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.