Ebony Steel Orchestra
London,
UK
- 2010 marks the 32nd
anniversary
of the esteemed competition,
Champions
of Steel. Paddington Youth Steel Orchestra led by Zac Herbert was victorious in the initial competition held in 1978. Since that time this prestigious event which acts as a precursor to the main Notting Hill on-the-road celebrations, has grown in distinction from the wealth of steel band music and adept musicality of the musicians on offer.
Ebony Steel Band Trust has dominated this competition over the years winning eighteen times; capturing second place eight times and third place twice. This is a phenomenal achievement,
ranking them as the only steel band in the world to achieve this incomparable feat.
This year sees seven of the UK’s top steel bands in the finals to be held on Saturday 28th August at Horniman’s Pleasance, Kensal Road, London W10.
Owing to a lack of funding, the competition has returned to this venue after being hosted in the iconic Hyde Park for the past three years.
Mangrove
Steel
Orchestra
Croydon Steel Orchestra, Ebony, London All Stars, Mangrove, Metronomes, RASPO
and Real Steel will all be vying for the coveted title “Champions of Steel,” and
attempting to dethrone Ebony which has won the last three panoramas held in Hyde Park. This year the competent Samuel Du Bois is responsible for Ebony’s musical arrangements
as they look to retain their title. Mangrove with their talented musical arranger, André White, who saw them attain second place last year, will be pulling out all the stops to be victorious in 2010. The musically gifted Kyron Akal will be leading Metronomes’ challenge for the title, whilst the proficient Leroy Clarke will be trying to better Real Steel’s third place at last year’s competition. Paul Dowie will lead his youthful and capable musicians from CSO into the musical arena hoping to tip the scales in their favour. Frank Rollock and his all-family band, London All Stars, will be looking to attain a place at the top. RASPO led by Mary Genis, and with Michael ‘Bubbles’ Olivierrie in charge of their musical arrangements
has entered this competition for the first time and are looking to achieve maximum results on their initial outing.
Horniman’s Pleasance, Kensal Road will be a hub of musical activity
for the competition this Saturday from 5:00–11:00 p.m. The event is free, so please ensure you arrive early, obtain a vantage point to experience and enjoy the musical explosion of sweet steel band music on offer. Support the British Association of Steelbands
(BAS) and the UK steelband fraternity. Come out in your numbers and support this important musical art form which is deemed to
have been the first to be featured at the Notting Hill Carnival in the 1960s.
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Croydon Steel Orchestra
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London All Stars
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Metronomes Steel Orchestra
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Real Steel
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Pan 4 Life
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