BAS 7th ANNUAL AWARDS

BAS 7^th ANNUAL AWARDS

United Kingdom - The British Association of Steelbands 7^th Annual Awards was hosted at the Holiday Inn, Bloomsbury on the 3^rd December 2005. This event was established in 1999 to recognise and celebrate the contributions of individuals and groups within the steelpan community. Since its inception, the event has grown in stature and has established itself in the UK Community’s calendar.

Guests included her Excellency, Glenda Morean-Phillip – High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago, London Notting Hill Carnival Limited Directors – Chris Boothman and Debi Gardner, Dr Andrew Ramroop and Mr Gerald Forsyth who held office in the GLC as Instrumental Organiser and by 1990 was responsible for pan being part of their curriculum in over 160 schools across London. He highlighted the artform as the perfect machinery for bringing together the UK’s diverse population and for reflecting and promoting the culture of Trinidad and Tobago.

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''Classical Caribbean Christmas" - CASYM

CASYM ''Classical Caribbean Christmas"

New York - The night belonged to the Caribbean American Sports and Cultural Youth Movement (CASYM) Steel Orchestra, the parents, the players and the steelpan instrument. CASYM held its annual "Classical Caribbean Christmas" at the world famous Brooklyn Museum. The capacity crowd was treated to a very special show. For two hours the audience witnessed an exceptional and entertaining show that showcased the talent, and teaching ability of the members of CASYM.

CASYM showed again why it is one of the most successful youth organizations in the country. For over twenty years the multifaceted youth-oriented organization demonstrated the power of pan to motivate, provide options, provide exposure, discipline, access to skills, education, and high achievement through culture and education. Moreover, ninety percent of their program participants graduate from college with degrees. Indeed, CASYM proudly boasts about its members who stared as youths in the group and now have college and advanced degrees.

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Silver Stars have 'Star' Quality and a Winning Formula

Silver Stars have 'Star' Quality

and a Winning Formula

Trinidad - Silver Stars not only have had the right idea for a number of years, but they have kept on using the same winning formula on an annual basis around the festive season in Trinidad and Tobago. This year their Parang and Steel series is in its fifteenth year, and remains immensely popular with the upper middle class in Trinbagonian society. December 17 will be the final in the six Saturday nights of Parang and Steel.

The night of December 3^rd was yet another one in the steel orchestra's super successful musical series. Each weekend, the Silver Stars stage side of pan musicians performs two sets, along with their invited guest artistes. This time around, one-time Calypso Queen of the World, Denyse Plummer joined the line-up. A consummate performer, Plummer engendered crowd involvement from the beginning of her time on stage, and included musical favorites such as Mih Lover and Nah Leaving, and an old-time medley of Jean and Dinah, Last Train to San Fernando, Rum and Coca-Cola.

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Oasis Youth Steel Pan Ensemble

Oasis Youth Steel Pan Ensemble in conjunction with

Pan United Youth Movement ''Annual Holiday Celebration"

Newark, New Jersey - Oasis Youth Steel Pan Ensemble, part of the Oasis Folk Arts Academy program directed by Bevan Black, proudly held it's first annual holiday celebration this past Sunday. Parents, family members and well-wishers crowded into the meeting room/auditorium of the spacious facility that was previously an area hospital which closed its doors eight years ago. It was subsequently acquired by Drs. Clyde Pemberton and Trevor Atherley and put to use as the New United Center, a meeting place for social and cultural activities for area residents, as they give back to the community. Pemberton shared some heart-felt words with the audience, and thanked them for their support of the young people, and being part of his own dream of community outreach.

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NY Panyards 2005 - In Review

NY Panyards 2005

In Review

By Sherwin Thwaites

When asked to review Panyards 2005, at first I was very apprehensive. As a musician, (particularly an arranger) we tend to become attached and very protective of our piece of work. Therefore, it becomes hard to accept criticisms from outsiders who don’t know the work from it’s inception..

Now let’s review. The great thing about Panyards is that the bands are playing at nice slow to medium tempos . Therefore, it makes it easier to hear each section with clarity . I’m not sure if the recording was mixed in Pro Tools or some other high-end recording medium , but audibly it is pristine. I think the technique used is called the ‘box in one technique’. This technique makes each section sound clear and still gives you that grumble of a big band without harming the integrity of the recording.

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Thanks For The Music -- Clive Bradley

Thanks For The Music -- Clive Bradley

R.Pope

-Through the eyes of those who knew him-

I know it been said already For those of us who live and breathe this music What else is there to say! It’s not like I didn’t thank you personally. Remember that night, Trini to the bone was sizzling. Yeah! That night I thanked you for all the music. You have given us so much Like a dream that haunts, I still hear Party tonight Just like Desperadoes played it at festival, Cause I was there that night, suited up in rival colors. Knowing after hearing them that we were under-prepared. Yes man, begrudgingly I thanked you for the Music.

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Bradley's Greatness Signed, Sealed and Delivered

Bradley's Greatness Signed, Sealed and Delivered

-Through the eyes of those who knew him-

It is taken for granted these days that all the faults of everyone are held under a microscope for everyone to examine. And so it was that while on the plane returning from the burial of Clive Bradley, the sadness still fresh in my heart like a new coat of paint, I learned there were some who chose to write about the alleged circumstances of Mr. Bradley’s death. It can hardly have been unexpected, but I confess to having been a little shocked that without the benefit of an autopsy report, and with a most irrelevant photograph of the man’s grieving children such things could be printed under the guise of “news”.

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The Jammer For Bradley

The Jammer For Bradley

by - Dawad Philip-

Renegades have lit their candles in the night for Nosey in Brooklyn, and on the hill by Desperadoes for Bradley, who made his music canticles against the guns of Laventille. Overlooking Calvary, he caressed his muse and ventured where only the brave dare and whisperers bubble a black spoon..

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