Trinidad and Tobago Steelband Panorama and Carnival Schedule 2017

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Complete Trinidad and Tobago 2017 National Panorama competition schedule. All rounds - preliminary, semi-finals and finals.
see complete schedule

 Tunes of Choice - Trinidad & Tobago Steelband Panorama 2017

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - A unique playlist featuring only the music selected as Tunes of Choice for the Trinidad and Tobago 2017 Steelband Panorama and Carnival.
listen to playlist

 Pan Yard Addresses -  Trinidad & Tobago Steelband Panorama 2017

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - A listing of the addresses of steelband Pan Yards in Trinidad & Tobago - a breakdown by category, and in alphabetical order.
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Single Pan Bands - Finals Results - Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 2017
Newtown Playboys Steel Symphony Wins Single Pan Title

Global - In the first title up for grabs in a Panorama season which appeared at times uncertain to come off in the land of pan, Newtown Playboys Steel Symphony became Single Pan champions as they musically trounced the twenty other finalists in the competition.

With several ties along the way, the last year's dual-champions—Marsicans and Trinidad East Side Symphony—were both unceremoniously dethroned and had to settle for seventh and eleventh places, respectively.
click for full results

Web Posted - Sunday January 29, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - History is being made at this year’s Trinidad and Tobago 2017 National Panorama Single Pan Finals on January 29 when the T&T Prison Service Single Pan Band performs, after making their inaugural entry into the competition during the preliminaries. With a complement of thirty players, arranger Terrence Sealey led the band on a successful preliminary performance. Performing Iwer George’s “Nah Do That” the band secured a spot in the Single Pan finals.
read more

Web Posted - Sunday January 29, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - Corruption (or whatever you call it) is part and parcel of the operation of Pan Trinbago and likewise many of the steelbands in Trinidad and Tobago. This is exacerbated by the absence of a legal structure for the operation of steelbands. As a result, the models of ownership of steelbands in Trinidad and Tobago vary from those which are (stated or not) proprietorships and owned by an individual, to those which are clearly corporations.

Several steelbands in Trinidad and Tobago fall into the first category. In some steelbands the owner may be called the “manager” “or “captain,” etc. In many cases the person who controls the money is the “de facto owner” of the steelband. 
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Web Posted - Saturday January 28, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - ‘Bacchanal’ is sung for the 2017  Panorama and Carnival season  by “GBM Nutron” also known as Jason Carter.  The track is the tune of choice for St. Margaret’s Superstars Steel Orchestra.

The band will be performing in the medium category with Shennelle Abraham as arranger.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Saturday January 28, 2017
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Community Development, Culture and Arts Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly yesterday oversaw the distribution of cheques to representatives of steelbands from the four different regions at the ministry’s office in Port-of-Spain. Minister Gadsby-Dolly and acting Pan Trinbago president Richard Forteau spoke with reporters separately.

....The cheques distributed were for the support of 178 unsponsored steelbands to facilitate their participation in the Panorama competition and other related activities for the 2017 Carnival celebrations.
read more

Web Posted - Saturday January 28, 2017
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Judging in the panyards for Single Pan bands in the Northern Region continued last Wednesday night as the judges visited bands in Belmont, Gonzales, Cascade and Carenage.

First up was Belmont City Kids International with their rendition of David Rudder’s “Bahia Girl” followed by Nayal Hill SOM, performing a 2017 composition “D Journey” arranged by Tahira David.

Over on Agostini Street in Gonzales, Sheikers was awaiting the judges’ arrival.

Once they got there, the band delivered its rendition of Clive Telemaque’s arrangement of Swallow’s “Don’t Stop this Party”.

The song was well arranged but the players lacked energy in the execution.
read more

Web Posted - Friday January 27, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - For the first time in a number of years, the National Panorama Single Pan Bands Finals will be held as a separate event.

Come Sunday January 29^th, the sounds of steel from the “Pan round de neck/traditional bands” will resound at the Arima Basketball Court, in Arima, East Trinidad, as twenty-one steelbands will vie for bragging rights, the Pan Trinbago Challenge Trophy and prize monies. Competition starts at 4:00 p.m. Admission is TT $100.00, seating is anywhere.

