Pan 4 Life - When Steel Talks Steelpan - Blog

Terry Joseph Speak - Tells it like it is!

2007-03-29T20:40:00.000-04:00

An Exclusive Interview

Terry Joseph is one of Trinidad and Tobago's cultural resource founts. Having worn many hats, from the well-known entertainment editor at one of Trinidad and Tobago's national newspapers, to his current undertaking as producer of the recent Panyard Sensations, Mr. Joseph has practically seen and heard it all. Always, insightful, informative and thought-provoking - Terry Joseph shares his thoughts on the recently-concluded Panyard Sensations, and some critical steelpan related-issues in this When Steel Talks Exclusive interview.

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Clive Bradley In Video

2007-03-26T12:52:00.000-04:00

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The Greatest Steel Orchestras On 'YouTube' Channel

2007-03-12T11:32:00.000-04:00

The Greatest Steel Orchestras On 'YouTube' Channel

When Steel Talks will feature great performances from steel orchestras all over the world on our YouTube Channel. Some have already been featured on our own web site, and now When Steel Talks looks forward to expanding the performances to the additional global audience on YouTube.

New performances will be added regularly.

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New Dimension Steel Orchestra in the "Pan Classics" Performance Spotlight

2007-03-12T11:15:00.000-04:00

Hailing from Grenada, New Dimension is one of the finest steel orchestras in the Caribbean. They are led by the charismatic, talented, respected musician and composer/arranger - David "Peck" Edwards. Equally comfortable in any genre of music, New Dimension is equally adept and at home on the panorama stage, as it is in the World Steelband music festival delivering the subtleties of a classical piece.

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Steel Pannist Andy Narell Speaks on Latest Project Tatoom - Music for Steel Orchestra

2007-03-05T16:33:00.000-05:00

Steel Pannist Andy Narell Speaks on Latest Project Tatoom - Music for Steel Orchestra

Andy Narell has been on a fascinating musical journey with the steelpan instrument for more than 4 decades. In a recent interview exclusive with When Steel Talks, Andy shares his thoughts on his latest musical offering named "tatoom" on the Heads Up International label.

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One Million Dollars (US) for New York Panorama Winner

2007-03-05T16:30:00.000-05:00

One Million Dollars (US) for New York Panorama Winner

New York - And why not? When Steel Talks has previously called for that first prize and much more for New York's pannists in competition. New York is, after all, the entertainment, media and financial capital of the world. The Big Apple always sees itself as a global artistic and cultural leader. And as quietly as it's kept, the steel orchestras of New York have been spear-heading and carrying the flame for the most vibrant, inventive, creative and socially significant music performing arts-based movement in the USA. The challenge in 2007 is for the managements of the New York steel orchestras to get their act together, and secure not only competent leadership, but also an able and progressive producer/promoter who can deliver the goods and take advantage of the vast talent the young people possess, in a time when NY is culturally and financially flourishing.

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All Female Steelpan Ensemble

2007-03-05T16:27:00.000-05:00

A "First" in Botswana's History

Botswana - Friday 23rd February, 2007 will long be remembered in the lives of 14 new students of Rainbow High School in Gaborone, Botswana.

The group made history by performing before their peers in the school's weekly assembly. They did this after only six weeks - following their registering for steelpan music as an extra-curricular activity. All but two of the budding pannists had played the traditional marimbas at primary school level.

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Unheard Voices The Rise of Steelband and Calypso in the Caribbean and North America

2007-03-05T16:20:00.000-05:00

Just Published...

The Rise of Steelband and Calypso in the Caribbean and North America

A. Myrna Nurse

Originating in the 1930s, the steelband (a.k.a. steelpan) movement began in the Caribbean, was transplanted to and grew in North America, and has transcended the boundaries of class, race, and gender. Based on a compilation of narratives from Caribbean and American members of the steelband movement, Unheard Voices: The Rise of Steelband and Calypso in the Caribbean and North America traces the history of this unique percussion invention of the twentieth century.

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The 2007 Panorama Championship Title is His - and Trinidad All Stars Arranger Leon 'Smooth' Edwards, One Day After

2007-02-22T20:45:00.000-05:00

Trinidad - When Steel Talks spoke with a quietly delighted Leon 'Smooth' Edwards, winning arranger for the prestigious 2007 Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama Championship on the Sunday after the competition. Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra's execution of his arrangement of De Fosto's Pan Lamentation earned the orchestra the ultimate title of panorama champions - in addition to a one-million dollar (TT) prize purse, simultaneously denying the defending champions Phase II Pan Groove their much-desired hat trick.

