Steelpan Music News - History and Culture

Ken “Professor” Philmore performing at BET Jazz Central   Ken "Professor" Philmore at BET Jazz Central - 1995

Ken “Professor” Philmore   I still vividly remember the first time I met Ken "Professor" Philmore as a student at Pleasantville Senior Comprehensive School in Trinidad. His charisma was immense, and, for me, it was like meeting a rock star-- I couldn't wait to get home to tell my parents about meeting this legendary figure. He was one of the initial steelpan soloists whose vocabulary I had the pleasure of absorbing, and the passion that he brought to the stage was incredibly infectious. "Professor's" sense of style and swag left a deep impression upon many a steelpan musician, especially the players who hailed from San Fernando (which is where I am originally from). Though we lost touch over the years (I no longer live in Trinidad), my respect and admiration for Mr. Philmore never waned, and I was really happy to be able to be able to directly pay homage, a few years ago, to stalwarts like Ken “Professor” Philmore and Ray Holman at a ceremony hosted by the T...

  A Behind the Scenes Video It all begins - in the panyard. The panyard is 'holy ground' for the pan man and woman.

Ken Philmore, Destra and Mark Loquan   Mark Loquan’s Speech at Ken Philmore’s Funeral, SAPA, Trinidad, October 5, 2018 Words cannot express the loss I feel after being an integral part of Ken’s musical energy, spirit and love creating music together for 11 songs for Panorama, since 2008 from Hooked to Calling Meh to Vibes to Sweet 50. Before meeting him I would always hear of this legend called the “Professor” , who was bigger than life in my mind after hearing Pan by Storm so many times, until we met at a family event on Boxing Day 2005. I had met Brian, Ken’s brother a couple years before, who attended such events, who would say “You guys need to get together” as he was concerned about Ken being disenchanted, but obviously having so much more music to give. That fateful day Brian brought Ken along, this bigger than life character in my mind, who turned o...

    Ken “Professor” Philmore The prodigious talent that Trinidad and Tobago produces in all spheres is to me, a constant source of amazement. Ken "Professor" Philmore was certainly one of the stars. He was one of those persons who one would approach in awe but leave having found a friend and a kindred spirit. His music, like his personality, was always filled with warmth and joy, whether one was listening to his arrangements, to his compositions, or to his solo performances. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in his book "Strength to Love" noted that "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Ken “Professor” Philmore through his music and his life showed his true measure. His music will live on but his radiant spirit will sorely be missed.   Dawn K. Dr. Dawn Batson - Educator, Panist, Composer, Arranger See full article and related content

Len “Boogsie” Sharpe Remembers Ken “Professor” Philmore Ken “Professor” Philmore   “All I can tell you is that, “Professor” is my brethren, he will be very missed. A good player – a great player, a great friend – a personal friend of mine. To ‘loss’ a man, who so represent this country a lot, all over the world, you know? And everybody mourning his death, all of us mourning his death, all of us musicians – everybody, and the whole world, the pan fraternity and even other musicians. Our prayers go out to him, he will be very missed.   -   Len “Boogsie” Sharpe - Champion Panorama arranger, Composer, Performing Artist See full article and related content

Ken "Professor" Philmore Pan By Storm is considered by many to be Ken  "Professor" Philmore's greatest panorama arrangement. Related content Fonclaire Steel Orchestra - History, Biography - Panonthenet Ken "Professor" Philmore Bio/History Ken “Professor” Philmore Remembered - The Passing of an Icon

We had a gem, a star in the making, such love and passion for the pan Ken “Professor” Philmore - at right - with Sonatas Steel Orchestra ..“We met this young guy Ken Philmore, and he told us we have to come to his home and ask his parents which we did. I had to promise them that we would take good care of him; I told them not to worry he would be taken care of. I give them my name, address and phone number where he would be staying, that was at my house. “The minute he got to my house and was introduced to some of the players and members, had some refreshment, we took him down to the basement where the stage side was practicing; remember it was still June, we were astounded by what he could do on a tenor, and this went on for hours. We saw the joy, passion and love he had for the pan right off; we had to actually stop him from playing. “By this time the basement was full. After that first night we knew that we had a gem, a star in the making, such love and passion for the pan and every...

  Ken ‘Professor’ Philmore, Cro Cro, Superblue and “ Keet Styla ” backstage at the Theatre in Madison Square Garden 1992 I got to the studio and Frankie McIntosh was laying the down the keyboards, Pro was so excited because I believe it was the first single, his own composition, he was doing for carnival. He and George took me out in the lobby and sang the first verse and chorus of the song then I went into the vocal booth at the platinum factory and cut the track “Pan By Storm.” We have lost a giant of a showman, a true ambassador of the steeldrum, a man who has touched the hearts of so many with the love and passion he played the instrument. I would love to see a scholarship, cultural center, street named in his honour because he made people all over the world love Pan more and more each time he played the notes on the drum. read more “Keet Styla” FKA “Designer”  - Com...

Ken “Professor” Philmore All societies have art that most reflect their people. These pieces allow you to feel a culture. It’s not the tourist view; it’s the native view. And it’s the rare, gifted artist who creates these masterpieces. Ken “Professor” Philmore is one of those artists, and “ Pan by Storm ” is his culture defining piece. In “Pan by Storm”, “Professor” lays his country bare. You experience Trinidad’s folk tradition, its modern conventions, its cosmopolitan sophistication and the ebbs and flows the people. Global influences are present in the music, but the Trinidadian vernacular is always front and center. “Professor” is saying, “we know your ting, but dis is we ting”, which is classic Trinidad. The share joy the music shows what Trinidad could be, and sometime is. “Pan by Storm” is one of the most beloved arrangements in panorama history and Ken Philmore one of the most l...

