Steelpan Music News - History and Culture

Marlon “Goose” Guerra When Steel Talks extends condolences to the family and friends of ace veteran panist Marlon Guerra. Marlon Guerra Remembering Marlon Guerra in pictures  Panist Marlon “Goose” Guerra

St. Kitts and Nevis 2021 National Panorama Champions Piece Ah De Road by Speedy | EBJ Harmonics | Panorama | Sugar Mas 50 - Dec.18, 2021 Relevant content St. Kitts and Nevis 2021 Panorama Competition Winner to take Home EC$15,000 Watch complete panorama

  July 28th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Juquan Phillip  Percussionist "Juquan Phillip" and Despers USA knock it out of the park!! Relevant content Despers USA Steel Orchestra - “Iron Love” - (‘Cool Down’ version - Video) - NY Panorama 2019 New York 2018 Panorama Champions Despers USA - Panyard Recording Session of Year For Love - ‘Cool Down’ version... Despers USA - “Different Me” - In Pictures - Panyard Recording BUSS HEAD - Despers USA Steel Orchestra - Tempo Panyard Version NY Panorama 2017 - Video Despers USA Steel Orchestra - “Different Me” - Tempo Version - NY Panorama 2016 - Panyard Recordings

  Lin Tao introduces the steelpan at the Shanghai  Conservatory of Music July 28th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Lin Tao  “I just found out it is a quite fun and interesting instrument with a very unique sound...  Not many Chinese people saw or knew this instrument before, actually. My family and friends are very supportive with this new instrument I introduced to them. They are super happy to hear it and see how it works and sounds....”  --  Lin Tao Lin Tao is a gifted pianist, performing artist, percussion instructor and music educator. And as fate would have it - she is now one of the persons who first performed on and introduced the steelpan to the world-famous and prestigious Shanghai Conservatory of Music - sometimes known as the “the cradle of musicians.”  In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, performing artist Lin Tao shares her love for the steelpan instrument and...

  See relevant content  Watch performance  TASPO, the Trinidad All-Steel Percussion Orchestra at the Festival of Britain 1951 Sixty Years After TASPO, Ellie’s First-Hand Replay Trinidad All-Steel Percussion Orchestra

  Toronto Steelband Wins through the Years - Panorama  (2000 to present) and “Best Beating Band on de Road” (1969 to 1999) Year  1 st  place Arranger 2 nd    3 rd 2022 Non-competitive event - see more 2021 Cancelled due COVID-19 Pandemic - see more 2020 Cancelled due COVID-19 Pandemic - see more 2019 Pan Fantasy Al Foster     2018 Pan Fantasy Al Foster     2017 Pan Fantasy Al Foster     2016 Pan Fantasy Al Foster   ...

Time:  July 29, 2022  at 7pm to  July 30, 2022  at 12am Location:  Lamport Stadium Street:  1155 King St W, City/Town:  Toronto, ON M6K 1E9, Canada Event Type:  showcase Organized By: Ontario Steel pan Association B rought to you by the Ontario Steel pan Association. Pan Alive is back and ready to showcase Toronto's avid steel pan performers promoting and preserving the cultural musical art-form. Pan-Alive is back and ready to represent! Independently run by the Ontario Steel Pan Association (OSA), the annual Steel Pan Showcase is going to be a night filled with live-performances, showcasing quality steel pan renditions, sounds, tone, and rhythm. Grab your food and drinks at Lamport Stadium on July 29, 2022 and support Toronto’s avid steel pan performers promoting, and preserving the cultural musical art-form. Steel Pan Showcase ...

