Calypso’s “Kitch” of the Day by Von Martin written for the “WASHINGTON POST” February 20, 2000 published at the request, and with the expressed permission - of the author If Aldwyn Roberts, the calypsonian known as Lord Kitchener, had been born in a metropolitan country instead of the island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, he might have been considered one of the greatest composers of this century.I wrote for the Washington Post commemorating “Lord Kitchener.” This was done in 2000 using material from an interview I did with Kitch in 1988. I think its a doozy. Cheers, Von But then he would not have contributed so much to calypso music. For more than 50 years, Lord Kitchener, who died Feb. 11 at the age of 77, gave calypso some of its wittiest and most infectious musical compositions. Calypso, a genre grounded in the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago, is both poetry in music and editorial in song. Calypso songs praise or condemn their subjects. The lyrics tell of the life of th...
Gary “Soup” Harrigin Condolences on the passing of Master Tuner Roland Harrigin’s brother Gary Harrigin aka “Soup.” He was one of the brothers who took all of Roland’s pans to Rudolph Charles to hear once completed. Gary Harrigin was also very good in the making of the steelpan instrument as well. May Gary Rest in peace. Submitted by Lyndon Spencer
When Steel Talks extends condolences to the family and friends of elite Caribbean vocalist Dexter “Blaxx” Stewart. It is When Steel Talks’ opinion that “Blaxx” was one of the most talented musicians of his era. Dexter John Stewart, better known as “Blaxx” was born December 21st, 1962. Dexter started his musical journey at the tender age of thirteen, where his father Jerry Stewart who fielded his own band called “Jerry and New School” molded him into what we see today. Dexter then joined a very popular band called “Fucceccion” where he became “Blaxx” after a ten-year span. He then went on to join many other bands like “Atlantic”, “Byron Lee and the Dragonaires” and “Blue Ventures.” He transitioned into his stage name, “Blaxx”, after a decade with his first band – a moniker that was born from his dark brown skintone that had often been a source of contention for his progress and success in the industry. In 1999 when the legend himself, Mr. Roy Cape approached “Blaxx” and ...
Global: Three years ago, the visionary Tobagonian Nevin Roach showcased ingenuity during the challenging heights of the COVID-19 lockdowns, giving birth to PanoGrama , the world’s first online steelpan competition. The inaugural event drew thousands virtually on Instagram, gaining popularity in subsequent years. Now, Roach is set to receive the 2024 Young, Gifted & Black (YGB) Entrepreneurial Award for Caribbean Artistic Development. At its core, PanoGrama is a testament to the power of simple yet innovative ideas. The solo competition united the international steelpan community, providing a platform to showcase exceptional talents. However, PanoGrama's impact extended far beyond entertainment and became a highly anticipated event globally. Since the inaugural event, Mr. Roach expanded the competition to encompass holistic development. He secured international television deals, reaching a potential audience of over one million, and fo...
Wilbert “Junior” Gill Composer, Arranger, Panist, Percussionist Artist biography Wilbert "Junior" Gill Born in London in 1963, Wilbert "Junior" Gill is nowadays based in Zürich, Switzerland, where he has been studying and teaching music since 1991. He is the musical director of the Music Center Affoltern, in Zürich that caters for drums, marimba, percussion, keyboard, and guitar + studio technique courses. He has performed with quite a few well known musicians, either on stage or in Jam Sessions. Phil Collins, Santana, George Duke, Airto Moriera and Victor Bailey – to name a few. Junior has learnt to master the steelpan, through listening and learning from the pan musicians of the so called “Old School“, in the likes of Gary Chang, Ken Johnson, Selwyn Baptiste, Pedro Burgess, Sterling Betancourt, Russ Henderson, Aubrey Bryan, Zigilee Constantine, Kenrick Isidore, Boots Davidson, Tony Charles and his first ever teacher Clyde Dias. Since 2002, Wilbert Gill has been ...
Desperadoes Steel Orchestra wins the 1976 Panorama competition with a Clive Bradley arrangement of "Pan in Harmony ". Champion Panorama Tunes of Trinidad & Tobago See comments from players, arrangers and fans who were actually there and lived it Relevant content 50-Plus Years of Champion Panorama Tunes Lord Kitchener and Pan Music: A Match Made in Heaven Lord Kitchener and Pan Music Have A Thing Going
Nyana Price October 14th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Nyana Price “I remember going to Sesame Flyers’ Saturday program, I was 9 years old. That’s where I met Marc Brooks, K.J., and a few others who are still around now. I started off playing tenor there actually until I started playing with Sonatas. I was too shy to be in the tenor section with people I didn’t know at the time so I went to double tenor with Marc.” -- Nyana Price Although she is young in age she is a veteran panist and represents one of New York’s most talented and finest musicians. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist and performing artist Nyana Price shares her reflections, experiences and views on Pan, and the steelpan art form overall. ...
Clyde Durant April 10th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to administrator Clyde Durant Clyde Durant is one of the founding members of Moods Pan Groove New York's Moods Pan Groove performs "Ben Lion" as arranged by the great Robert Greenidge See more Related content: Moods Pan Groove - A New York Original No Wuk for Carnival - Moods Pan Groove - Robert Greenidge - 1994 Moods Pan Groove - ‘Signal for Lara’ - Len “Boogsie” Sharpe - 1995
Renegades wins the 1984 Trinidad and Tobago national panorama with a Jit Samaroo arrangement of Sweet Pan . Champion Panorama Tunes of Trinidad & Tobago See comments Relevant content 50-Plus Years of Champion Panorama Tunes Lord Kitchener and Pan Music: A Match Made in Heaven Lord Kitchener and Pan Music Have A Thing Going
When Steel Talks - Reboot Meet Claudette Baptiste - the late President of Women in Steel Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form Claudette Baptiste Brooklyn, New York, USA - .. This passion for young people led her to the birth of Women In Steel. Women In Steel is an all-female steel orchestra and young women’s development organization. It was founded in March (Women’s Month) in the year 1994, out of sincere aspiration to educate and model for young girls socially, emotionally, and culturally through the art form of the steel drum or the pan. Women in steel became her work in progress and eventually her legacy. See more Claudette Baptiste See more
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