Pan Podium - Issue 30

PAN PODIUM

LAILA SHAH

Born with a Passion for Music

STEEL THE SHOW

Showcasing the Youth in Steelpan!

PAN IN POLAND WITH UNICEF

Unicef supporting interest in the Steelpan Culture

STEEL THE SHOW 2022

Showcasing the Youth in Steelpan.

Editors Message

The history of the steelband artform shows that it continues to survive from its inception and has never faltered against any opposition. The digital age has been readily accepted and grasped to ensure that the artform continued to evolve with the times. Bands and Musicians continue to use the vast choice of digital platforms to showcase their music, regularly used by the youth of our universal nations. This digital age stepped up a gear and as always the steelband culture adapted and kept pace with these global changes. The continuity of our culture lies with the youths of our global nations and the changes; developments, creations and innovations they introduce will maintain its momentum in this digital era to command its rightful place amongst musical platforms. Steelpan’s global recognition is evident as musicians are promoting the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago worldwide through their many actions.

HelloWith the major global changes brought on by the Pandemic, the war in Ukraine and world-wide climate changes.

The entertainment industry has suffered immensely but is slowly recovering. The ongoing war in Ukraine has dimmed prospects of a postpandemic economic recovery for emerging and developing universal economies.

The crisis has seen acceleration of underlying trends in the music industry. These are based on the importance of streaming to the industry which has grown in total revenues in the past years.

BAS/NHC hosted their successful 44th National Steelband Panorama in 2022 with Ebony Steel Band led by Duvone Stewart being victorious. Nailah Blackman performed at the event before the start of the competition. The continued development of Notting Hill Carnival and the promotion of the Trinidadian culture in the UK and Europe in these uncertain times is credited to the laborious efforts of Matthew Phillip,CEO of NHC, his team and all involved. Everyone is looking forward to NHC 2023.

This year sees Glissando Steel orchestra celebrate their 35th anniversary whilst Metronomes Steel Orchestra has a number of events planned to celebrate their iconic 40th anniversay in 2023. Panpodium and its universal media partners continue the promotion of the steelpan and its culture through its digital media platforms ensuring that the wider audiences and virgin territories are captured. Panpodium offers its appreciation to our global social media partners for actively supporting and promoting the unselfish efforts of the global steelpan community to world audiences ensuring its recognition is always at the forefront. I offer my personal thanks to everyone who has contributed to Pan Podium’s success and look forward to your continued support in making Pan Podium a beacon for the artform.

Robbie Joseph

Laila Shah

Born with a passion for music!

Laila has taken the leading role in establishing the International Journal of Carnival Arts (IJCA) from May 2020. From 2019, she became the Youth Representative and Trustee of the Carnival Village Trust and the Youth Representative of the Windrush Memorial Committee.

Laila grew up in a family where steelpan and calypso are part of their daily lives. At 11 months, she was already at Notting Hill Carnival (NHC) in a pushchair playing mas as a ‘Sailor’ with Nostalgia Steelband. She grew up with a passion for music, with formal tutoring on piano and saxophone, while she was self-taught on guitar and pan, the latter hugely inspired by Russ Henderson who used to visit her music school in North London during her most formative years of tuition. By seven, she was playing pan on the road at NHC. Although prohibited to participate in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics as she was only fourteen (she was four years below the minimum age), she was permitted to join Nostalgia Steelband to pre-record Rick Smith’s signature piece,

,“And I Will Kiss” at Abbey Road Studios for the Opening Ceremony of London’s 2012 Olympics. She was also allowed to play at the farewell send-off of the Olympics to Brazil in a steelpan performance designated ‘One Thousand Pans.’ This took place on the final day of the Olympics on the banks of the Thames where TASPO played in 1951 for the Festival of Britain. It was at this event she met the legendary Freddy Totesaut who after seeing her perform, encouraged her to join his band, St Michael and All Angels Steel Orchestra.

