Steel Drums in New York, 1977 | From the Vaults | The Metropolitan Museum of Art

-

 

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

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Aubrey Bryan | MASTER PAN TUNERS' PROFILES | UK Pan Tuners Guild

-
Image
Better known as ‘Maubert the Pan Man’ Aubrey ‘Boss’ Bryan came from Guyana in 1964 and settled in the UK. During his first few months in the UK he worked for Phillips Radio/TV Ltd in Croydon where he experimented with new techniques for heat-treating pans. In the mid 1970s he was invited with Sterling Betancourt OBE to tune some pans for the firm of A Major of Purley Way, which was intending to mass-produce the instruments. They soon realised there was a fault in the preparation of the material. As they could not get the desired tones, the venture never materialised. In 1979, he toured Germany with the British Airways Groovers Steel Orchestra as player and tuner and was invited to produce a complete set of instruments for a high school in West Berlin. This was the first of many such commissions. Around the same time he featured in several short films about the making of pans, started a three year BSc in Social Sciences and invented the ‘Octopan’ - the prototype of which was exhibited i...
Read more

Champion Panorama Drummer - Michael “Toby” Tobas - 1970 - Desperadoes Steel Orchestra

-
Image
Michael “Toby” Tobas Michael “Toby” Tobas with Desperadoes - Panorama 1970 Profile: Calypso / soca drums and percussion player Drummer and percussionist from Trinidad & Tobago. Played with Clive Zanda, Mighty Sparrow, Harry Belafonte. Clarence Curvan Orchestra, Hugh Hendricks & The Buccaneers, The Equitables and  Desperadoes Steel Orchestra Michael “Toby” Tobas Michael “Toby” Tobas is one of the premier percussionists from Trinidad, and from the 1960s onwards, he has led the way in Trinidad in earning a living as a working musician via performances, recordings and touring, and has been at the forefront of major developments in modern Trinidad music. He toured internationally with Harry Belafonte for five years (1972-1977) appearing on two recordings with Belafonte: Turn the World Around and Belafonte Live...
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to scholar, educator, exceptional musician and champion Panorama arranger Dr. Ray Holman

-
Image
Ray Holman April 22nd When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Dr. Ray Holman Ray Holman joined Invaders (1957–1962) and learned from the great players in the band. Ellie Mannette was the leader.... Emmanuel “Jack” Riley was  the best player and influenced him greatly - “he was our hero”.... Ray was the first person to introduce his own original composition as the panorama tune for his band...  Robert Greenidge  and  Len “Boogsie” Sharpe  would follow in later years... He caught heat initially but felt the idea was correct. Loves jazz, classical and calypso music.... Listened to the top American composers as a youth... On Panorama -  Anthony Williams  was the first to take legitimate steps showing what could be done with a calypso. He was always more interested in “creating something that will last” than something that would win Panorama... Panorama was initia...
Read more

‘Calling Meh’ - sung by Destra Garcia

-
Image
2023: Tune of choice  |   Panosonic Connection  -  Trinidad & Tobago Panorama Lyrics VERSE I am addicted to pan My darling please understand When dem tenors tuning I does forget everything I doing If ya hear how my ears and them ringing This music does make me feel to wine... down low, I have to go CHORUS The melody, it calling me A rhythm, calling Bacchanal, calling me Panorama, calling me Savannah, calling me... leh we go I would help it if I can But i have to meet the band Cause I love steelpan, I love pan VERSE Imagine something so sweet Some say it sweeter than meat And when they start playing If you see de energy start rising Dem fellas does have de people pumping If ya see de North Stand start to wine... down low, I have to go CHORUS JAM Jump up (jump up, jump up, but we going to tear dis place up boy) Hands up (hands up, hands up, hey keep jumping up, keep up) Jump up ...
Read more

Remembering the Late Great Karen Codrington Matriarch of the Codrington Pan Family

-
Image
 Karen Codrington matriarch of the Codrington Pan Family “It is very challenging juggling the different roles as a house-wife, mom, and musician. For example, sometimes I might be practicing at the pan yard while at the same time worrying about the pile of dirty clothes at home. Taking care of a family of 8 is no easy task but what makes it easier is the help of the rest of the family.”  -- Karen Codrington She lives it, talks it and walks it full time - 24-7-365. She is one of the world's most successful steelpan parents. A panist and drummer in her own right, she oversees eight accomplished musicians. Share the real life of the matriarch of the Codrington’s Karen Codrington—in her own words—in a When Steel Talks exclusive. See more Relevant Content Meet Karen Codrington of Trinidad & Tobago Saying Goodbye to Karen Codrington of The Codrington Pan Family The Codrington Pan Family Pave the Way at SXSW Interactive
Read more