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Hat Trick Eludes Len 'Boogsie' Sharpe

2007-02-22T20:44:00.000-05:00

Trinidad - In the aftermath of a successful and historic Panorama finals staged for the first time ever, outside of its traditional home at the Queen's Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain, Withfield Weekes - Chairman, Pan Trinbago, South/Central region looked back on the Saturday February 17 event with a sense of accomplishment. Working in tandem with the office of San Fernando Mayor Kenneth Ferguson, Alderman Junia Regrello, who is also the captain of Skiffle Bunch Steel Orchestra, and the Pan Trinbago executive headed by Patrick Arnold, who were all responsible for the 'infrastructural' arrangements, Weekes and his crew took charge of the timely arrival of participating bands and the efficient transition from band to band throughout the evening at Skinner Park in San Fernando.

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Withfield Weekes, Chairman, Pan Trinbago South/Central

2007-02-22T20:42:00.000-05:00

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Technology and Panorama 2007 - Jamar Technologies Star

2007-02-22T20:41:00.000-05:00

Trinidad & Tobago Steelband Panorama 2007

Trinidad - It has only been a few years since When Steel Talks jolted the media fraternity and people around the globe when we utilized the latest technologies to publish the panorama finals scores for the world, with accompanying pictures and full stories - before many of the panorama attendees had even begun to leave the Savannah. We even took the then-veteran Trinidadian entertainment editor Terry Joseph by utter surprise, and he remarked in one of his columns 'how shocked he was after getting home from the Savannah' to find full coverage, with audio clips, pictures and articles awaiting him on the internet. That simple move changed the concept of time in which the world has become accustomed to having the results available after the panorama competition. Of course, now wireless internet access is commonplace even at the Savannah, and we were occasionally able to publish live from the event a couple of years later.

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Trinidad All Stars

2007-02-22T20:35:00.000-05:00

Trinidad All Stars Win 2007 Panorama Title Sound Specialists of Laventille Crowned Medium Champs First Ever in South - One Million TT First Prize Trinidad & Tobago Trinidad & Tobago Steelband Panorama 2007

Trinidad - Trinidad All Stars captures steelpan music's most prestigious title / Champions of the Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama Large band category

In a hotly contested contest, Trinidad All Stars bested defending champions Phase II Pan Groove by two points - 288.5 to the latter's 286.5. The 2007 panorama champs played De Fosto's Pan Lamentation as their tune of choice, while Phase II used their arranger Len 'Boogsie' Sharpe's original composition Sharing Licks. This event was historic on many levels; it was the first panorama held outside of the traditional venue of Queen's Park Savannah in Port-of -Spain - Skinner Park in San Fernando, south Trinidad. Additionally, the first prize payout was one million TT (USD 159K) to the winning band. Total prize monies for the 2007 Panorama season will be in the millions of dollars tt when all summed up.

In the medium category, Sound Specialists of Laventille came from behind to secure that division's first place position with a score of 279. Favored Tobago-based band Dixieland who led the pack going into the finals, had to be satisfied with, what had to be for them, a disappointing fourth place. Defending champions Sforzata were prevented from scoring a hat trick with a 2007 win, and finished in third place overall.

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Who is Ralph Ramsey?

2007-01-11T14:37:00.000-05:00

Who is Ralph Ramsey? And why is this entrepreneur so important to Steelpan and Caribbean music?

New York - Who is Ralph Ramsey? And why is he one of the most important young figures in today's entertainment world - as it relates in particular to the promotion of live steelpan music performances? This young entrepreneur, in a relatively short time has found a niche within the entertainment industry and is intellectually and brilliantly strategizing and fueling his own engine. He is simultaneously creating the highway or route for that vehicle, by tapping into the global rising phenomenon/interest in the steelpan music and instrument.

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BP Renegades Awards Ceremony and Dinner

2007-01-09T14:25:00.000-05:00

Address by Michael Joseph, PRO, Pan Trinbago

Trinidad - Mr. Chairman, honored guests, leaders and members of the BP Renegades Steel Orchestra, other members of the Steelpan fraternity, friends and supporters. The pleasure is mine this evening, to bring fraternal greetings to each and every one gathered here on behalf of the President of Pan Trinbago Mr. Patrick Arnold, who had asked that I express his regrets at not being here with you, matters beyond his control.

