Steelpan Music News - History and Culture

  Related content: Program - Steel Orchestras, Tunes, Arrangers - 2022 Antigua & Barbuda Schools Junior Panorama

Debra “Sista Dee” Sarjeant  October 31st When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Debra “Sista Dee” Sarjeant  “...People are just amazed at what comes out of the pan, they want to know if you can play all types of musical keys, they check underneath to see where is all that sound is coming from...” -- Debra “Sista Dee” Sarjeant Her path and journey were essentially sealed from birth - what with her being Denzil Botus’ daughter, and her godfather being the iconic Rudolph Charles. A veteran in the game, her life journey has been for the love of Pan; performing artist, arranger, producer, educator, and more - all these describe this illustrious woman in Pan. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Boston’s Debra “Sista Dee” Sarjeant shares a snapshot of what has brought her to this point in Pan. See profile

Cherellé Bernard October 31st When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Cherellé Bernard With a background in and love for the performing arts, Pan captivated her and is the chosen path of her self-expression. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - proud panist and performing artist Cherellé Greaves shares her reflections, experiences and views on Pan, and the steelpan art form overall. See profile Related content : Meet Cherellé Greaves-Bernard - Trinidad & Tobago Cherellé Bernard with Skiffle Steel Orchestra

  Parade of the Bands - Tobago Carnival 2022 Relevant content Parade of the Bands - Tobago Carnival 2022 Night Mas ROX GLOW -- Tobago Carnival 2022 Rox Glow Concert -- Tobago Carnival 2022 Pan and Powder | Tobago Carnival 2022

Night Mas Relevant content Parade of the Bands - Tobago Carnival 2022 Night Mas ROX GLOW -- Tobago Carnival 2022 Rox Glow Concert -- Tobago Carnival 2022 Pan and Powder | Tobago Carnival 2022

TOBAGO CARNIVAL 2022 - ROX GLOW CONCERT   Relevant content Parade of the Bands - Tobago Carnival 2022 Night Mas ROX GLOW -- Tobago Carnival 2022 Rox Glow Concert -- Tobago Carnival 2022 Pan and Powder | Tobago Carnival 2022

PAN AND POWDER PARADE (Tobago Edition) as part of the celebration of TOBAGO CARNIVAL 2022 Relevant content Parade of the Bands - Tobago Carnival 2022 Night Mas ROX GLOW -- Tobago Carnival 2022 Rox Glow Concert -- Tobago Carnival 2022 Pan and Powder | Tobago Carnival 2022

 Shelley-Jeanne Langton-Attang October 29th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Shelley-Jeanne Langton-Attang She is a steelpan musician, steelpan administrator and a Pan mom. She is a proud member of Tropical Angel Harps. Meet, and share the experiences of, Shelley-Jeanne Langton-Attang in an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks. See profile Related content : Meet Shelley-Jeanne Langton-Attang Meet her daughter:  Megan-Leigh Langton-Attang - Trinidad & Tobago

  Every year on Labor Day weekend, the spirit of Carnival comes to New York City for West Indian American Day. Unfortunately, the annual parade is cancelled this year, but you can learn more about the steel drum’s fascinating global history, from its origins in Trinidad and Tobago to its status as one of the world’s most popular musical instruments, in this thought-provoking hour-long film. Musicians such as Ellie Mannette and Pete Seeger talk shop and explain what they love about this extraordinary instrument.   Relevant content Examining the Roots of Steel Band Activity in New York RUDY KING - the Man who introduced Steelpan to America - exclusive interview with When Steel Talks Meet Ellie Mannette - Celebrated Master Steelpan Tuner - UpClose! Mikey Enoch - Pioneer, Panist, Pan Tuner - In his own voice In Memoriam of James “Jimmy” Leyden - founder of Calliope′s Children Steel Orchestra

Master arranger Clive Bradley on New York Panorama stage with Pantonic Steel Orchestra performing "Ben Lion" by Andre Tanker Bruce Paddington on Andre Tanker: The Bob Dylan of Trinidad The Trinidadian musician Andre Tanker, who has died of a heart attack aged 61, described his work as "Caribbean world music", combining African, Indian, European and the region's Amerindian traditions. The soca star David Rudder compared the influence of Tanker in Trinidad to that of Bob Dylan on contemporary American music. Tanker experimented with Latin American, African, jazz, calypso and, recently, rapso while giving his music a Trinidad and Tobago character that embraced the steelbands of his 1940s Port of Spain boyhood and today's rapso/soca music. In 2002, his song Ben Lion was a hit for the band 3 Canal. The wor