This year bands proceeded from the Preliminary Round (no semis) directly to the Finals with Newtown Playboys Steel Symphony scoring 278.5 points.
read more

Web Posted - Friday January 27, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - Edwin Ayoung or “Crazy” was born Edwin Ayoung in 1944, on Maraval Road in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

“Crazy” has already been heard from for the season on Oh God, Oh God, Gee Gee Ree, Pan Up There, Pokemon Blues and Selfie. So what’s one more, for the record? Here’s track number six, a solo effort as composer - Donald & Hillary.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Friday January 27, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - More than 100 steel orchestras in the Small, Medium and Large Conventional Bands categories will perform their Panorama “piece” before three separate panels of judges at their respective panyards/theatres throughout the length and breadth of Trinidad & Tobago.

For the purpose of the competition, entrants may select and perform any calypso/soca or chutney providing that the selection has not been played by said steelband at a previous Panorama competition. In 2017, bands shall be permitted to play with a minimum of forty (40) players in the various categories.
read more

Web Posted - Thursday January 26, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago Inc. T.C. is a social and cultural body, incorporated by an act of Parliament, Act 5 of 1986 that clearly states its role and function which is further enhanced by cabinet minute no. 2007 of August 7, 1997 - Arrangements for Carnival 1998 and beyond.

Suddenly, in 2017 leading up to the national festival which is Carnival, where the organization produces the national Panorama competition as is the custom, to be a major part of the Carnival, the government of the day through the Ministry of Community Development Culture and the Arts, and the National Carnival Commission (NCC), is hell bent on usurping the role of Pan Trinbago and the two other major interest groups in the national festival and the authority given to them by the acts and the cabinet note of 1998.
read more

Web Posted - Tuesday January 24, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - The group Jonathan Scales Fourchestra is about to embark on an intense tour over the next two months that will end with a month of performing in Indonesia. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, panist Jonathan Scales speaks about his upcoming tour and musical projects.

He is arguably one of the most intriguing talents and talked about musicians to have chosen the steelpan as his instrument of choice. And in a relatively short time, the name Jonathan Scales and his music have caused some serious reverberation in the rafters of globally respected, listened-to, barrier-breaking, and of course - things make you go “hmm, hmm, hmm” while shaking your head. He’s a little older and even more wise, but he is just as daring and the flame is just as intense. As WST (When Steel Talks) first said many moons ago: Jonathan Scales is - and still remains -  “Ahh Bad Man.”

Like Andy Akiho, Leon “Foster” Thomas, and Andre White to name a few, Scales is part of that new generation of musicians continuing to create their music, their way without boundaries or barriers, while expanding the conversation and possibilities with the steelpan instrument.
read more

Web Posted - Monday January 23, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - Len “Boogsie” Sharpe is an ace composer, musician and arranger. A world-renowned performer in his own right, Sharpe has received many accolades and awards including his country’s Hummingbird Medal (Gold) for his contributions to the development of the steelpan artform.

....For the 2017 Panorama season, he has composed ‘Red, White & Black’ with lyrics by Christopher Morris and sung by Damian Alexander. Phase II Pan Groove will be going for the title once again with his original composition.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Saturday January 21, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The 2017 Panorama season in Trinidad and Tobago continues with the Single Pan Band category in the Northern Region in the spotlight, unfolding over three days, January 24 through January 26, with twenty-six bands scheduled to take part.
The respective pan yards are the venues for the performances.

As has become customary over the last several years, the majority of the tunes of choice are none-2017 season selections.
read more

Web Posted - Friday January 20, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - Winston Scarborough aka “The Original DeFosto Himself” usually writes and records a few tracks each Panorama season, and 2017 is no different. 

For the 2017 steelband Panorama season “De Fosto” is back with Champions, Mystery-Writer and Sacrificial Lambs, the track featured here.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Thursday January 19, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Patrons to Pan Trinbago/NLCB National Panorama Festival Semi Finals can enjoy reduced ticket prices to the event.

After taking into consideration several economic factors, the promoters have reverted to its original price structure.
read more

Web Posted - Tuesday January 17, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Nine bands are listed in this region and will be judged before a four-person panel at their respective panyards starting Friday January 20th with the first four bands while the next five will be heard on Saturday January 21^st.

Three of the nine have opted for songs/tunes composed by Austin Lyons. They are Highlighters (“Fete”), New Age Trendsetters (“Nani Wine”), and Pan Angels (“Signal To Lara”).
read more

Web Posted - Tuesday January 17, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Nineteen bands affiliated with the Eastern Region will be judged as the National Single Pan Bands Preliminaries reaches its fourth day of competition.

