When Steel Talks (WST) extends belated Happy Birthday greetings to scholar, director, educator, conductor, arranger Josanne Francis

-
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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to panists Jabari Sharpe & Jahi Sharpe

-
Image
  Jabari Sharpe & Jahi Sharpe Happy Birthday to Jabari Sharpe & Jahi Sharpe March 28th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panists, Jabari Sharpe & Jahi Sharpe Relevant content Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra - Performance at BSO’s ‘Pan Is Sweet’ competition Relevant videos Pantonic Steel Orchestra - My House "Hideaway" - Tessanne Chin - Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra Let Me Love You - Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra - BSO - Special - "Pan Is Sweet"
Read more

Pan Evolution - A Steelband Grows in Brooklyn

-
Image
by Garvin Blake Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra at Celebrate Brooklyn Provided with the expressed permission of: the Author Saturday, June 11 was etched on my calendar since BRIC released their Celebrate Brooklyn schedule in late April. Pan was again taking center stage at the borough's biggest and best summer festival. Adding to the anticipation, this spring the fabled outdoor performance space was renamed the Lena Horne Bandshell in honor of the Bedford-Stuyvesant-born singer, actress and civil rights activist. It’s been a few decades since Renegades turned Prospect Park upside down. This year it was Pan Evolution's (PESO) turn to shake-up Park Slope. With about ten pan players, bolstered by a rock-solid rhythm section, PESO presented a well-rehearsed set of reggae, R&B, Latin, soca and calypso that reverberated through the historic n...
Read more

When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Joel Ramdwar

-
Image
  Joel Ramdwar Happy Birthday to Joel Ramdwar January 30th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist, Joel Ramdwar Joel Ramdwar performing with Pan Evolution at Pan Is Sweet 2019 Joel Ramdwar performing with Pantonic Steel Orchestra Relevant content Joel Ramdwar performing with Pan Evolution at Pan Is Sweet 2019 Joel Randar performing with ADLIB Steel Orchestra Joel Ramdwar with Pantonic Steel Orchestra
Read more

Lorraine - by Explainer

-
Image
‘ Lorraine ’ sung by “ Explainer ” Album: Man From The Ghetto, arranged by Frankie McIntosh. 1981 2023: Tune of choice  |   Dixieland Steel Orchestra  -  Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 2018 Tune of choice |  Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra  - Trinidad & Tobago 2014 Tune of Choice |  Xpress 21 Steel Orchestra  - Trinidad & Tobago Lyrics : Intro Taxi, Taxi Airport Kennedy Verse 1 Lorraine, you better wake up Ah need ah jet plane to take me non-stop Ah cyah stay in New York City When there is sunshine and pan in my country Lions is de place with de jammin' With Kaly-Ann and Charlie's Roots clashin' Everyone happy partyin' And I'm freezin' in Brooklin, Darlin' Chorus Lorraine doh cry ah leavin Ah cyah miss dis jammin With all dem steel band beatin And woman background shak...
Read more

On This Day in Pan -- The Legendary Herman “Rock” Johnston

-
Image
Herman “Rock” Johnston On this day April 30, 2001, Herman Johnston, who rocketed to fame from his native Trinidad with his innovative work on the steelpan music instrument, loses his battle with cancer at age 63. During a career that catapulted him from his native Trinidad to appearances at the United Nations, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall and with the Boston Symphony at its summer festival in Tanglewood, Mr. Johnston's repertoire spanned musical genres, including rock, spiritual, classical, show tunes and Caribbean folk melodies. Related content: Legend -- Herman Johnston “Echophone” made by Herman “Rock” Johnston Herman Johnston - The Johnston Fantastic Symphony Steel Orchestra The Triple-s...
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to scholar, educator, musician, manager and panist Malika Green

-
Image
  Malika Green May 25th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Malika Green For over 23 years the steelpan instrument has been an essential part of the life of this Fulbright scholar, educator, director, arranger and performer. She is currently a Community Engagement Coordinator, Director of Steel Orchestras, working with CYSO - Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Malika Green shares her personal journey and perspective on the global reach and influence of the Steel Pan instrument, its music, and the art form in cultivating an environment for change. Related content: Meet Malika Green - Chicago, USA
Read more

‘Burn Dem’ - by “Black Stalin”

-
Image
‘ Burn Dem ’ sung by “Black Stalin”  2023: Tune of choice  |   Skiffle Steel Orchestra  -  Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 2023: Tune of choice  |   Invaders Steel Orchestra  -  Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 2023: Tune of choice  |   Genesis Pan Groove  -  Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 2023: Tune of choice  |  Buccooneers Steel Orchestra  -  Trinidad & Tobago Panorama The song featured here, Burn Dem , was composed by Dr. Leroy Calliste aka “Black Stalin,” one of the Kings of Soca, in 1987. Stalin won the 1987 Calypso Monarch competition with his performance of this mega-song. Black Stalin has always been a politically and socially conscious artist, and sung about the struggles of South Africans and all oppressed peoples of the world in his quest for world peace. Lyrics         ...
Read more

New pan factory officially opens on World Steelpan Day

-
Image
  Loop News T&T Akua Leith showing off one of the pans in the new MITTCO facility Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  World Steelpan Day  was celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago with the official opening of a new pan manufacturing facility. The Musical Instruments of Trinidad and Tobago Company Limited (MITTCO) opened its doors in the e-Teck Industrial Park in Diamond Vale, Diego Martin on Thursday evening. MITTCO is the brainchild of  Akua Leith , the Artistic Director and Conductor of the National Steel Symphony Orchestra of T&T. see more
Read more

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