Steelpan Music News - History and Culture

  To date three Steelband Music standouts have receive New York Times obituary recognition - Martin Douglas, Ellie Mannette and Clive Bradley Martin Douglas, Who Set Tone for Steel-Pan Brooklyn, ... The New York Times  https://www.nytimes.com  › 2020/04/21 › obituaries › ma... Apr 21, 2020 —  Martin Douglas, Who Set Tone for  Steel-Pan  Brooklyn, Dies at 71. A deft m...

Martin Douglas with his wife Jannette, and Dr. Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago The history of Pan is replete with large, colorful figures whose names and deeds will be entwined with steelband music art form forever. Martin “Dougie” Douglas was one such character. Whether you were a child or an adult, you only had to meet him once to understand why the name “Dougie” was known to all, and that he immediately made you feel like you had known him for a lifetime. It takes a very special person to run a steelband organization in New York. And indeed Dougie was special. He was always able, willing to help, always positive regardless of the situation, and always viewed the glass as half-full. Dougie was one who was close to the late Rudolph Charles , and himself was pivotal in a way—unbeknownst to many—that shaped the New York pan community into what it is today. In an exclusive 2004 interview with When Steel Talks - Martin Douglas demonstrated his gift for storytellin...

  When Steel Talks Their Story, Their Voice, Their Life, Their Dreams, Their Passion Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art For m Meet Christine Law - Wonderland Steel Band - (1965 - 1967) Trinidad On Panorama Christine says it is -- “An incredible explosion of musical energy and THE SOUND of Trinidad and Tobago.” Christine Law is now 81 years of age. She was in her early 30s when she led the Wonderland Steel Band in Chaguanas, central Trinidad. She recalls her time in Trinidad and Tobago with the fondest of memories. Her most moving memory is of the whole of the Wonderland band turning up to play for them as they boarded their boat to leave Trinidad for the final time in 1967. Everyone was in tears! In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Christine Law, musical director for Wonderland Steel Band from 1965 - 1967 shares her personal journey and memories with Pan. A When Steel Talks Exclusive | see interview | https://www.panonthenet.com/woman/2017/christine-law.htm...

Watch video Global - The Hammer, a song written by David Rudder in tribute to the late Rudolph Charles , the legendary leader of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra . This performance is at the 2008 Moods of Pan concert in Antigua.

  Khan Cordice Most importantly, Ainsworth Mohammed, Exodus' founder and manager said, "He is a real good human being. "He understands people and knows how to work with a group because there are so many dynamics working with a large group, and he did an excellent job. "BJ Marcelle's arrangement was wonderful," Mohammed said with the satisfaction of a man who successfully mined gold. Indeed it was a "huge" coincidence that Exodus chose the song from Antiguan Short Shirt, who was barred (due to nationality) from being the 1977 Road March winner. The song is older than Khan Cordice, a graduate of The University of the West Indies, with post grad work at Northern Illinois University, NIU. See more

  New York Women in Steel 2003 The year is 2003 and the New York Steel orchestras all show up for the When Steel Talks Woman’s Month Calendar photo-shoot... When Steel Talks - Looking back 20 Years Ago... WST NY Women in Pan Photo Shoot...  Their Story, Their Voice, Their Life, Their Dreams, Their Passion Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form  With full support from their male counterparts and in an unprecedented spirit of business cooperation, sisterhood, and “pan fraternity,” the New York Pan world came together to feature their women, fully cognizant of their marketing and advertising value in today’s business and entertainment scene. It is also in step with being ready for the upcoming month of March 2003 designated as Women’s Month  see spotlight   # WomensHistoryMonth #SteelpanMusicExcellence

  Junior Pouchet In an exclusive 1980 interview with producer, journalist, author and noted on-air broadcaster Von Martin - Pan pioneer, panist, arranger and performing artist Junior Pouchet speaks on Silver Stars Steel Orchestra, his journey with Pan and the way forward. Relevant content Junior and Edwin Pouchet of Silver Stars Steel Orchestra SILVER STARS and the Pouchet dynasty Steelband Pioneer & Arranger Junior Pouchet Remembered: Eulogy

