For New York Pan Stars Steel Orchestra - Age Is More Than Just A Number - Band Launch 2016

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Moving to a different drum - A different beat - Demanding a different outcome

Brooklyn, New York, USA - There is the common saying that ‘age is more than just a number’ and in the case of New York Pan Stars (NYPS) this is evidently quite true. NYPS is a relatively young organization both in terms of existence and the average age of its players - by New York steel orchestra standards. But there are very few things ‘youthful’ about the way NYPS goes about its operations. And in this regard the operating description for NYPS would be: focused, committed and professional. Oh, and did we say - talented? 

There is no shortage of great steelpan music talent here. New York’s steelpan music history and culture are rich, colorful, manic and extraordinary. Imagine driving down a Brooklyn road on a weekday at 6:00 a.m. in the morning, the sun is just rising and as you stop for the traffic light there is a 100-plus player steel orchestra going at it - at full throttle. And an hour later the yard is dead silent and all the players are gone - off to their 9 to 5s. Those were the days and special times in the life of a Brooklyn Steel Orchestra. But times have changed and NYPS has taken a different approach to being successful and surviving in the increasingly hostile environment and encroaching walls as the ‘face of the people’ in the city changes.

The New York band launches have begun in earnest, this being the second weekend of performances that take place at the Brooklyn panyards. Last week the new kids on the block, Pan Evolution got the tradition rolling with its launch and this past weekend ADLIB Steel Orchestra and New York Pan Stars held theirs in Long Island and Brooklyn respectively. The launches remain a critical aspect of maintaining and reinforcing economic, community, cooperative, cultural and music performance links among the fifteen or so steel orchestra franchises in Brooklyn.

NYPS is coming off of its very successful run at the 2016 annual Virginia International PANFest, where they won both the Community Ensemble Category and Grand Champion of the entire PANFest. NYPS’s management know-how and vision will be severely tested in the near future as maintaining a successful and musically elite steel orchestra in NYC remains a daunting mission.

The Show

When Steel Talks got to see and hear three steel orchestras perform at this launch - Higher Levin, CASYM and the host New York Pan Stars. The show began later than the advertised 7:30 start but given the heat wave New York City has been under and the daunting ‘lightning show’ from the menacing-looking clouds that were high in the sky just north of us - it was all good. A lot of folks have stopped coming to these events because they don’t trust the event will begin anywhere close to the promoted start time. NYPS might be one of two orchestras that has at least one instance of being very respectful of their attendees’ time.

DJ Blacc Hulk (Clinton Modeste) was on point. He had a great repertoire and did not try to kill the audience with 10,000 watts of distorted nonsense. His excellent music sets began the show, and kept the crowd steppin’ in between steelband performances.

New York Pan Stars deliver their opening performance at their band launch
New York Pan Stars deliver their opening performance at their band launch

NYPS of course had their food and drink section well-planned and laid out. And by the number of folks with plate in hand, no one seem disappointed with the cook. Indeed, it was the night the Food Network channel should have dropped by.

The orchestras were uniformly dressed and staked out two areas. The panyard of Pantonic Steel Orchestra remains one of the best places for such events. Lots of room. NYPS opened the show decked in their burgundy baseball shirt tops and white pants. They looked good and sounded great. Hardly a fingerprint or smudge could be found on the chrome of their instruments, as before performance time the musicians could be seen polishing their instruments. Can someone say ‘professional attitude’? NYPS’ instruments sounded awesome and their varied music set showcased their versatility. Of particular musical note: NYPS tenor players Sage Harrison, Joel Edouard, Antonio John and Navarre Mason who put their soloing ability on full display, to the delight of the audience.

CASYM Steel Orchestra performs at the NYPS band launch
CASYM Steel Orchestra performs at the NYPS band launch

Up next and cracking in about fifteen minutes after NYPS concluded was CASYM. The veteran CASYM Steel Orchestra gave us a music mix of old and new - dropping traditional CASYM favorites like “Blame It On The Music,” followed by hits such as Justin Bieber’s “Sorry.” They were among the new songs arranged by Curtis Lynch, Travis Roberts and Lance Maximin. And ‘PR’ (public relations) was evident via their blue T-Shirts which promoted their tune of choice for the 2016 New York Panorama, [Meh] “People” by Kes The Band. The CASYM set drew “Oos,” “Ahs” and applause from the audience. Oh yea - we must mention soloist Tyler Cohen - he’s nice!

And another note - CASYM played on Higher Levin’s instruments which were already set up. How much easier life could be if this was the norm?

Higher Levin Steel Orchestra performs at the NYPS band launch
Higher Levin Steel Orchestra performs at the NYPS band launch

And of course as soon as CASYM moved off, Higher Levin picked up right after them. The young folks of Higher Levin were led by their young and talented musical director Damany James. Higher Levin put on a great show. And their Michael Jackson medley was off the hook. We would love to hear this group with better sounding instruments. Regardless, the audience was well entertained by their performance. And look out for Damany James as an administrator, arranger and leader.

It is always great to see the notables in New York’s steelband community out in support, both from fellow bands, and the veterans (upon whose shoulders the culture and art form are built and continue on). Though the crowd was small, the spirit of those on hand was not in doubt.

CrossFire Steel Orchestra performed after When Steel Talks had departed, but undoubtedly delivered an enjoyable presentation as is customary for the group.  Upcoming this weekend, Friday August 19, Despers USA holds their event, while on Saturday August 20 it is the turn of Steel-X-Plosion’s band launch.  

Performances from New York Pan Stars, CASYM and Higher Levin steel orchestras at the band launch

 
 

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