Steelpan Music News - History and Culture

Leah Wilson June 16th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Leah Wilson “*Sigh and smile* Bass is BAE! I must admit when I first was introduced to steel pan, from an optical perspective the bass was the pan I did NOT want to play. It looked so “obzocky” and “cumbersome.” Then I was left no option but to play the 6 bass and I was hesitant, but as soon as I played the first song I learned “Feeling hot hot hot” I knew that the bass and I would have an everlasting bond. This pan is truly my love.” --  Leah Wilson   It’s a serious love affair between her and her bass. You only have to watch her perform once and witness the joy and exuberance she has for the art form. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist Leah Wilson shares her reflections, experiences and views on Pan, and the steelpan art form overall. ...

by Garvin Blake Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra at Celebrate Brooklyn Provided with the expressed permission of: the Author Saturday, June 11 was etched on my calendar since BRIC released their Celebrate Brooklyn schedule in late April. Pan was again taking center stage at the borough's biggest and best summer festival. Adding to the anticipation, this spring the fabled outdoor performance space was renamed the Lena Horne Bandshell in honor of the Bedford-Stuyvesant-born singer, actress and civil rights activist. It’s been a few decades since Renegades turned Prospect Park upside down. This year it was Pan Evolution's (PESO) turn to shake-up Park Slope. With about ten pan players, bolstered by a rock-solid rhythm section, PESO presented a well-rehearsed set of reggae, R&B, Latin, soca and calypso that reverberated through the historic n...

Rudy 'Two Left' Smith  “In a career spanning six decades, alto steelpan player Rudy Smith has built a reputation exploring and bridging the world of Jazz with his native instrument, the steelpan; finding in each a sincere spirit of musical expression” Born on 15 June 1943 in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Rudy “Two Left” Smith migrated to Denmark in 1968 and established an impregnable niche as the impresario who introduced Pan-Jazz to the Diaspora, while simultaneously honing his unique style by embracing the great Jazz luminaries - Milt Jackson, Bobby Hutcherson, Oscar Peterson and John Coltrane. ( See bio )   Rudy Smith Quartet performing at Moods im Schiffbau  Zürich, Switzerland.  21st November 2007  Rudy Smith - Steelpan  Chris Wiesendanger - Grand Piano  Jonas Tauber - Contrabass  Dieter Ulrich - Drums  Video by Peter Krüsi Modern Sound Corporation Live 1978 - with Rudy Smith Relevant co...

  Seion Gomez June 14th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Seion Gomez  Champion steelband panorama arranger Seion Gomez is an educator, champion steelband panorama arranger and steelpan performing artist. Hailing from the twin Caribbean island country of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Gomez is a successful representative of the new generation of talented steelpan music musicians carrying on the great tradition of their predecessors. In this exclusive When Steel Talks interview, Seion shares his experiences at Northern Illinois University, his influences, thoughts and advice for future panists, and expectations for the steelpan music genre. See Interview Related content: Seion Gomez - arranger bio ...

  Shane McDonald June 14th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Shane McDonald  Related content: Shane McDonald with Pantonic Steel Orchestra - My House

Mathieu Borgne See more, get results

Mathieu Borgne Global -  From twenty-four, to twenty, to ten steelpan final night artists. And then there was one. PanoGrama 2022 champion Mathieu Borgne from France copped first place, ultimately besting his twenty-three co-competitors. Borgne afforded the audience and judges a unique interpretation of  Donna Lee  by Charlie Parker on his double seconds. Borgne’s prize takeaway includes USD $1,000.00, a trip to the Bahamas courtesy that country’s Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, a Perfect Steel-branded tenor pan, and a private session with a world-renowned steel panist. see more, get results

James Leyden Birthday - June 12 "Formed and wrote charts for"Calliope's Children", one of the first High School steel bands in the US. Introduced Ellie to the strobe tuner and worked exstensively with him on harmonic and overtone concepts. Toured with "C's C" in Romania (1975) and Poland and Russia (1977) . In 1985 established with Ellie the Haystack Steel Drum Summer Workshop (Cannon Beach, OR). Instructor at Mannette Steel Drum Workshop (Morgantown, WVA) 1995-1998. Founded Hillbridge Music (Your Steel Drum Music Source) in 1996. Inaugurated the Steel Band in School and Community at the Villanova (Univ) Summer Music Program and a similar program at the University of Delaware directed by Harvey Price." -- James Leyden Calliope’s Children Orchestra  photo provide by the ...