Friday 24th March 2023 The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organization (TUCO) wishes to announce that they were informed by the Chair of the TUCO Junior Calypso Committee, Ms. Thora Best that she had received several complaints of breaches of the 2023 Junior Calypso Monarch Competition, Rule 3.4. In light of this, the Junior Calypso Committee investigated and verified the complaints, that there were indeed breaches of Rule3.4. These findings were brought to the attention of TUCO’s General Council, and at their Friday, March 3 rd 2023 meeting, a decision was taken to rescind the February 13 th results to reflect the disqualification of the two Finalists in breach of the rule .   In keeping with exercising fairness, transparency and accountability, to all, Ms. Best had subsequently informed the parents of both Finalists, of the Committee’s decision.   The Revised Results have been provided by the TUCO Adjudication Management Committee .   NO. NAME C...

  The experience of steelpan music is something that can be difficult to put into words, but when Attillah Springer was interviewed as part of "Pan Is..." a short-format documentary for the National Gas Company (NGC) which explores the genesis and evolution of Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument, she managed to tap into it. The feelings stirred by Attillah’s lively retelling of her adventures at Panorama, the instrument’s most illustrious music competition, seemed to naturally lend themselves to a short film format. The timing was perfect: after two years of COVID-19 restrictions, Carnival 2023 would be the first in-person festival. Director Walt Lovelace, producer Janine Mendes-Franco, and photographer Jason C. Audain understood that while the experience of “going pan” is communal, it is at the same time, individual. Perhaps you will find some of the beauty of your own pan experience in it. Tell us your own stories of "Going Pan...

  Time:  April 1, 2023  from 6:30pm to 7:30pm Location:  Joe's Movement Emporium Street:  3309 Bunker Hill Road Mount Rainier, City/Town:  MD 20712 Website or Map:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/… Event Type:  concert Organized By: Dynamic Steel Project, Khandeya "Kay" Sheppard and Khandeya Sheppard Dynamic Steel Project is a Caribbean-American fusion ensemble based in the Baltimore-Washington area that aims to provide high quality, multi-genre musical experiences featuring the STEELPAN for audiences of all ages. Join us for a special tribute to Caribbean Women in the diaspora who have been adding to the landscape of performance, composition, and arrangements in steelpan music! Coming out of Women’s History Month and starting Jazz Appreciation Month and Celebrate Diversity Month, we want to amplify the often unrepresented works of female composers and arrangers in a typically male-dominated arena.  It will be an experience you don’t want to mi...

When Steel Talks extends condolences to the family and friends of  Dr. Merle Albino-de Coteau    on the passing of her son Michael de Coteau

  Franka Hills-Headley A power-house of gentle determination is Mrs. Franka Hills-Headley; known fondly by most, and called respectfully by her students, as simply “Miss Franka.” Home is 134 Independence Avenue, on the seaward side of San Fernando, and within hearing distance of Hatters panyard.-    Dr Jeannine ‘J9’ Remy Related content A Woman of Gold - Mrs. Franka Hills-Headley

Ralph Davis Another episode occurred when he played for the queen of England on her visit to Trinidad and Tobago at the then-Governor-General’s house. He remembers her standing right over his pan. But what she did not know, was that the shoes he was wearing, had no soles... For he could not afford shoes. So the illusion was there, just the outer part of the shoe, while his feet had already been cut from sharp stones and bottles on his way to play for her Majesty. See complete interview https://www.panonthenet.com/spotlight/rdavis/index.htm #SteelpanMusicExcellence #steelpanhistory

  Time:  March 19, 2023  --  3pm to 4:30pm Location:  Sugar'D Street:  2614 Newkirk Ave City/Town:  Brooklyn NY Event Type:  live performance  Organized By: Sugar'D, Brooklyn’s newest Caribbean restaurant