  Republished from -  PAN -  Summer 1988 - Vol.3 No.1 H ow many times has he heard the same review? He overarranges. He plays too many notes. He’s too jazzy. This is calypso—our music, they remind. And who are “they” but a bunch of amateurs strutting in his panyard a few nights before the 1987 North Zone steel band finals, running off at the mouth about his musical style. “Ay, Boogsie, you know what?,” they’d crow. “Maybe you could take this part out, put this one in and,... blah, blah, blah.” Such brass! Small wonder he escapes the din by hanging out his pride in the shadows of Phase II Pan Groove, his own big band of 100 players now rehearsing on gleaming chrome pans with steely tones. Here, amid the cacophony, he is secure. In the belly of the beast,  Boogsie Sharpe , the world’s best panist-composer-arranger is home. See complete article

Kendall Williams October 28th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Kendall Kendall Williams, having been born around the Trinbagonian (Trinidad & Tobago) culture, has adopted the country's national instrument, the steel pan. From as early as the age of four, Kendall made efforts to mimic his parents as they displayed their talents in a Miami-based steel band. It wasn't long before his efforts turned into a reality as he developed his skills and passion for the instrument. As he got older his passion brought out a connection to music and he was able to perform with large, world-renowned steel orchestras in Trinidad and Tobago as well as bands in the New York based scene for many years. See profile

Len “Boogsie” Sharpe October 28th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist, champion arranger and performing artist Len “Boogsie” Sharpe Len “Boogsie” Sharpe was born on October 28, 1953 and started playing the steelpan at the age of four. By the time he was a teenager he had mastered all the voices and different styles of the pan family. By the early seventies, following the pioneering work of Ray Holman in 1972, “Boogsie” became renowned as a composer and arranger of his own music in national competitions, in both the classical and calypso genres. From that time to the present, he has continued to compose and arrange music for PHASE II PAN GROOVE Steel Orchestra, the band that he co-founded in 1972, and of which he is Chairman and Musical Director. Additionally, because of his prowess as a composer and arranger “Boogsie” has worked w

Dr. Arielle A. Chase Blair October 27th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Dr. Arielle A. Chase Blair She brings uncommon intellect, diplomacy, sensitivity and foresight to the steelpan music arena. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - captain, panist and performing artist Arielle Chase shares her views on Pan, culture and desires for the steelpan art form, and more. See profile Related content :

 [APRIL 16, 2010] BRAVO!! - ‘Celebration’ an Artistic Success Tribute to Broadway Andrew Lloyd Webber by UWI Arts Chorale and the UWI Steel Ensemble Brooklyn, New York - The UWI (University of the West Indies) Arts Chorale and the UWI Steel Ensemble from Trinidad appeared in concert as part of their tour, at the Founders Hall at St. Francis College - located in downtown Brooklyn, New York. Their performance was simply marvelous. The concert and tour are part of the tenth year anniversary celebrations of the musical organizations’ founding. According to the concert info, “10 years ago the University of the West Indies Arts Chorale & Steel Band Ensemble started this programme as two courses, that has turned into a plethora of successful concerts and five successful musical productions. Ten years later, they celebrate this milestone with their second international Concert tour with a trip to St. Francis College.”

Dike Samai is a Film Composer, Orchestrator, Steelpan Arranger, & Performer, from Trinidad and Tobago. He has worked on a number of award winning short and feature length films with local and international based directors, as well as composed, orchestrated, and recorded cues with international based orchestras. His academic qualifications include a MM, Music Composition: Screen Scoring from New York University (2021), where he received a Fulbright scholarship to attend, a Certificate in Orchestration for Film & TV from Berklee Online (2015), and a BA in Musical Arts from the UWI (upper 2nd hons. 2011). Because of his Caribbean background and over 20 years of experience playing the national instrument, the steelpan, Dike has set himself apart by utilizing the instrument in many of his scores.  

When Steel Talks extends condolences to Angel Harps and executive and panist Zavid Seales on the passing of his mother  Mrs. Stephanie Kate Seales Sun Rise 23-03-1935 Sun Set 24-10-2022 R.I.P. Stephanie Kate Seales

 

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Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, The Honourable Dr. Keith Rowley, at right - with Rawlston Charles of Charlie’s Records (NY) Related content: Prime Minster of Trinidad and Tobago - Dr. Keith Rowley - supports his favorite band at Panorama 2020

Despite the curtains falling on the immensely popular PanoGrama virtual steelpan competition in June this year, the rapidly growing organisation has remained active since then. PanoGrama Entertainment (PE) continued to expand its youth development campaign under the stewardship of CEO and Founder, Nevin Roach, conducting workshops with students and educators in the Bahamas earlier this month. When asked about the opportunity, Roach said “Just to think that I started PanoGrama in 2020 on Instagram and ideas that I jot down on paper are now unfolding, it’s an amazing feeling. I am grateful for the chance to inspire and educate through PanoGrama. Thanks to the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture (MOYSC) – Bahamas for believing in PanoGrama and giving me the opportunity to share my country’s culture.” PanoGrama 2022 winner Mathieu Borgne was slated to join Roach in the Bahamas as part of his grand prize but was unable to do so due to circumstances beyond his control. Nevin Roach with te

