Hello

BAS’s media machinery continues its mission in getting the laborious work performed by pannists, arrangers, tuners and management promoted globally to its world audience. The struggle of recognition for the instrument and all involved with this art form has been a long and difficult journey that still has a long way to go. Pan Podium welcomes the day when you can visit your local HMV or Virgin outlets and readily purchase steel pan music. How wonderful it would be to visit a music store and acquire a steel pan instrument, to see pans on display with guitars, pianos, keyboards, drum kits etc. This is the vision and the dedication, determination and commitment of all those involved with this art form will one day see the global pan family reap the fruits of their labour.

2007 has seen BAS’s member bands continue to promote steelband music through their numerous events in the UK and abroad - Gateshead, Portsmouth, Leicester, Reading, London, Wycombe, Germany and Africa to name a few. Our annual Trafalgar Square Steelband Jamboree was again a success and we now look forward to the Junior Panorama, National ‘Champions of Steel ‘Panorama, Jouvert and Tropical Rhythms Best Band on the Road competitions. This will be followed by our Future Development Forum’s ‘Mix it Up’ fun day and Pan Explosion competition. Our annual Awards on the 1st December will bring the curtains down on BAS events for 2007.

2008 will see BAS’s initiatives of regional committees and pan tuning/maintenance workshops being firmly implemented with new ones being considered in the interest of the continued development of the art. Pan Podium magazine and website continues to keep abreast of changes ensuring that they are both effective, efficient and continues to be a world leader. Pan Podium continues to work closely with our global media partners to ensure that we continue to aspire and achieve in unity.

Pan 4 Life!
Robbie J

CONTENTS● ● ●

• 3 Message from BAS Chairman
  BAS continued to identify and develop key strategies to further promote steel band music and culture not only throughout the UK but also, in partnership with key strategic partners, worldwide...

• 4 Contents

• Message From the Editor

• 8 Rainbow Steelband’s 50th Anniversary
  From Barbados to Bath – Rainbow’s journey over the past fifty years.

• 10 Newham Blockorama
  Gillett Square was the venue for this all steelband event
   

• 12 Shern Hall Methodist Youth Steelband
  After only one year this group has shown that they can be the new East London musical sensation.
   

• 14 Harlem Syncopators
  Filling the Trinidad Single Pan competition with sweet steelband music since 1999.
   

• 16 Gunwharf’s Pan Extravaganza
  Steel pan was the centre of attention for two days in Portsmouth’s Gunwharf quays.
   

• 18 Engine Room Collective Concerts
  featuring some of the UK young, gifted and aspiring musicians.
   

• 20 Danish Panorama
  the 3rd panorama in three years, so event is still in its beginning.
   

• 22 Earl Rodney
  the grandfather of steelpan.
   

• 24 Slavery to Steelband
  the journey of the people and the evolution of their music.
   

• 27 Readers Letters
   

• 28 Codrington Pan Family
  the Codrington Pan Family is popular and has brought tremendous exposure to the astounding beauty of steel music.
   

• 30 Entertainment Reviews
   

• 31 Rotterdam Carnival 2K7
  the Beach party, Battle of the Drums and parade of the bands.
   

• 32 Trafalgar Square Pan Jamboree
  bringing the sweet sound of steel to this iconic London location.
   

• 34 Leicester Steelband Festival
  Leicestershire hosted its first ever all Steelpan event.
   

• 35 Miles Pascall
  Miles of pan, the journey has just started.
   

• 36 Nostalgia in Hamburg
  performing at one of Germany largest street festivals.
   

• 38 Ezekiel Biggs Yearwood
  He arrived in Britain in 1965, and soon after he decided on a pan tuning career after striking up a friendship with Gerald Forsyth.
   

• 40 Iman and Pan
  At a mere twenty years old, she is a veteran steelpan musician of more than fifteen years.
   

• 42 Notting Hill Panorama 2K7 Champions of Steel
  this competition has been in existence since 1974 and now it will be held in Hyde Park for the first time.
   

• 44 Fantastics Steelband
  Fantastics Steelband from the town of Nagata, Kobe in Japan was founded to rejuvenate the town after the Hanshin and Awaji earthquakes hit Kobe.
   

• 46 Flag Woman
  deeply rooted in tradition and history is the role of the steel band flag carrier. It is a special time-honored position that requires confidence, grace and skill.
   

• 48 Pans and Roses Steelband
  five enthusiastic ladies whose passions include playing the steel pan.
   

• 50 The Steel Pan Academy is Born
  Promting the Steel Pan Art Form in Coventry and Warwickshire

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