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “She was a former student of the great music phenom, Winifred Atwell. And as the founder of and an educator at the Pan Pipers Music School, she provided the entree point and stepping stone to the careers of many great Trinidad and Tobago musicians. In 2005 Ms. Louise McIntosh was awarded the Gold Public Service Medal of Merit for outstanding and meritorious service to Trinidad and Tobago in the sphere of music.” read more

by Sharmain Baboolal ...Charlie, very much a man who prefers to remain behind the scenes, is not just an architect of Birdsong. Starting as a UWI graduate at the age of 24 years, and working through both Pan Trinbago and the National Carnival Commission (NCC), he was part of the team that shaped the business side of pan, giving birth to PANVESCO, eventually, after years of riding the bull to ensure that money was wisely invested in the steelband communities. “Against this backdrop, his tone became more strident. Elite Hustle “The powers that be perceive pan as another CEPEP programme. The entire commentariat (educated people and so called experts) see pan as a way to keep the ghetto quiet. It all has to do with money passing through like a dose of salts to keep us quiet after Ash Wednesday.... See complete article

Andre White Andre White’s name is synonymous with excellent in Steelpan. Whether arranging popular music for a 100-person orchestra, Composing the abundance of life-force in a jazz trio or left with the instrument alone on stage, White’s music is unmistakable in impact. It’s simple to call someone “prodigy” when they begin to teach themselves music at the age of 6; when he began playing with Long-Island based ADLIB Steel Orchestra. From those humble beginnings, he has become a 3-time Champion in the Annual WIADCA Steelband Panorama, a 3-time UK Panorama and a Finalist in TNT Panorama Competitions. Recording with artists like Etienne Charles and even releasing his own album (Liberation), White adds clout to his credential as a Berklee Alumnus. In recent months, Andre won the International Pan Ramajay Soloist category hosted by Republic Bank Exodus. His talent is such that hearing him perform, even once, will change the way your perceive clarity and fluidi...

Barbados PM Mia Mottley Relative content Mia Amor Mottley --- FROM The HEART… A tribute to Black Stalin

 

Jonathan Scales

PanoGrama pivots to hybrid model Born 3 years ago during the heights of the COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns, the history-making PanoGrama has and continues to captivate the international steelpan community. Nevin Roach Under the stewardship of Tobagonian Nevin Roach, the competition has seen 3 editions since its inception. However, those pannists eager to seize their opportunity to participate this year will have to wait, according to Roach. “My team and I have done a great job with the platform to date. We have not only seen tremendous growth with the competition but also with many of the young participants who we try to impact in a positive way. I think now is the right time to step back for a bit to re-imagine the competition for the benefit of the participants and other major stakeholders”, Roach said. When pressed about plans, Roach indicated that PanoGrama will shift from its regular virtual operations to a hybrid model. “We are looking to host participants in one cou...

Hazel Scott Hazel Scott Listen to audio below   She was a genius —a Juilliard-trained pianist of dizzying talent, equally adept at jazz and classical music.  But along with great talent, she believed, came great responsibility. In 1951, over Philadelphia station WFIL, Hazel Scott spoke not about Bach or boogie, but about bigotry.   At least a decade before Martin Luther King's " I Have a Dream " speech, the former " Darling of Café Society " speaks about her own hopes of a future with "all racial prejudice eliminated."   Born in Trinidad in 1920, Scott calls herself "an American by choice." In this broadcast she carefully toes the line between cautious and candid language, a necessary balance for a black superstar living in the cold-war era of McCarthyism and lockstep beliefs.   Scott married Adam Clayton Powell, Jr . in 1945. read entire piece  Relevant content Takin' A Chance--Hazel Scott Hazel ...

  “There are people who just don’t think that it’s a serious instrument. Some universities didn’t accept my application because I played pan. I had to get in as a percussion major,” - FosterThomas More than 70 years ago, three Trinidadians – Sterling Betancourt, Ralph Cherrie and Russ Henderson – were among the first steel pan players to settle in Britain and capture the imagination of an unsuspecting public with an instrument that had never been seen before. They took pan to jazz clubs, Oxbridge balls and ultimately the Notting Hill carnival, creating a steel band movement in Britain and laying a foundation for future generations. Thomas is well aware of this rich history but also knows that he has a duty to extend it. “The only way people will achieve their potential,” he says, “is if they stand out and do something different.” See more