A teacher gave a balloon to every student, who had to inflate it, write their name on it and throw it in the hallway. The teacher then mixed all the balloons. The students were then given 5 minutes to find their own balloon. Despite a hectic search, no one found their balloon. At that point, the teacher told the students to take the first balloon that they found and hand it to the person whose name was written on it. Within 5 minutes, everyone had their own balloon. The teacher said to the students: "These balloons are like happiness. We will never find it if everyone is looking for their own. But if we care about other people's happiness, we'll find ours too." May your day be filled with happiness. -- Arts & Humanities Website

Cordel Byam (second on bottom right) with New Dimension Steel Orchestra When Steel Talks captures a young Cordel Byam as a panist with New Dimension Steel Orchestra at the 2004 Moods of Pan festival in Antigua. Cordel is destined to become a champion Panorama arranger for Grenada in a few years. Related content: New Dimension Steel Orchestra - Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire

Related content: An Appreciation: Dr. Winston (Shadow) Bailey, Our Conscience  - by Roger Toussaint SHADOW: The ‘William Blake’ of Calypso  - by Bukka Rennie

    Cordel Byam October 23rd When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Cordel Byam “He made me develop an ear for music” Cordel says of Edwards, likening the latter’s style to that of the late Master Clive Bradley and the iconic Len “Boogsie” Sharpe . They are also his key steelband influences along with the late legend Dr. Jit Samaroo . Cordel learned well, as evidenced from the results of his first entry into the country’s national Panorama this year. He made his musical mark definitively as his arrangement of Trouble In The Morning and the band’s scintillating performance of it led to New Dimension Steel Orchestra being crowned champions in the country’s 2019 Panorama competition. See profile

  Trinidad and Tobago Newsday 2020 Panorama champs  -  Desperadoes  playing ‘More Sokah’ at the Queen's Park Savannah. Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival is scheduled to be launched on November 5 at the Queen’s Park Savannah and, quickly on the heels of that,  Pan Trinbago  is expected to launch Panorama 2023 on November 6 at Massy  Trinidad All Stars  pan theatre, Duke Street, Port of Spain. The launch will take place from 5.30 pm on that day. ....In a phone interview, Pan Trinbago’s president  Beverley Ramsey-Moore  said the body was very excited going into the 60 th  anniversary of Panorama. see more

 For this Tobago Carnival in October, PanTrinbago Tobago Division has gone big and bold, hosting three events on the island.  Caricia Douglas spoke with the Tobago Division’s Chairman Salisha James-Martin.

See the article in its original context from July 19, 2001, Section B, Page 3 By the calendar, it is pan time in Brooklyn, the annual rite of summer when hundreds of Caribbean immigrants and their American-born children turn sidewalks, vacant lots -- any sliver of concrete they can find -- into late-night practice yards for Panorama, the popular steel band showdown that begins the West Indian American Labor Day weekend carnival. But as this year's season gets under way, the bands are producing as much controversy as they are good music. The group that represents 22 of Brooklyn's best-known pan, or steel drum, orchestras says it will boycott Panorama and stage its own competition on Sept. 1. It has accused the parade's organizers, the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (Wiadca for short), of ignoring its pleas for a larger venue, a professional sound system and a share of the profits from the event, which typically draws crowds into the thousands, usually at $20

Here is the 2001 performance of a young Sesame Flyers performing a Jit Samaroo arrangement of "Stranger" by Shadow. This was done at the now most quintessential moment in New York Panorama history. Related content The Finest Moment in New York Pan History - 2001 New York Panorama: “By Pan People - For Pan People” New York Steelband Panorama Results - Summary - All Years Pantonic Steel Orchestra - Clive Bradley - Stranger - Panorama 2001 - HD version Steel Bands Plan Boycott of Brooklyn's West Indian Parade by By Nichole M. Christian - The NY Times

Jahlani Andrew Roberts October 21st When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Jahlani Andrew Roberts In a relatively short time Jahlani has developed into a surefire triple threat - performer, educator and administrator with the steelpan as his center and focal point. He is armed with solid expectations. And as part of his “World of Steelpan,” a phrase he has coined, Jahlani says “I have some big, big dreams... I would love to see a steelpan Hall of Fame one day. Something that validates our history and legitimizes us. Something that gives the future something to work towards - like, “I want to make the Hall of Fame!”...” See profile