  Global - The final ten steelpan musicians who moved forward from the 2022 Panograma semi-finals have their performances as finalists streamed at 8:00 p.m. AST (Atlantic Standard Time) on June 12. Finals - Order of Appearance and Tune Selections Watch PanoGrama 2022 Finals

From  Zeebutime  on YouTube: “Really good to see this performance, as it was unique! Shame the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) saw fit not to broadcast it live on TV to the world as part of the Platinum Jubilee Parade. (Instead, they chose to show an interview with Ed Sheeran, while you could just hear the band playing in the background). “The band was supposed to play two songs, 'London Is The Place For Me' and 'Pan In A Minor', in honour of Lord Kitchener, who sang 'London Is The Place For Me', while still on the first boat, the HMT Empire Windrush (ironically a ship made in Germany), carrying people from the Caribbean en mass to migrate the UK, had docked in Tilbury Docks on the 22nd June 1948, but the producers of the parade cut the 10 minutes time allotted for the performance down to 5 minutes.  “The arranger, Andre White, had to merge the two songs into one! As you can see/hear, the performance is shown as starting during the introduction, as the BB...

  Trinidad & Tobago Newsday Speyside High Principal Alson Sylvester, left, and Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, centre, look on as Iran ‘Duce’ Anthony plays a note on one of the pans donated to the school last Friday Tobago, W.I. - Speyside High School Steel Orchestra received a generous donation of 38 steelpans on Friday courtesy Iran "Duce" Anthony. The donation was valued at around $130,000 and consisted of 11 tenor pans,18 bases, five cellos and four guitars. Anthony is well known in the pan fraternity as one of the founders of 1978 Mt Irvine  Bucconeers . He later formed his own panside in 2008,  Steel Explosion , and placed second in the National Panorama medium conventional bands category. ....Anthony, who makes and tunes his own pans, chose to donate the pans in homage to Rawle Titus who has a legacy at Speyside and has contributed tirelessly to where the band is today. see more

Mika Yoshida June 11th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Mika Yoshida  “Pan has turned a new page in my life. Coming to Trinidad made a pretty big impact on my way of thinking and lifestyle...”  Mika Yoshida In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Mika Yoshida shares her personal journey and perspective on the global reach and influence of the Steel Pan instrument, its music, and the art form on bridging cultures and enhancing the human experience. See Interview Related content: Meet Mika Yoshida - Japan

Shannon Mc David June 11th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Shannon Mc David Shannon Mc David   “I must say performing on a Panorama stage is the most invigorating experience. I feel such a thrill - like there’s an energy running through my veins the second the stick touches the pan. It’s like electricity. For me, playing pan (or music) is like entering a new world....While I’m playing I listen to everything from the iron man to the tenors; so every run, every drop, every hit of the iron drives me. I often laughed when people told me I was dancing out of time sometimes but I knew that I was dancing to someone else’s part.”  She is a scholar, an intellect, a serious practitioner of the performing arts. This, in addition to being a budding scientist and of course a panist, who knows a thing or two about winning Panorama performances - as a member of both the 2009 & 201...