  Ken “Professor” Philmore ....His music was infectious. He had a flair – style and flair when he was performing, man, he was a consummate showman – that endeared him. He endeared himself to people all around the world, and he, I think, was responsible for many people, who had not come in contact with the steelpan – to get to love it. He drew a lot of people to it. So he did a lot of work for his country in promoting an instrument that he loved so much...   Ray Holman - Educator, Champion Arranger, Composer See full article and related content

  Tamika Alexander  September 27th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Tamika Alexander  After ten years with one of New York’s powerhouse steel orchestras, Tamika Alexander could be described as being ‘Despers USA to the bone!’ She is impassioned about, as she calls him “My big time Arranger! Odie Franklin” of Despers, while also cherishing arranger Marc Brooks, who gave her her first lessons on the instrument at age six. For Tamika, it’s all about her love for the steelband and her ‘Pan’ family. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - the dedicated performing artist talks about her journey in pan to date, and hopes for the future of the steelband art form and community. See interview Tamika ...

Janet Zahradka Reiner September 27th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Janet Zahradka Reiner “Whatever you pursue, it is your journey. Take the opportunities as they present themselves. Don’t spend too much time in looking backward but look forward to how you can transform yourself. In my journey, I spent most of my life as a full-time band teacher of young people. Now, I am in transition from full time teacher to pan player. It is a glorious adventure! ”  -- Janet Zahradka Reiner She has been smitten with the steelpan music art form and Pan culture. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist, performing artist and educator Janet Zahradka Reiner shares her reflec...

  A Eric Mc Allister  September 26th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist A Eric Mc Allister  “....I am a graphic artist by profession, so marrying my experience as a panist with my creative side, I thought “Why not?”. I consider myself a full-time music student. .” - A Eric Mc Allister See bio Relevant content Merrytones Steel Orchestra - In the Spotlight - Eric McAllister speaks A. Eric Mc Allister - Panorama Arranger - When Steel Talks

  Merrytones Steel Orchestra - Trinidad Then, Now and Beyond C. Phillips, Basement Press Corp. ©2005 When Steel Talks - All Rights Reserved Former captain Eric McAllister takes pride in introducing his band, Merrytones Steel Orchestra in Trinidad, to the global pan community. He presently plays the quadraphonics, a physically demanding instrument. McAllister is now part of the executive management of the band. Merrytones Steel Orchestra is a three-time winner of the Panorama title in the small conventional steel orchestra category - 1995, 2004, 2005. In the years prior to 1995 Merrytones was a large band, the category which usually fields up to one hundred players and over. When McAllister joined Merrytones in 1974 (his first panorama), the band then had a membership of about 50-plus members. Their competitive fortunes began to look up in later years, toward the end of the decade. In 1982 - in the Pan Is Beautiful II competition, they placed fourth, then took t...

Shell Invaders Republic Day J'ouvert 2022 Related content Desperadoes Steel Orchestra - Trinidad and Tobago - Republic Day Jouvert 2022

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See full Picture Shows: Slideshow #1 Slideshow #2

King Jab & Friends - “Jab At The Gala” Natural Expression provides accompaniment for King Jab & Friends and “Jab At The Gala.” Greenhouse Jab Jab: “The Purge” - “All Hell Break Loose” Philadelphia (Philly) Pan Stars Hearts of Steel Steel Orchestra See full Picture Shows: Slideshow #1 Slideshow #2

Rheanne Edwards-Babb September 23rd When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Rheanne Edwards-Babb “The greatest challenge for this current generation is that there are too many distractions for them. Compared to when I started out, it’s a bit harder for this generation to stay focused with all the technology that exists. The onus is on them to use modern technology to enhance themselves and the artform and not make it a weakness.” -- Rheanne Edwards-Babb She is a life-long Skiffle Steel Orchestra panist who fell madly in love with the steelpan instrument, its music, the art form and more. The extremely talented Rheanne Edwards-Babb has gone from child to woman with the steelpan always at he...

Zakiya De Coteau  September 22nd When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Zakiya De Coteau  Despite being young in age, she possesses an unapologetic combination of intellect, awesome talent, a confidence and beauty that are in the DNA of this generation of trailblazing women panists. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Zakiya De Coteau shares her feelings, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more. See interview Zakiya De Coteau  Related content: Meet Zakiya De Coteau Congratulations to panist Zakiya De Coteau

Barry Mannette  September 20th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Barry Mannette  “....Having traveled and seen how schools in foreign countries treat the instrument, and in many cases have better instruments and facilities to practice, we really need to wake up in Trinidad and put things in place for the school children to have the opportunity to learn and perform at a much higher standard.” Barry Mannette See bio

Josanne Francis September 20th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Josanne Francis  “...Never let anyone discourage you because of your age/gender and at the same time, never use your age/gender as an excuse for mediocrity.” --   Josanne Francis Her story, her reality, her journey - A Pan story... In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, Josanne Francis of Trinidad and Tobago—now an NIU graduate—shares her fantastic journey with the steelpan instrument as her guide, wind and sail. See interview ...