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The Caribbean Steel International Orchestra performs at EMMAS Festival in Olbia, Sardinia

2007-01-09T14:11:00.000-05:00

The Caribbean Steel International Orchestra performs at EMMAS Festival in Olbia, Sardinia

Sardinia, Italy - The Caribbean Steel International Orchestra was invited to perform at the Ethnic Meeting of Music and Arts (EMMAS) in Olbia, Sardinia during the weekend of the 29th- 31st December 2006. Olbia is situated in northeastern Sardinia and means a "happy town" (città felice). In the 60's, Olbia underwent a real demographical boom and extensive tourism development of the area. Nowadays, the city's population is over 50,000 and extends over a surface bigger than the city of Sassari - the capital of province. This expansion has been achieved thanks partially to Olbia's harbour, which has become the most important port for passengers in Italy, and partially because of its international airport. Olbia is not only a destination for vacationers passing through the Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast); it has become a true tourist location able to satisfy even the needs of the most demanding.

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2007 Trinidad & Tobago Panorama Finals To Be Held In Southern Trinidad

2007-01-09T13:58:00.000-05:00

~ Destination San Fernando ~ 2007 Trinidad & Tobago Panorama Finals To Be Held In Southern Trinidad

Michael Leroi Joseph of Pan Trinbago Speaks

Trinidad - The positions being stated by certain steelband leaders about the Panorama Finals being held in Skinner’s park in San Fernando do not surprise me one bit. Being around the movement as long as I have and listening to some of the leaders talk in public and in private, I knew that steelbandsmen were still in a dogfight and it will take us some time to rise to the occasion. What is this occasion? Steelbands have become big business all over the world except in T&T. Today people are leaving universities and joining the steel pan industry, making it their career. But here in the land of its birth we fighting year after year over a competition that is taking us nowhere. It’s a dead end situation.

It is time we look rationally at the real position in which we find ourselves. How many bands really benefit from Panorama? After six to eight weeks of sacrifice the majority of steelbands end up down-spirited and dejected in their panyards long before Ash Wednesday.

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The Year In Review - 2006

2006-12-31T19:52:00.000-05:00

Global - It's been a very interesting year for pan, globally speaking. The face of pan is getting younger and more diversified. Furthermore the talent and skill level are increasing sharply. When Steel Talks (WST) has been fortunate to be able to communicate and meet with people from all walks of life (professionals, hobbyists, pan 'lifers', beginners, educators, students and fans), who are connected to the steelpan instrument and are literally from almost every sector of the world. All have in common, an undying enthusiasm for the instrument and art form.

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ANNA RAFFOUL Steelband Personality of The Year

2006-12-31T19:47:00.000-05:00

ANNA RAFFOUL Steelband Personality of The Year

Global - Our steelband personality award of the year goes to Mrs. Anna Raffoul, president of the Dominica Steelband Association. Anna Raffoul achieved through sheer determination and innovation, a steelband first in Dominica, W.I. She, along with her handpicked helpers and resources, organized and hosted the highly-successful inaugural OECS Junior Pan competition in Dominica this past April - with absolutely no intervention from her country's government. Mrs. Raffoul and her staff oversaw the efficacious mobilization and attendance of competitors from several other Caribbean islands.

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Carriers of The Steelband Flag

2006-12-31T19:35:00.000-05:00

Steelband Flag Men and Flag Women: Honorable Mention for The Year

Global - Those steelband people who merit very special mention for the year are the flag bearers of all the world's steelbands - more commonly referred to as the 'flag woman' or 'flag man.'

The role of the Carrier of The Flag is deeply rooted in tradition and history. It is a special, time-honored position that requires confidence, grace and skill. When Steel Talks takes a special look at those who carried the flag at this year's 2006 Trinidad & Tobago steelband music panorama, in video and pictures.

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CASYM Steel Orchestra Joins Pan Classics

2006-12-23T16:54:00.000-05:00

Recently New York's 2006 Panorama Champions held their annual 'Carols and Steel' concert. Click on link to see why they are one of North America's best. Click for to see full performances

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Special NY Panyard DVD 2005 Available

2006-12-23T16:34:00.000-05:00

New York - 2005 was a year marked by historic highs and tragic lows for the Pan community. On panorama night, the late great Clive Bradley made history by achieving a feat never before accomplished. The bands for which he arranged placed first and second. Sadly, the joy would later turn to grief with the tragic news of his passing less than three months later.

Basement Recordings Productions presents NY Panyards 2005 which includes the final panyard recordings of Master Arranger Clive Bradley. Also included on this 2-Disc DVD set are arrangements by Pelham Goddard, Yohan Popwell, Arddin Herbert, Brian "Bean" Griffith, and Freddie Harris, III & Andy Akiho. The arrangements are performed by Pantonic, D'Radoes, Sonatas, CASYM, Marsicans, Crossfire and Sesame Flyers.