Inspired by a visit to Trinidad Carnival in 2013, she arranged her first tune, Bunji’s Garlin’s ‘Differentology’ for NHC in 2013 and won Nostalgia its first NHC carnival award. Keen to participate in the UK’s Panorama competitions, she joined Mangrove Steelband and participated at each Panorama between 2017 to 2022. Laila has toured with Nostalgia Steelband in Europe, China and Trinidad. Outside these performances, she has co-organised and presented several papers at the International Biennial Steelpan Conferences between 2012-2022. It was at these meeting that I heard her present her work on steelpan and heard her perform solo as well as with other steelbands. In 2018, she co-organised

Nostalgia Steelband’s visit to play on the streets of San Fernando, Trinidad for both days of carnival and became the first steelband to have achieved such a feat. This was reported in the Trinidad Guardian (Martin, Andrew, Funk, Ray, 2008. ‘Reconnecting with Roots: UK Steelband plays Carnival in San Fernando,’ Trinidad Guardian, March 20, 2018; Shah, L.M.N. 2020, IJCA, 1, 30-42)

Laila has taken the leading role is establishing the International Journal of Carnival Arts (IJCA) from May 2020. From 2019, she became the Youth Representative and Trustee of the Carnival Village Trust and the Youth Representative of the Windrush Memorial Committee. Nostalgia has done groundbreaking work over its 50-year history and Laila has single-handedly organised and ran several workshops while at school and later (2017 -2021) at the King’s College, University of London studying for a combined BSc/MSi in Chemistry. Her recent departure (September 2021) from London to pursue her PhD in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry at the University of Oxford necessitates a brief detachment from weekly activities in London but she has still participated fully in Notting Hill Carnival with Nostalgia Steelband and Panorama with Mangrove Steelband in 2022.

However, she has taken her tenor pan with her at the university and trying to stimulate interest in this incredible instrument by performing whenever possible. As a result, several students at university participated in NHC for the first time this year and are now keen to play pan. She is a current member of the new Oxford Carnival Committee which aims to restart the Caribbean carnival in July 2023.

Even though Laila is a full-time PhD student at Oxford, she still finds the time to commit fully to the administrative, editorial and upkeep of IJCA and the associated conferences up to 2022 which was held in Oxford. I therefore have no hesitation that she will play a significant role in helping to make the 10th International Conference of Carnival Arts titled ‘Rhythm of a People: Tradition, Connection and Innovation the March of Decolonisation’ a great success and strongly supports her in the organising committee.

Cheo Cato

Music inspires creativity, imagination and discipline!

Cheo Cato started playing the steelpan in 1991 at the age of 13 at the El Dorado Secondary School (formerly El Dorado Junior Secondary School). In 1993, Cheo had his first taste of competition when he played at the National Junior Steelband Music Festival. He performed with St Augustine Secondary School between 1992 – 1995.

Cheo’s first senior Panorama performance was in 1996 with Moods Steel Orchestra. He joined Pamberi Steel Orchestra in 1997 and has been with them to date. In 1999, Cheo began arranging Pamberi Steel Orchestra’s repertoire music for their stage side. He arranged for Pamberi Steel Orchestra who emerged finalists in the Pan in the 21st Century competition in 2004, 2007 and 2008. He recognised that playing under arrangers in the likes of Godwin Bowen and Brian Villafana has given him the opportunity to learn varying styles of musical arrangements.

Cheo spoke very positively about Pamberi Steel Orchestra’s exposure to various musical cultures through their travels around the world which gave them the opportunity to put those experiences into their music. Cheo continues to bring that uniqueness and excitement into his musical arrangements for everyone to enjoy.

Cheo was a member of the Trinidad and Tobago National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) between 2003 – 2005. Cheo is a graduate in Musical Arts from the University of the West Indies (UWI). He has also played with the UWI Festival Ensemble from 2004 – 2008.

He was a Music Educator at the St Augustine Secondary School from 2005 – 2009 and linked up with his school mate, Kern Sumerville, and led their Alma Mater, St Augustine Senior Secondary to the National Junior Panorama Competition with their musical arrangements. They were successful in capturing the winners’ podium for three consecutive years, 2005–2007.