Last year’s joint winners, Marsicans will play at number 10 on Sunday January 22^nd, with Trinidad East Side Symphony performing in the last spot on Monday January 23^rd, at their respective panyards.
read more

Web Posted - Tuesday January 17, 2017
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  The only Tobago steelband registered in the Large Conventional band category has pulled out of the 2017 National Steelband Panorama competition.

Marie Toby, manager of the RBC Redemption Sound Setters, said yesterday the band was in the process of dispatching a letter to their sponsors, RBC, informing them of the decision.

Asked what was the reason for pulling out Toby, in a telephone interview said: “The players are not coming out as they should. I don’t know if the controversy (with Pan Trinbago) that is going on have anything to do with it, but they decided that they are not coming out...they are not getting the vibes and what have you.” However Toby said that their players each got their $1,000 remittance, for the 2016 competition, last week, but stated: “In all the preparation, you got to have the vibes and the energy to go into competition.
read more

Web Posted - Monday January 16, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Tobago Single Pan Bands will start the National Panorama 2017 and their category on Thursday 19 January at their respective pan yards.

Three (3) steelbands will run through their Panorama selections before the panel of adjudicators.
read more

Web Posted - Monday January 16, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - National Panorama 2017 will officially kick off on Thursday 19^th January 2017 in Tobago with the Single Pan category under the theme “Transformation In Steel.”

Sixty-seven Single Pan Bands have registered to participate in this year’s competition which spans several days in Trinidad & Tobago.
read more

Web Posted - Sunday January 15, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - When Steel Talks has confirmation that two large (120-players) “legacy” steel orchestras will not be participating in the 2017 Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama.

They are Redemption Sound Setters Steel Orchestra out of sister isle Tobago, and Harmonites Steel Orchestra out of Barataria, east Trinidad.
read more

Web Posted - Sunday January 15, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - Laventille-based Roderick “Chuck” Gordon has consistently contributed music to his country’s national instrument, the Steelpan.

Chuck has also traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean diaspora this year participating in Carnivals across North America. He was also nominated in the Best New Male Artist category at the International Soca Awards in New York.

He performed Supernovas Steel Orchestra’s tune of choice for Panorama 2016, Breakthrough, and the band turned to Chuck once again as vocalist for the 2017 season.  The track - Rumble In The Jungle - is jointly written by the band’s co-founder and arranger Amrit Samaroo, and Mark Loquan.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Sunday January 15, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - Gerelle Forbes is an all-round entertainer and songwriter.

The versatile young woman is also known for being the vocal talent at the forefront of 2013’s Sapna (The Dream) penned by iconic composer and steelband arranger Ray Holman. For the 2016 Panorama season Gerelle composed and vocalized Sweetest Escape and Roxanne, and in 2017 she’s at work once more with this track, “Bless In The Yard.”
listen to tune

Web Posted - Saturday January 14, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - Since 1984, “Keet Styla” (Keith Prescott) formerly known as “Designer” has been working with renowned panists and pan composers/arrangers such as Ken “Professor” Philmore, Ray Holman, Robert Greenidge and Earl Brooks - as well as musicians including Ralph McDonald, Monty Alexander, Frankie McIntosh, Leston Paul and Etienne Charles.

“Keet Styla” has already been heard from for the 2017 Panorama season with Girls From The Hill - and he returns, working alongside Ken Philmore on Panorama Soldiers.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Saturday January 14, 2017
Stabroek News

Guyana, S.A. -  This year’s Mashramani celebration is being held under the theme ‘Celebration with Dignity, Liberty and Greater Unity,’ and according to the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport Guyanese can look forward to many music-related events.

....Residents of New Amsterdam, Bartica, Region 10, and Parika can look forward to being treated to the melodious sounds of steel pan since steel pan concerts will be held in these areas commencing this evening and continuing on January 21 and 29 and February 5.

On Thursday February 16, the Steel Band Minor Category competition will be held at the Theatre Guild while the big bands will do battle on Sunday February 19.
read more

Web Posted - Saturday January 14, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - Kenwrick “Kenny J” Joseph was born at Prince of Wales Street in San Fernando, Trinidad.

