New York - Once again Sesame Flyers International
Cultural Center was the focus of another edifying and
inspiring steelpan music experience. Indeed it was one of
those "you should have been there" type of activities.
The event, referred to as the "Historical Images of the
Steelband Movement" operated under the auspices of the
Trinidad and Tobago Folk Arts Institute led by
Mr. Les Slater. Mr. Kim Johnson of the University of
Trinidad and Tobago delivered his presentation to the capacity
crowd which had assembled at the Sesame Flyers facility in
Brooklyn, New York.
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Kim Johnson (center) and Sesame Flyers International
Exectutives |
The
presentation was anchored by a series of historical
photographs that, when presented in the cohesive, linear
manner as Mr. Johnson has assembled, provides the viewer with
a seldom-experienced voyage of the evolution of the steelpan
music instrument, movement and characters. Mr.
Johnson is the senior research fellow of the Academy of
Arts, Letters, Cultural and Public Affairs at the University
of Trinidad and Tobago. The one hundred photos viewed
at this colloquium are a portion of the collection of photos
Mr. Johnson has accumulated for his in-progress project
entitled the "National Pan History Project".
Through Mr. Johnson's live and interactive narration, a
wealth of information and insight into the timeline,
background, and environment surrounding each photo was
provided. An understanding of the political and social
conditions surrounding and impacting each image was critical to fully
appreciating the valued information each photograph afforded
the viewers. Never-before-seen photographs of the
steelband movement, starting from the early 1940s made up the
images. Many of these treasured historical photos Mr.
Johnson showcased are from private and sometimes discarded
albums. It is these images which precipitated and
fostered the discussion of everything
from the implementation of harmonic tuning of the steelpan, to the government work
programs which were part of the social fabric of the
respective time period, and by extension, the steelband
community.
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Kim Johnson (left) and Keith Marcell (Manager
Sesame Flyers Steel Orchestra) |
Rarely
are members of the steelpan music community afforded the
opportunity to affirm their knowledge and
contributions to this fantastic society in an academic
setting within the pan communities. Sesame Flyers
International and Mr. Slater are to be commended for
facilitating this occasion. Mr. Johnson provided
this opportunity through his delivery style and openness to
allow the audience the chance to express their direct
connection with what was being shown and discussed.
This enhanced the educational experience of this meeting to
immeasurable proportions. Furthermore, the attendees
relived a valued part of their life's experience and
existence. Indeed one of the attendees was quite
pleased to recognize himself as a young boy standing in a picture
of one of the early steelbands some forty years ago.
The audience left this event entertained,
educated and empowered with the knowledge that they had
witnessed and experienced a very critical beginning to
documentation process of the creative, inventive and genius of the
people of steelpan movement from it's inception to present.
The large congregation of retired and current pan men and
supporters who exhibited a thirst for this information and
recognition is in itself undeniable and historical.
Mr. Johnson continues to look for
additional old photographs of steelbands and panmen from
private albums throughout Trinidad and Tobago and from the
US, Canada and Britain for the completion of this visual
tapestry of the steelpan movement. This presentation
is strongly recommended to any steelpan organization or
individuals or others who are interested, and looking to
experience an authentic and honest understanding of the
steelpan instrument, the history of the movement's people
and the instrument's deployment.
Contact Mr. Slater to schedule a
possible presentation at your facility.
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