 Sadé Adams June 11th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Sadé Adams Sadé Adams   She is confident in who she is, with a love for Pan and her own place within the steelband landscape. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - student and panist Sadé Adams shares her journey in Pan to date: her perspectives and dreams - unfiltered, all relative to the steelband art form. See Interview Related content: Meet Sadé Adams - New York, USA Sade Adams with Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra 

Anthony “Binks” James   June 10th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Anthony “Binks” James  Simply one of the finest tenor bass players of today See Interview Related content: Anthony “Binks” James in pictures

Billy Sheeder  June 10th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Billy Sheeder  See Interview Related content: Billy Sheeder - Steelpan Tuner - Bio

Heidi Paul June 10th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Heidi Paul “My vision for the steelpan is that someday it can be appreciated for its true value. I would love for steel pan players and arrangers to be household names just like Kenny G. It would be great to see it on the music charts.”   -- Heidi Paul     She is young, multi-talented and professional. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist, MBA candidate and scholar Heidi Paul shares her reflections, experiences and views on Pan, and the steelpan art form overall. See Interview Related content: Meet Heidi Paul - New York Heidi Paul with ADLIB Steel Orchestra - "Like Ah Boss" - Amrit Samaroo arranger

  Angel Lawrie June 10th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Angel Lawrie “With reference to using the steelpan instrument in working with those challenged by autism spectrum disorder and ADHD: “The steel drum is my number one choice of instrument with working with clients on the spectrum. I have worked with both adults and children. The steel drum allows me to physically help my clients transform as well as emotionally.....There is no doubt that the steel pan keeps the attention of my students. However, the steel pan also allows me to achieve success faster than a traditional instrument. I am able to reach a place of understanding and accomplishment with them rather comfortably  and then the rewards can continue to expand and grow.” ”   -- Angel Lawrie    Angel Lawrie has found her joy and life calling in the steelpan instrument. Whether performing live herself or changing ...

  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 ...

Michael Marcano The first School Steelband Music Festival was held in 1981, hosted by Pan Trinbago and sponsored by the organization’s profits from that year’s edition of Champs in Concert. The second edition of the biennial festival, in 1983, was sponsored by Textel. Michael Marcano, who was employed as a senior executive at Textel at the time, was the chief instigator and facilitator of that year’s School Festival sponsorship deal, which was also extended to the next edition of the Festival in 1985. Ardin Herbert, Duvonne Stewart, Liam Teague, Daren Sheppard, Clarence Morris and Michelle Huggins-Watts, amongst many others, were beneficiaries of the School Festival’s focus on scored orchestral arrangements and music literacy as students. The likes of Pat Bishop, Desmond Waithe, Merle Albino De Coteau and Marion-Anne Osbourne came onboard as adjudicators and concept advisers. Boogsie Sharp, Jit Samaroo, Godwin Bowen, Andre Tanker and Ovid Alexis composed original music to be used...

  Ashley Gateson-Amankwah June 8th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Ashley Gateson-Amankwah   “From my perspective I personally feel it (Panorama) is indeed a blessing. The people that I have met over the years, there is a likelihood I would never see again. I’ve got the chance to perform in front of thousands of people and to travel to places I never thought I’d visit. There is no better vibe or atmosphere in any other activity, like Panorama!”  --  Ashley Gateson-Amankwah   At an early age she fell in love with the steelpan instrument. Now an adult the love affair continues. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist and musical director Ashley Gateson-Amankwah shares her experiences and passion for the steelpan instrument, its music, the art form and more. ...

Jeston Lett   June 7th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Jeston Lett “Panorama some say has evolved, same for Soca, but I believe we misinterpret this as losing ourselves and identity. When bands can substitute good music with Showmanship, there’s a problem. And I know to this, many would disagree, but I say let the music do the work.”   -- Jeston Lett   In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - filmmaker, director and panist Jeston Lett shares his overall views on Pan, Panorama and more... See Interview Related content: Jeston Lett - Panist, Film Director, Videographer- speaks on Pan & Panorama Erphaan Alves - In Your Eyes - directed by Jeston Lett

When Steel Talks extends congratulations to all involved in the historical grand steel orchestra music production for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee outside Buckingham Palace on Sunday 5 June 2022. It was an awesome performance and an occasion with significant cultural and historical importance - particularly in recognition of the importance of the Windrush Generation. Performing the musical works of the late great calypsonian Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts) was very appropriate. Lord Kitchener himself was one of the most famous members of what has now been acknowledged and referred to as the historic “Windrush Generation.” One of the last surviving members of TASPO (Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra), Sterling Betancourt , had the honor of conducting UKASPO (UK All Steel Percussion Orchestra).  That was the name given the four steel-orchestra combination ( Ebony Steelband ,  Mangrove Steelb...

