterling Betancourt, had the honor of conducting UKASPO (UK All Steel Percussion Orchestra).  That was the name given the four steel-orchestra combination (Ebony Steelband, Mangrove Steelband, Croydon Steel Orchestra and Metronomes); twenty-five players from each orchestra were featured for the one hundred-steelband-musician presentation for the occasion. 


UKASPO delivered two songs by Lord Kitchener: Pan in 'A' Minor and London is the Place for Me. Both were arranged by André White and performed on instruments tuned by Bertram “Birch” Kelman and Dudley Dickson; Leon Foster Thomas was the musical director.

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 educator, scholar, and veteran ace panist Athena Nichole

-
Image
Athena Nichole June 4th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Athena Nichole “I feel when you truly love something or someone musically, you can NEVER just like one of their pieces. Clive Bradley will always be my favorite arranger because of his inventiveness to create masterpieces. To name only one song would be bogus, though... Rebecca, High Mas, In My House and that’s just in Trini, (LOL). He’s truly missed.” -- Athena Nichole   In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - veteran panist Athena Nichole shares her wisdom, experiences and intellect through her personal journey with Pan, and the art form as a nurturing environment for youth and community. See Interview Related content: Meet Athena Nichole - New York, USA   Athena Nichole with D'Radoes Steel Orchestra ...
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to ace Brooklyn panist, and dancer, Norzika Lewis - Women's Month - Their Voice, Their Life, Their Dreams, Their Passion, Their Story

-
Image
  Happy Birthday to Norzika Lewis April 4th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Norzika Lewis “Those ten minutes on stage to me are the best moments in my life every year that I perform. There is always this feeling like a rush of energy that I get when I perform. Because being a performer is part of me and what I love to do.”  Norzika Lewis She is with no doubt a ‘culture baby.’ The performing arts is her forté. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - the multi-talented Norzika Lewis shares her encounters, feelings, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.   See full interview Norzika Lewis with NY Pan Stars Relevant content Norzika Lewis with CrossFire Steel Orchestra - Outta Da Box   Norzika Lewis with CASYM Steel Orchestra - GYAL Owner
Read more

Former Steelpan player KEB MO from Compton to multi-Grammy winner

-
Image
  Keb Mo is the first to tell you he was never crazy about school or academics. It was music that came naturally to the young man. Music was his passion. He was intoxicated with the sound of percussion instruments and hypnotized by the rhythm of the drums. So much so, that Keb Mo started playing the steel drums with a local calypso group called, the Young Calitino Steel Drum band. He played steel drums in that band from eleven-years-old to age nineteen. Their group was popular around the South Los Angeles area and at that young age he began working hotel gigs with them and private parties. “I started playing the steel drums because a guy in our Compton, California neighborhood built and played the steel drums. Coincidentally, he was probably the only American making steel drums who came from Trinidad and happened to live on my block. He’s not around anymore. He passed away a few years ago. But his name was Chuck Countee. I’m still really good friends with his son Carlos. I got so g...
Read more

When Steel Talks extends condolences to the family and friends of scholar, educator and panist Devon Cumberbatch

-
Image
Sincere condolences to the  Pan Lara, P an Evolution, Pan Masters and   Skiffle family, and the pan fraternity on the whole on the passing of  Devon Cumberbatch . Devon Cumberbatch “I would love for the instrument to be as mainstream as the piano, guitar or violin. It may have a ways to go, being a fairly young creation, but I believe pan can progress, develop and infiltrate music of all cultures. I would love to see it as an instrument for all peoples, and universally accepted. The history of the pan is just as important as the future where it can potentially end up and blossom.” -  Devon Cumberbatch    Related content:  Meet Devon Cumberbatch - Maryland ,   Details for Devon’s funeral:   Funeral Service is on February 8th at 12pm. Viewing starts at 11am. Capitol Memorial SDA Church 3150 Chesapeake St, NW Washington, DC 20008 Devon Cumberbatch SA
Read more