A one-time tenor player with Guinness Cavaliers Steel Orchestra and the T&T Police Steel Orchestra, this calypsonian recorded and performed many songs for the steel pan including Pan in The Wind, Sweet Hand and Doh Touch We Carnival.

Panorama Jean was the contribution for the 2013 Panorama season by “Kenny J.” For 2017, he’s written and vocalized this song, The Bride Granddaughter.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Thursday January 12, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Gregory Lindsay, the chairman of Power Stars Steel Orchestra released a statement expressing his dissatisfaction and disappointment in what was not accomplished in his attempt to secure reportedly better representation for Pan Players of Trinidad and Tobago.

As part of the duo - which included world-renowned panist Dane Gulston, Mr. Lindsay pressed the governing body of Pan in Trinidad and Tobago, Pan Trinbago, for significant changes to its executive board membership and procedures, under the banner of the UPPM (the United Pan Peoples Movement).
read his statement

Web Posted - Thursday January 12, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - In 2015 Vanessa Alexandra Headley put forward Pan In D Galaxy as her tune for Panorama, while Young And Free was her tune of choice for Panorama 2016 - again written, vocalized and arranged by her for her band, Golden Hands  Steel Orchestra.

For the 2017 Panorama season Vanessa is back with Push!, the track featured here, with lyrics by Vanessa and mom Franka Hills-Headley.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Thursday January 12, 2017
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  The national instrument is about to enter a new phase of the digital age through the effort of steelpan entrepreneur, designer and lawyer Liz Mannette, owner of Liz Mannette LLC - a design studio for steelpan-inspired projects.

Mannette who has been designing steelpan-themed jewellery for over 11 years has extended into the media and entertainment world. She spent the last year in development with local and international artists, animators, mobile app developers and futurists to carve a creative space for the evolution of digital content for the pan.

A suite of brand-new, steelpan- themed mobile applications (pan apps) are being launched on the company’s official digital platform: games.lizmannette.com, a media release stated.
read more

Web Posted - Wednesday January 11, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago's acting president, Richard Forteau announced that Panorama 2017 steelband competitions will take place. The unresolved matter of the non-payment of fees to Panmen since 2016, as well as other matters will be dealt with after Panorama 2017.
read more

Web Posted - Wednesday January 11, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - When asked why a pan-tune so late-in-the-game about, of all things - “No Panorama” Salmon Cupid explained that it happened now for a multitude of reasons, including limited resources with the constraints of time and finance. But expanded, as a panist, pan-teacher and pan-innovator, he has always had a pan-song bubbling in his heart, body, mind and soul. With the controversy heating up, he felt a need to “try-a-ting” and enter the fray.

The use of young voices symbolizes the youth crying out for our attention. The use of the pan symbolizes the Panorama Fever if there's No Panorama. ‘No Panorama’ is meant to seize the public's attention and with carpe diem, we want more accountability and transparency.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Wednesday January 11, 2017
The Daily Observer

Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. -  The heads of the Princess Margaret School (PMS) steel band and music programme have already envisioned that a recent pledge of as much as $75,000 could provide a suite of new steelpans and even opportunities for students to travel.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne made the pledge during a ceremony at the school on Tuesday and said that while $15,000 would come from his own pockets, he would lobby his corporate contacts to raise the remainder.

Manager of the Serenaders (the PMS steel band) Cleo-Antoinette Hampson-Cordice told OBSERVER media, “Currently the Serenaders are using instruments that belong to the Gemonites Steel Orchestra, so financially it would benefit in getting our own instruments.”
read more

Web Posted - Wednesday January 11, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - Edwin Ayoung or “Crazy” was born Edwin Ayoung in 1944, on Maraval Road in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

“Crazy” has already been heard from for the Panorama/Carnival season on Oh God, Oh God, Gee Gee Ree, Pan Up There and Pokemon Blues. No surprise, he is up again here with a fifth track for the season, a catchy ditty he has co-written, along with  Duran Manswell & Klase Gonzales- “Selfie.”
listen to tune

Web Posted - Tuesday January 10, 2017
Trinidad Express Newspapers

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  January 7 marked the first anniversary of the death of Trinidad and Tobago steelpan virtuoso and internationally renowned arranger Jit Samaroo.