Debi Gardner  June 7th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Debi Gardner   “Playing pan and making music has been incredibly rewarding and has afforded me some amazing experiences but it’s the people that have kept me involved. I’ve played music by some of the world’s greatest arrangers, alongside some wildly talented musicians and incredible individuals. What else could I could do in this life that would allow me to meet the Sultan of Brunei, have friends in Japan and make arrangements with a two year old to go practice? My life is crazy but I really wouldn’t have it any other way.”  - Debi Gardner     United Kingdom - She is simply ready and can-do! Bringing the full package to the table - administrator, organizer and musician Debi Gardner talks about her fantastic journey with the Steelpan in an exc...

Steel Orchestra at Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee Concert What should have been one of the greatest moments in the history of the steelpan instrument in the United Kingdom, is now turning into a less than stellar occurrence  - as BBC allegedly pulled the plug on the  ‘ live ’  broadcast  / live streaming of the event with the world watching. A deeply disappointed and irate viewer posted his feeling on this behavior in the When Steel Talks forum. For those fans who have since seen the social media clips of the performance - it was indeed an awesome production. Relevant content: 100 steelpan players play for Her Majesty at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee - arranger André White

Israel McLeod  June 6th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Israel McLeod  In regard to Pan: "As a country it is still difficult for those outside of pan to appreciate that we are artistes who have a right to speak up on issues that concern our security, our health, issues of compensation and so forth.” The business of Pan is her business. Panist, PR and Marketing manager, Israel McLeod of Trinidad and Tobago - in an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - shares her experiences, intellect, insight and vision for the steelpan art form. Related content: Following Up: Israel McLeod - Trinidad and Tobago Meet Israel McLeod - Trinidad and Tobago  

Jordon Cato June 6th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Jordon Cato Related content:   Far From Finished - Jordon Cato with CASYM Steel Orchestra Another Basement Recordings production. Captured "live" at CASYM’s East Flatbush, Brooklyn Pan Yard days before the New York 2017 Panorama competition.. 100 CASYM steelpan musicians -- see the real story http://owl.li/J6pR30f5cEB Arranger - Kendall Williams Captain - Curtis Lynch Tuner - Andy A. Neils New York 2017 Panorama Tune of Choice: “Far From Finished” The Players 2017 Panorama Players List   Bass Section  Curtis Lynch Jalissa Alexander Kernell Sumon Kassandra Pierre Hanaa Butcher Alexis Schloss Ashley George Marlon Callender Warren Webster Malcolm Rice Kianna Carrington   Tenor Bass  Michelle Williams Nadia Joseph   Cello Section  Lakeisha Danglade Kenneth Dudley Johnathan Williams Joalene Griffith Jason Williams   ...

One hundred steelpan players drawn from four of the UK’s top steel bands will play for Her Majesty at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations at Buckingham Palace on Sunday 5 June. The combined steel band will be formed of 25 players from each of the four bands: Ebony Steelband, Mangrove Steel Orchestra, Croydon Steel Orchestra and Metronomes. Appropriately, in the centenary year of the Grandmaster’s birth, the music will be Pan in A Minor and London is the Place for Me by the late Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts), arranged by Andre White. Pans will be tuned by Birch Kelman and Dudley Dickson, and the musical director for the performance is to be Leon ‘Foster’ Thomas. Related content BBC allegedly throws serious “white-out” on one of UK steelbands’ finest moments - No Live Broadcast of Pan performance at Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Cathy Shaw with Philly Pan Stars Cathy Shaw  June 6th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Cathy Shaw  Related content: ‘Twas the night before J’Ouvert... A Steelpan Christmas Story    Cathy Shaw with Marsicans Steel Orchestra Cathy Shaw with Marsicans Steel Orchestra