United
Kingdom - Caribbean Steel International was originally formed in 2004 with
just three members.
After obtaining invaluable experience from working with some of the top steel
bands in the UK, Trinidad and Japan, they decided it would be a great idea to
form a small group to do gigs, owing to the demand for 3 or 4 piece steel bands. After ensuring that their small steel band was well established on the gigging
circuit, CSI founding members decided to start a community group that would
involve their local communities in the steel pan art form.
After investing a substantial amount of time and effort, Caribbean Steel
International (CSI) has opened a community group steel band in the Borough of
Hammersmith and Fulham in London. Their classes are aimed at giving the public
the opportunity of learning about, and how to play, the unique instrument that
is the steel pan.
CSI
had a great opportunity to play at Lords’ for the first cricket test match between
England and the West Indies at the beginning of May 2009. This was truly a
wonderful experience for CSI as it was their first appearance at this venue, and
they are hoping that it will be on an ongoing basis for similar events at the iconic
Lords’ cricketing venue. Their performance was well received by all in
attendance.
The crowd found it very entertaining, dancing and performing the limbo dance to
CSI’s repertoire of Rally ’Round the West Indies, Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot and a
medley of calypsonian the Mighty Sparrow’s songs. The warm weather also added to the ambience
of the event - even though the West Indies cricket team was not victorious.
CSI is currently very busy practicing for their upcoming trip to Almere in
Holland where they will perform at the Afrique-Carib Festival in July 2009.
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Contact the CSI steel orchestra:
Tel
- Brent
Holder at 07932 400166
email
csicommunitygroup@gmail.com
To find out more about CSI:
http://www.csisteelband.com;
http://www.myspace.com/csicommunitygroup
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