Born in Surrey Village, Lopinot, he was buried in the Public Cemetery there. TPRC councillor for the La Florissante/Lopinot electoral district Crista Ariel Alexis officially handed over the ownership of Jit Samaroo’s entombed gravesite to his family in a simple ceremony hosted by his wife and family. Leader of council business at the TPRC Councillor Travis Williams brought greetings on behalf of the chairman and council.
see original post

Web Posted - Tuesday January 10, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - Three Pannists Podcast was released two days ago - led by Freddy Harris, III, Iman Pascall and Kahlil Chu. It is a podcast about pan matters. On Facebook evidently Mr. Kristian Paradis took exception to be being tagged about the launching of the Podcast.

Normally this would not be a big deal but as the musical director of Philly Pan Stars and Steel Band Director of the University of Delaware his behavior is suspect.

Steelband community members on Facebook respond to Kristian Paradis.
read more

Web Posted - Monday January 9, 2017
When Steel Talks

Consensus From The Way Forward - For Panorama 2017

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - A motion will be made at Tuesday’s December 10, 2017 Emergency Meeting for the Entire Central Executive under Acting President of Pan Trinbago, Richard Forteau to step down with immediate effect... following the installation of a 90-Day Interim Committee comprising of the Four Regional Chairmen of Pan Trinbago Inc., as well as 3 other Members-At-Large.
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Web Posted - Monday January 9, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago Inc., one of the oldest grassroots organizations in Trinidad and Tobago, is now fighting for its survival in the space and the arena that it struggled long and hard to establish and maintain for over sixty years.

What is saddening, maddening and frightening, is the fact that some people who don’t have a clear history of the evolution of the Steelpan are recommending that it be taken away from us, and placed in the hand of big business, who they believe are more capable and more competent to manage the business of Pan. This has brought tears to the eyes of many who made great sacrifice.
read more

Web Posted - Saturday January 7, 2017
St. Croix Source

Frederiksted, U.S.V.I. - With an assortment of majorettes, marching bands, historical references and story book characters, this year’s parade drew rounds of applause from the spectators who braved the blazing sun to support the island’s youth.

The parade began at about 10:30 a.m. from the Claude O. Markoe Elementary School and ended at about 4:30 p.m. near the Rita Myers Chiverton Centennial Village.

....There was plenty of musical talent the St. Croix Central High School and the St. Croix Educational Complex marching bands showed their skills and synchronized moves. Steel bands included the Rising Stars Steel Orchestra, the Lew Muckle Steel Orchestra, Elena Christian Jr. High School Steel Pan and the Simba Steel Orchestra.
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Web Posted - Saturday January 7, 2017
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Government has clipped the wings of Pan Trinbago. The steelband body, now mired in financial mess, will no longer be the sole authority in charge of the Panorama competition.
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Web Posted - Saturday January 7, 2017
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz yesterday underwent an angioplasty procedure after suffering a heart attack, Pan Trinbago’s secretary Richard Forteau informed Newsday yesterday. He is currently hospitalized at St. Clair Medical.

Pan Trinbago informed the public late on Thursday that Diaz had a medical emergency and was rushed to a medical facility at 1:30 p.m. that day. Newsday was also informed that Diaz was at a National Carnival Commission (NCC) meeting when he suffered a heart attack.

....Contacted yesterday for comment, ace panist Dane Gulston, who has led the charge against the Diaz administration, for the handling of Pan Trinbago’s affairs, said he was saddened by the news of Diaz’s medical condition saying he had nothing personal against the Pan Trinbago head.

He said that while he remains firm that change must take place in the management of Pan Trinbago, his prayers and thoughts are with Diaz. “A person’s health is a whole other different thing,” Gulston said. He maintained however that the entire Pan Trinbago executive must go over its handling of the organisation. To date, panmen and women have not been paid their $1,000 stipend for performing in the 2016 Panorama competition.
read more

Web Posted - Friday January 6, 2017
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Panmen yesterday breathed a sigh of relief when they finally began receiving the $1,000 cheques owed them for performing almost one year ago in Panorama 2016.

However, relief quickly turned to disappointment and anger when they went to the banks to cash them and were told the cheques could not be honoured.

The panmen now believe they were given cheques just to pacify them and are planning a protest at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, on Saturday.
read more

Web Posted - Friday January 6, 2017
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Panmen who went to the bank yesterday attempting to cash cheques individually valued at $1,000, left empty-handed and singing a sour tune, after the cheques ‘bounced’ with bank officials saying there was no money to pay them.