  By  The Caribbean Camera Inc.  on  May 1, 2022 by Lincoln DePradine Terrence Wilson President of the Ontario Steelpan Association (OSA), Terrence Wilson, says a “spectacular’’ musical event could be expected from steel orchestras as part of this year’s Toronto Carnival. Steelbands will perform two songs, including a “bomb tune’’, in a non-competitive event on July 29 at Lamport Stadium on King Street West, Wilson told  The Caribbean Camera. It will not be OSA’s traditional “Pan Alive’’ panorama championship, with judges awarding points to bands to determine a winner, said Wilson “It will be more in the form of a show. We’re looking to make it very spectacular,’’ he said. See more Relatad content: OSA: Pan Alive 2022

  Google Doodle of steelpan instrument with illustration by artist Nicholas Huggin Global  - On Tuesday July 26, 2022 the steelpan instrument of Trinidad and Tobago is featured and celebrated on the site of technology giant “Google” via the famed Google ‘ Doodle .’ The ‘Doodle’ is essentially an illustrative change made to the Google corporate logo “to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists” - and more. See complete article

  Trinidad & Tobago’s Phase II Pan Groove, founded by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, celebrates its 50th anniversary in August. Nigel A Campbell looks back at the pioneering journey in the July/August issue of Caribbean Beat magazine . The names of pioneer steelbands formed in the 1930s and 1940s — Renegades,  All Stars , Desperadoes, Casablanca,  Invaders  — suggest both a combative spirit that was a hallmark of early pan life, and the fantasy of cinematic imagination. Phase II Pan Groove, by contrast, was born in the turbulent 1970s. It was a time that saw Trinidad impacted by American Black Power animus, heralding an awakening of cultural pride among a new generation of musicians. They sought new sounds, and to distance themselves from a colonial past. Phase II would be the bellwether of steelbands born in this era, as it trod an uneven path towards self-identification, self-sufficiency, innovative creativity, and commercial independence. It survived the flux of Cari...

by Les Slater A When Steel Talks Exclusive TASPO Global -  This was a 1951 happening, definitely not of the “incidental” or “forgettable” variety – not for the steelpan world, not for the world of music, period. No, nothing of the sort for the experiment known as TASPO, the Trinidad All-Steel Percussion Orchestra (reportedly, Tobagonians had some issues with that name and that no player from Tobago had been selected, and vented their displeasure in lukewarm or non-existent support during the public drive for funds for the TASPO mission). Notwithstanding this, off TASPO went in July of ’51 to the U.K., primarily to appear in the Festival of Britain, the first representative group of Trinidadian panmen to take the steel band message well beyond the island’s shores.  So 60 years later, here’s Ellie Mannette, West Virginia University’s (WVU) resident steelpan guru, lucidly recalling the TASPO saga as if this were a last month occurrence. “It was the opening of the gates ...

Maryland, USA  - The formation of many a Steelband has historically evolved from another existing band. Such is the case of Pan Masters. Some of the founding members of Pan Masters had previously performed with the Trinidad and Tobago Steelband of Washington, D.C. In May 1985, these individuals decided to chart their musical aspirations in another direction, and this resulted in the birth of Pan Masters Steel Orchestra. Back row: Joseph Lewis, Don Cumberbatch, Frankie Balthazar, Robert Barnes, Brian Solomon, St. Clair Balthazar, Patrick Belle Front row: Roland Barnes, Malcolm John, Lennard Jack, Jr. Not pictured: Steve Landrigan photo taken 1985 by Steve Landrigan The original members include Frankie Balthazar, St Clair Balthazar, Roland Barnes, Robert Barnes, Patrick Belle, Don Cumberbatch, Malcolm John, Lennard Jack, Jr., Stephen Landrigan, Joseph Lewis and Brian Solomon. In May 2005, Pan Masters Steel Orchestra celebrated 20 years of providing Steelband music in the Washing...

 When Steel Talks Reboot - Feel the Music - Live the Experience Straight Out of Maryland - Pan Masters Steel Orchestra - 2007 Jamboree Pan Masters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PNU3Kr9LEU #SteelpanMusicExcellence

Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO) The date July 26 is one of significance in steelband history ; it commemorates the performance of TASPO (Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra) at the Summer Festival of Britain seventy-one years ago in 1951 on that day. Related content: TASPO | Sterling Betancourt | The 1951 Festival of Britain Remembering Joseph Nathaniel Griffith and TASPO Sixty Years After TASPO, Ellie’s First-Hand Replay Technology Giant “Google” Celebrates the steelpan instrument via Google Doodle Steelpan History Timeline