As an added bonus, this double-DVD package includes on the second disc, an exclusive one hour-long sit-down interview with Clive Bradley, Pelham Goddard and Yohan Popwell, and provides insight into the minds of these accomplished arrangers. The interview is historical, prophetic, educational and at times emotionally gut-wrenching, as we listen to and experience the humor, knowledge and fascinating episodes in the life of Clive Bradley that the master himself shares with us. That it takes place only a few weeks before Mr. Bradley pulls of one of his career's greatest musical feats, make this interview all the more remarkable. It takes place at Basement Recordings studios where almost every prominent, notable - or soon to be - steelband music figure has graced.

NY PANYARDS 2005 is part of the continuing series of stellar video and audio recordings by Basement Productions that provide a historical, educational and cultural perspective - without diminishing the entertainment value and musical integrity of the performers and performances.

NY Panyards is ideally suited for music educators, students, ethnomusicologists, music libraries, fine music collectors, historians and steelpan enthusiasts who are looking to experience authentic, passionate steelband performances without compromise as endorsed, validated, created and performed by the masters.

NY Panyards 2005 captures the spirit, pressure, fire and joy, and creative genius born out of the necessity of panorama competition, as can only be experienced within the sacred refuge of the steelbands and steelpan musicians - the "panyard". Basement Recordings again captures the sonic and visual components of the performances with unmatched clarity and fidelity, bringing the viewing and listening audience into the bowels of the New York panyards in a manner that allows you the reality of tasting and 'living' the panyard atmosphere and experience.

Indeed, it is a remarkable people who consistently overcome outside despair and hostility with the unique ability to conquer and transform their environment into a musical oasis (the panyard). The NY Panyard 2005 DVD again showcases a true working cultural melting pot, as we view and listen to the results of an open invitation that is extended to and readily accepted by, people of all ages and backgrounds, religions, nationalities and social status - to join the New York Steelbands in their annual arduous journey towards this (illogical, to some) musical summit called panorama.

That New York's Panyards can continue to produce musical gems that are of equal value in stature to the works of the Armstrongs, Bachs, Brahms, Ellingtons, Chopins, Gordon Parks, Monets, Picassos, Rembrandts and Beethovens (in terms that they can transform such an unfriendly milieu) is a testament to the timeless human spirit to engage, overcome and conquer, and enrich their time and space - to make better the human condition through the arts.

This DVD is a must for anyone looking for a deeper understanding of one of the greatest social, cultural and musical phenomena of the 20^th century, in addition as to why the steelband artform is currently sweeping the globe.

Click here to order your copy of NY Panyards 2005.

full story and video

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Meyer Levin Annual Winter Concert Artists Play to Packed House

2006-12-23T16:32:00.000-05:00

Steelbands, Chorus, Musicians & Dancers put on Gala Event

New York - The Performing Arts Center at Meyer Levin's Junior High School I.S. 285 was transformed into a musical mecca for the educational institution's annual Winter Concert. Located in Brooklyn, New York, Meyer Levin's student body put on an event chock full of music and dance. A program displaying the talents of the Mixed Chorus, Senior Concert Band, Sixth Grade Chorus, dancers, and steelbands from the school's sixth, seventh and eighth grades, along with the Higher Levin Steel Orchestra - played to an auditorium with standing room only. Proud mamas and papas, along with family, friends and well-wishers had turned out in force for this particular calendar event. The Master and Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening were principal Edward Gentile and assistant principal Denise Holder (pictured), respectively. The former would return in the unadvertised role of surprise vocalist later on in the program.

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Main Orchestra, Classes I, II delight Christmas Crowd

2006-12-23T16:29:00.000-05:00

Carols & Classics at CASYM's Christmas Concert

New York - CASYM (Caribbean American Sports & Cultural Youth Movement, Inc.) hosted more than three hours of great entertainment for the season under the leadership of long-time arranger Arddin Herbert, with their third Annual Christmas "Carols & Classics" Concert at the Brooklyn Museum, in Brooklyn, New York. For those who were savvy enough to put the weekend event in their calendar, they came out winners all the way. As one attendee was overheard commenting after the show "I didn't intend to come. I was not coming at all. But I am so glad I made the effort! It was fantastic!" The lady in question was merely giving voice to what surely must have been on the lips and in the minds of others who took in the concert. full story

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CASYM's Jewels Shine

2006-12-23T16:25:00.000-05:00

Third Annual "Carols and Classics" at the Brooklyn Museum

New York - CASYM Steel Orchestra has a special relationship with New York City. For over twenty-three years CASYM has provided academic and cultural youth activities to the New York metropolitan area with particular emphasis on the Crown Heights, Flatbush and East Flatbush areas. Moreover, the organization has a very special relationship with the thousands of young people, parents and supporters who have been associated with this institution. full story

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