This was confirmed by ace panist Dane Gulston and came hours after Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz promised the nation, via a television morning talk show, that $1,000 owed to thousands of panmen, as playing fees for the 2016 Panorama competition, would be paid. Gulston said he intends to lead another protest of panmen while Pan Trinbago executives hold an emergency meeting tomorrow at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah.
read more

Web Posted - Friday January 6, 2017
The Washington Post

Washington, D.C., USA -  ....“I completely separate the pan sound, because I want just the content of what I play to stand out,” he explains. “I’m never comfortable when people say, ‘Man, that’s crazy for a steel pan.’ For me, the sound is just another color.”

Serious jazz on the steel pan — jazz imbued with the historical vocabulary of swing, bebop and the blues, and not, as Provost puts it, simply “improvised music” — may not be crazy. But it is admittedly unusual. There are a handful of older jazz steel pan improvisers: Othello Molineaux, who played with bassist Jaco Pastorius; Rudy Smith, now 73; and the American Andy Narell, but almost no one on the instrument has tried to make it the basis of a career.

Provost, whose first album on an actual record label, Paquito Records, is scheduled for release on Jan. 20, the day he turns 36, could well succeed.
read more

Web Posted - Thursday January 5, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - Lloyd Cupido aka “QP The Quiet Prince” has also been known as “QP” in the music world. After many years of singing Calypso and Soca music he was able to reach his goal, releasing his first CD entitled ‘Jam With QP,’ consisting of songs such as Mas Man Coming Down, Spokes, Neighbour Neighbour, Been There Done That and many more.

Pan Jam was the song released by Cupido for the 2014 panorama season, and he was on track again with 2015’s Pan Jubilation. He is returning to the musical landscape for 2017 with Pan In The Party, featured here.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Thursday January 5, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - President Keith Diaz of Pan Trinbago is in hospital as of January 5, prompting the Central Executive to cancel the emergency meeting scheduled for January 7 - this according to a press release from the organization. They also called for pan musicians not to attempt to cash any cheques they are holding. Additionally, General Secretary Richard Forteau has been appointed acting president of the organization.
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Web Posted - Thursday January 5, 2017
Guyana Information Agency

Georgetown, Guyana, S.A. -  Over the last five years, there has been a boost in the appreciation and participation in steel pan music. A committed investment has been made on a yearly basis for the provision of three steel bands for three schools. However, the Ministry cannot do it alone. In this regard, Mr. Aubrey Bryan, a Guyanese residing overseas, today presented two sets steel bands for St. Roses High and North Ruimveldt Secondary School.
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Web Posted - Thursday January 5, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pamberi Steel Orchestra is a steelband located in the San Juan community of east Trinidad where the majority of the members were born and reside. Last year, 2016, there were National Champions emerging from within our community. The band decided to honour these victorious efforts with a Dinner dedicated to the Champions.
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Web Posted - Wednesday January 4, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - On the national television program ME (Morning Edition), Trinidad and Tobago National Carnival Commission (NCC) Chairman Kenneth De Silva, in responding to ME host Fazeer Mohammed, declared that if the embattled Pan Trinbago could not run the 2017 National Panorama the NCC would step in and run the show. The commissioner was emphatic that the show must go on at all cost. Mr. De Silva also declared “We paid the money [to Pan Trinbago] for the pan players for 2016 in full, and that [money] has not been passed on to the pan players.”
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Web Posted - Wednesday January 4, 2017
The Philadelphia Tribune

Philadelphia, USA -  African-American performance groups who showed in the Mummers Parade on Sunday, said they were glad to be apart of the Mummers’ ongoing effort to diversify.

The Mummers parade has historically been chastised for offensive incidents that mock ethnic groups in addition to the lesbian and gay community.

....“Going into it, the band was aware of some of the conflict with the parade and the conflicts that happened before,” said Kristian Paradis, Musical Director for the Philadelphia Pan Stars steel orchestra, a group dedicated to the Trinidadian tradition of pan drumming. “But the way we looked at it, it’s similar to the growing pains of [Trinidad and Tobago] Carnival. We had a good idea of what to expect and our presentation is similar to what we have done at the Caribbean Carnival in New York or other Caribbean festivals on the East coast. And we got a great response from the other captains of the Mummers groups. They seemed genuinely appreciative of what we did. We were prepared to get resistance but there wasn’t.”

