On This Day in Pan -- The Legendary 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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When Sidney Poitier met the Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband in 1964

-
Image
In Photo from left – Steve Regis, Elton “Smokey” John, Herman Colins, Conrad Hunte, unknown, unknown, Sidney Portier, Hugh Borde, unknown, In 1964, The Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband performed at the Moral Re-Armament Conference at Mackinac Island, Michigan. Maybe it was serendipity that caused Bahamian born American actor Sidney Poitier (1927-2022) to be present at one of the band’s performances while he was visiting his daughter, who was attending the conference. He was so overwhelmed with the music that he insisted on meeting the players. As can be seen in the photo, the meeting brought great joy to Poitier (with pan sticks in hand) and all the musicians. See complete article  Relevant content To Sir With Love - Royal Bahamas Defence Force pays tribute to Sir Sidney Poitier - When Steel Talks  Who Am I? A Breakdown Of George “Sonny” Goddard’s Accomplishments Remembering the late Dr. Clifford Alexis - arranger, tuner, panist and member of the 1964 ‘Trinidad & To...
Read more

Champion Panorama Drummer -- 2020 - 2016 Desperadoes Steel Orchestra - Gregory Pegus

-
Image
“ OMG - thanks guys! This what y’all looking at here is a gift from GOD, and it’s not what you do, but is how you do it - is that makes it look easy.     “ And don’t forget it’s a lot of hard work to play with the steelband, cuz it’s more people you have to look after, so your responsibility is much more ... so take your time and pay attention and you’ll find your way.”  Desperadoes Steel Orchestra /  “ More Sokah ”  / Panorama Final 2020 Quick Oral Bio “Well I’ve started playing from very young with CARIB Tokyo . That was my first band from the age of seven years old. I also played with some schools at that time - until I was able to practice with the big band.   “I got my first break in 1985 with the Pan Is Beautiful Music Festival - And my first time playing for the Panorama that same year. The arranger, Mr. Ray Holman ...
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

Kareem Brown of Highlanders -- Notes and extras on Small Band Finals - Panorama 2023

-
Image
Kareem Brown Tired but pleased, and with something left in the tank after his band’s high-energy performance for a quick chat with Dr. Gormandy-Benjamin - was arranger Kareem Brown of Highlanders. There came a reminder of what could transpire behind the scenes even with a great onstage performance. Declaring as he did “It was fantastic,” still - the reality check: “I had some challenges on ‘the Drag’ with players, I didn’t play with the entire group; a ‘Quadro man’ didn’t make it, somebody else didn’t make it. But they sounded very good, very good.” See complete interview and results
Read more

Obituary of Musician Beverly Ruthven Griffith

-
Image
  Beverly Griffith After a courageously fought battle with several illnesses, Beverly R. Griffith of Deerfield Beach, Florida passed away on April 19, 2022. Beverly was born on April 18, 1941 in Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago. He was predeceased by his mother Helena (Holder) Griffith, father Herman Griffith and brother Selwyn Griffith. He leaves behind his devoted and loving wife, Pamela Burns, of Deerfield Beach, Florida, his son Gerrard Griffith of New York, his daughter Tara and granddaughter Victoria Lambe of South Carolina, his beloved step-daughter Alissa Bankert of Rhode Island and his sister June Jensen of Florida. Beverly graduated from St. Anne’s College in Trinidad and Tobago and Brooklyn College in New York. Beverly was a Social Worker in New York and Florida. He worked with ailing seniors, needy children and adults addicted to drugs and alcohol. Beverly’s first and most fervent passion was music. Early on as a pianist, he formed the Clarence Curvan ...
Read more

Black Man Feeling To Party - by Black Stalin

-
Image
‘ Black Man Feeling To Party ’ sung by “Black Stalin”  2023: Tune of choice  |   Renegades Steel Orchestra  -  Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 2023 2023: Tune of choice  |   Harmony Music Makers  -  New York Panorama 2023 2023: Tune of choice  |   Metro Steel Orchestra  -  New York Panorama 2023
Read more

To Hell and Back to Pan -- by Dalton Narine

-
Image
   To Hell and Back to Pan by Dalton Narine © 2019 - All Rights Reserved A When Steel Talks Exclusive From left, Brooklyn draftees Leroy Barnes, Dalton Narine and the late Kenneth Edwards Veterans Day Embraces 2 Trinis who served in Vietnam and elsewhere Narine: “What are you thinking?” They’re all gone (A thousand-yard stare wells up) “How did it go?”  We went in and … it was an ambush.  I held his hand.  It was sappy.  His voice sad.  “Gone, all gone.” Jesus Christ , my first day in Nam.  I tried to console a warrior, but he walked away.  Heaven knows where to.  I wanted to help pack the body bags, but I couldn’t take it.  It is Veterans Day in the USA, and Gerry Carter and myself relish the moment, the longing for memory of that badass Vietnam War. Veterans Day  is intended to honor and thank all military personnel who served the United States in all wars, particularly living  veterans .  It is marked by parades an...
Read more

Emily Lemmerman - Educator, Composer, Performing Aritist and Panist - Women's Month - Their Voice, Their Life, Their Dreams, Their Passion, Their Story

-
Image
  When Steel Talks - Reboot Meet Emily Lemmerman - Austin, Texas Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form Emily Lemmerman Texas, USA - “Every band, every yard, every bandleader is different. I try to pay close attention to these differences- I find them very interesting, and I try to find something useful from each experience to share and elevate other bands I work with. “In Universities in the US, directors tend to spend much more time talking, rely on scores more often than not, and practice always has a defined start- and end-time. Rehearsals are very controlled, centralized, and you are expected to know your notes before rehearsal begins. Americans in Trinidad often feel like Panorama rehearsals are confused and chaotic, but they are just not accustomed to how notes are passed around. What sounds like chaos is often effective rehearsal – it’s the sound of 100 panists learning new notes at the same time. “I’ve been to lots of different yards, and experienced many Panorama ...
Read more