Google Doodle Global - On Tuesday July 26, 2022 the steelpan instrument of Trinidad and Tobago is featured and celebrated on the site of technology giant “Google” via the famed Google ‘Doodle.’ The ‘Doodle’ is essentially an illustrative change made to the Google corporate logo “to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists” - and more. The doodle is then seen by users all around the world who access Google’s homepage on that day, and is available thereafter in the doodle archives. The date July 26 is one of significance in steelband history ; it commemorates the performance of TASPO (Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra) at the Summer Festival of Britain seventy-one years ago in 1951 on that day. See complete article

Google recognizes the steelpan music instrument with a GoogleDoodle. Doodles are the fun, surprising, and sometimes spontaneous changes that are made to the Google logo to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists. Celebrating Steelpan - GoogleDoodles See more on The History of SteelPan  Relevant content Technology Giant “Google” Celebrates the steelpan instrument via Google Doodle

  Lil' Rick  See complete story See Live Stream

Red Plastic Bag  See complete story See Live Stream

  Judah Goddard  See complete story Watch Live Stream

   See complete story Pankatang Get ready to jam to the sweet voice of Biggie Irie fused with the rhythmic sounds of the Barbados National Youth Orchestra! An event for everyone, the Republic Bank Pandemonium! will have so many unforgettable fusions of music, steel bands, cuisine, heritage, fun and more!  #LoveCropOver #CropOver2022 #CropOver2022 #CropOver #TheSweetestSummerFestival #LoveBarbados #Barbados  watch live stream

Crop Over - Republic Bank PANDEMONIUM - National Youth Steel Orchestra featuring Alison Hinds  Alison Hinds, also known as the Soca Queen, and the Barbados National Youth Orchestra are ready to wow you with their fusion at the Republic Bank Pandemonium! Bring out the whole family for a day of music, vibes, cuisine, heritage, fun and more! #LoveCropOver #Cropover2022   See complete story

  Leadpipe & Saddis Crop Over - Republic Bank PANDEMONIUM - National Youth Steel Orchestra featuring Leadpipe & Saddis It's always pure vibes with Leadpipe and Saddis! Lookout for their special feature with the Barbados National Youth Orchestra. On Sunday, July 24, Republic Bank Pandemonium! will have so many unforgettable fusions of music, steel bands, cuisine, heritage, arts and craft, fun and more! Fun for the whole family, this one is not be missed!  See complete story Watch Live Stream

Bridgetown, Barbados, W.I. - The National Botanical Gardens comes alive with the sweet, sweet sounds of steel pan this Sunday, July 24. It’s non-stop musical action, and fun for the whole family, from 2:00 p.m. as the National Cultural Foundation’s (NCF) first-ever Republic Bank Pandemonium event kicks off. This event will be the marquee steel pan event for the Crop Over season and it is sure to be one that you won’t soon forget. “If you’re a music lover, this really will be an event you don’t want to miss,” stated Karen Pestaina, Festival Events Coordinator at the NCF. “When we say ‘Pandemonium’ we mean it literally! We have two 40-ft mobile stages, as well as a main stage so the steel pan action will be non-stop,” she said. See full story and complete line-up Watch live stream

  Time:  July 24, 2022  from 2pm to 7pm Location:  NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS Street:  CODRINGTON, ST. MICHAEL City/Town:  CODRINGTON, ST. MICHAEL Website or Map:  https://ncf.bb/event/pandemon… Event Type:  concert Organized By: The National Cultural Foundation The breathtaking grounds of the National Botanical Gardens becomes an idyllic paradise on Sunday July 24, 2022 at 2:00 pm, as people of all ages gather to hear the unique sounds and style of the steel drum on an afternoon of unforgettable performances. The fusion of steel bands, great Barbadian food from the new Food Court and traditional Bajan crafts and heritage games against the backdrop of this lush environment will mean an exciting time for everyone. This year, patrons will enjoy the sweet sounds of 12 steel bands from across the island spanning schools, communities, churches, including the 150-strong Barbados National Steel Orchestra. Joining the various bands will also be some of Ba...

Please note the upcoming road closures for the Republic Bank Pandemonium! which go into effect from 1:00pm on Sunday, July 24, 2022.