Paradis noted they were also well-received by the band, stating that “people were dancing and calling for more.”
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Web Posted - Tuesday January 3, 2017
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  PAN players say they intend to take to the streets tomorrow to show their dissatisfaction with pan’s governing body, Pan Trinbago.

From noon, the players are expected to head to Pan Trinbago’s office at Park Street, opposite Victoria Square in Port-of-Spain to express their dissatisfaction with the organisation and its handling of money and other administrative issues.

Panist Dane Gulston called a meeting, via Facebook, to discuss the way forward for Panorama following an extra ordinary meeting held on December 28. At that meeting the panmen called for a boycott of the annual Panorama competition saying, “No money, no Panorama.” At yesterday’s meeting held at Trinidad All Stars’ Steel Orchestra pan yard in Port-of-Spain, Gulston said, “I called the meeting because we had a heated discussion in our meeting last Wednesday. I called the meeting for panmen and the executive of bands to decide where we heading from now. read more

Web Posted - Tuesday January 3, 2017
Loop

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  If Panorama 2017 comes off, patrons to the Greens can expect a smaller venue.

Richard Forteau, Secretary of Pan Trinbago, told Loop the Greens will return but it will be back to its original size.

Last year, the Greens was expanded but suffered a loss of many party groups who opted out of the Panorama experience citing security and other concerns.

Some groups teamed up with Caesar's Army which staged its own rival event, Bacchanal Road, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
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Web Posted - Tuesday January 3, 2017
Stabroek News - (Thirty years of Stabroek News ...glimpses of the past)

Guyana, S.A. -  Totally oblivious of his surroundings, mentally retarded Terrence Gittens the star of the David Rose School for the Handi­capped, beats his pans playing from his soul.

The steel band is com­prised of one hearing impaired and four men­tally retarded children. The headmistress of the school approached Cheryl Eversely, a teacher of the school, and asked her to teach the children who showed an interest. Cheryl plays the piano and recorder. She had to be taught by Roy Geddes, the pioneer of steel band music in Guyana. Another teacher of the school, Mr. Spence was taught also to assist Eversely.

Cheryl had to first familiarise the children with the notes by taking their hands and placing them upon the notes over and over.
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Web Posted - Sunday January 1, 2017
When Steel Talks

by Andre Moses

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - ...Gradually and seemingly ‘unnoticed’ the crowds and national enthusiasm generated by the Steelband Panorama have begun to dissipate, and like West Indies cricket the symptoms of this ‘loss of energy’ are quite evident to those who are perceptive enough to ‘see’.

The North Stand that represented the next generation of steelband lovers has not recovered from the self-inflicted wound of the ‘Panorama Greens’ and a new generation of youth is growing up without any organic connection to the steelband, save for a fleeting engagement in a school steelband.

At the same time the average age of the Grand Stand faithful has been moving steadily northwards from fifty to sixty to seventy years...
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Web Posted - Sunday January 1, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - I must express my disgust and indignation at the attitude and behaviour of a few misguided, uninformed panists, who attended a general membership meeting at City Hall, Port of Spain on 28/12/2016, called by Pan Trinbago Inc. to discuss players’ remittances for 2016 and the future of Panorama 2017.

It was clear to me that some people came with an agenda inimical to the best interest of Pan Trinbago, but I believe that in a democratic organization, everyone is entitled to their own views, once expressed in a dignified and respectful manner, but when they are filled with malicious accusations and hostility that is a horse of a different colour...
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When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - All rounds - all categories at a glance... Large, Medium, Small, Junior and Single Pan Band.

Complete info and results for Trinidad and Tobago's Steelband Panorama 2016.  Check out the background story on some of your favorite steel orchestras and their arrangers, what selections they played, and more.
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When Steel Talks

Upcoming

Global  - Upcoming Steelpan music events from all over the world
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When Steel Talks - Special

Champion Panorama Tunes of Trinidad and Tobago

Global - A critical component to winning any panorama competition is the song the orchestras choose to use as the basis of their panorama arrangements. Over the years these songs have inspired classic panorama arrangements. When Steel Talks invites you to take a look at and listen to, these famed tunes which have played more than just a cursory part in the history of Pan, and the lives of the players and fans.
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