  Nevin Roach June 22nd When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Nevin Roach “From a young age I used to see bands in Tobago playing on the road during Carnival. However, it wasn't until around 14 when I had my first real encounter with the steelpan, satisfying my curiosity by exploring a steelpan my sister had brought home for her to practice on. I eventually played in the T&T National Panorama after which I was fortunate to receive travel opportunities throughout the Caribbean to play in other Panoramas.”   Nevin Roach In a When Steel Talks exclusive - executive producer, entrepreneur and panist Nevin Roach shares his steelpan music vision and how his "I can do this" attitude has served him and the steelpan community very well. See profile Related content: Meet Nevin Roa...

  Junior Samuel  July 22 Relevant content Junior Samuel D’Radoes Steel Orchestra See more Breaking News

(Castries – Wednesday, July 20, 2022) – Saint Lucia Carnival 2022 climaxed with the national parade of the bands on Monday, June 18 and Tuesday, June 19. A total of 9 bands participated in this year’s national parade.  The results from the national parade of the bands for Saint Lucia Carnival 2022 are as follows: Relevant content Watch  St. Lucia Carnival - Parade of the Bands - Tuesday Mas 2022 Watch - Parade of the Bands - MONDAY Mas 2022

Tuesday Mas St. Lucia Carnival See order of appearance and Watch Live Stream St. Lucia Carnival - Parade of the Bands - Tuesday Mas 2022 Relevant content: Monday - Parade of the Bands See more breaking news

Monday Mas St. Lucia See order of appearance and Watch Live Stream Watch Tuesday Mas Live Stream See more breaking news

  When Steel Talks A night of classic jams in Brooklyn, New York. Indeed a ‘quiet storm’ moment Unison Steel New York, USA -  They may be the new kids on the block or more accurately the latest (new) edition on the block - but they did not disappoint. For sure it was Friday and the vibes were there with a whole lot of Summer jubilation in the air. Johnny Kemp would not have been disappointed. Unison Steel delivered. Billed as “A Pan Lime” with a Miami Vibes theme - indeed, heads were moving and shaking, fingers snapping and feet tapping as Unison Steel dropped a wide and varied set of musical delights that enchanted the full house of pan limers. see videos and more

The Carnival Planning & Management Committee (CPMC) announces the changes to the route for the Parade of the Bands for Saint Lucia Carnival 2022. Castries – Friday, July 15, 2022) – The Carnival Planning & Management Committee (CPMC) announces the changes to the route for the Parade of the Bands for Saint Lucia Carnival 2022. A total of eleven bands have registered for this year’s parade. The parade will commence at the Choc Roundabout near Caribbean Cinemas and proceed along the John Compton Highway, into Castries. Bands will then turn left onto Jn. Baptiste Street, right onto Darling Road, then right onto Jeremie Street and exit the City via the John Compton Highway. The parade will begin at 10 am on Monday, July 18, and at 12 noon on Tuesday, July 19. Judging will take place on Jn. Baptiste Street, adjacent to Massy Stores, Waterfront. Traffic Diversion North Bound Traffic: from Castries City heading towards Gros Islet Vehicles travelling from Castries towards Gros Islet, w...

  Matthew Best July 17th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Matthew Best Related content:    Matthew Best as panist with Verona Steel Orchestra See more breaking news

Wilfred “Junior” Kieal Wilfred “Junior” Kieal   July 17th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Wilfred “Junior” Kieal New York, USA - He is one of the most well-known and well-liked people in that ‘next generation’ of performing artists involved in the New York pan scene. Thoughtful, multi-talented and a natural-born percussionist with world-class abilities, he’s one of the few percussionists who have totally mastered the art of silence - such that when he stops, the listener is left wanting more. And within the steel orchestra, from tenor to four-pan and more - it’s a non-issue because he’s accomplished in several voices in the family of steelpan instruments. But with it all, Wilfred Kieal, Jr. is centered by his passion for the steelband art form and remains humble as its music courses through his blood, and life. In this exclusive When Steel Talks interview, performing artist, former band captain and administrator Wilfred “Junior” Kieal la...