Cheo went on to be their Musical Director of the school steelband between 2007 – 2011. During that time they also performed original compositions at the National Schools Music Festival in 2005 ( 3rd Place) and were victorious in 2010. The band also produced an album for their South Africa tour in 2007.

Cheo was also a Music Instructor with the Pan in the Classroom Unit from 2011-2012.

His musical journey continued as District Music Co-ordinator in the Trinidad and Tobago Multicultural Music Programme Unit from 2013 – 2017. In September 2021, Cheo celebrated thirty yearsin the music industry.

When asked what are his thoughts when preparing a musical rendition for a Panorama competition he replied, a catchy melody, effective musical layout and lyrics that everyone can relate too. He added that the players must enjoy the tune as well, to facilitate their execution. Cheo stated, ‘when working with your pan musicians it is important to understand their ability and potential to achieve the maximum end result.’

Cheo is currently the Musical Director and Committee member of Pamberi Steel Orchestra and Vice Chairman of the eastern Region of Pan Trinbago. He has also been a Musical Consultant for Halycon Steel Orchestra between 2007 - 2018 in Antigua and recently was the drill Master for the Mangrove Steel Band in London for the UK National Steelband Panorama 2022 competition where they attained second place. Cheo was also part of the victorious team that won the 2023 Trinidad and Tobago National Single Pan finals with Chord Masters Steel Orchestra.

NHC/BAS NATIONAL PANORAMA STEELBAND COMPETITION 2K22

Musical excellence thrives on creativity and execution!

Ebony Steel Band’s performance of Duvone Kensal Road, Ladbroke Grove, London, ‘The Drag’, was filled with the sweet strains of steelband music as the participating bands practiced their renditions for their final performances on stage. The crowds were buzzing from band to band like a swarm of bees absorbing the sweet nectar of the musical offerings. The UK National Panorama was held at the Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, Kensal Road on Saturday 27th August.

As the crowds gathered, the atmosphere was filled with excitement, fun, anxiety and anticipation. They flowed like a river into Horniman’s Pleasance where Niala Blackman was entertaining them with her catchy numbers whilst the bands prepared for their final performances.

Croydon Steel Orchestra took to the stage

with its eighty strong players sporting vibrantly coloured shirts and head scarves, to kick off this UK national steelband competition. Paul Dowie, manager and arranger arranged Nadia Batson’s, ‘Jelly’ and the pop style motif late in the arrangement was duly noted. Croydon attained fifth place with 225 points.

Pan Nation was second on stage as the summer evening’s light faded, determined to cause a musical upset with their tune of choice, Voice’s ‘Out and Bad’. Chris Storey their founder, manager and arranger, with proud drill madam, Delphina ‘Panness’ James, worked tirelessly to ensure the band was on point, indeed, their 100 players left their musical mark on all the pan lovers in attendance. Pan Nation amassed 255 points and was awarded third place.

RESULTS:

1ST – EBONY STEELBAND TRUST -– 277 POINTS

2ND – MANGROVE STEEL BAND – 276 POINTS

3RD - PAN NATION STEEL ORCHESTRA – 255 POINTS

4TH - METRONOMES STEEL ORCHESTRA - 252 POINTS

5TH - CROYDON STEEL ORCHESTRA - 225 POINTS

Chris Storey has recently been awarded the British Empire Medal (B.E.M) by King Charles 111 for his services to the steelpan culture.

Mangrove, defending champions led by arranger, André White, claimed the second spot with 276 points. Mangrove came out to ‘Mash Up’ the place with their spirited title defence and Andre White euphorically synced with his 100+ players, just as if he was behind his favourite double seconds. Their flag woman, Dara Houston, danced throughout the arrangement, Dara is known to be Mangrove’s outstanding, energetic and skilful flag waver. Her pre-performance set the tone while the band was still setting up, with moments of sheer joy witnessed by everyone in attendance.

Ebony Steel Band’s performance of Duvone Stewart’s musical arrangement of ‘Mash Up’ by the late Dexter ‘Blaxx’ Stewart gave the band their 23rd UK Steelband Panorama Champions title with 277 points. With Duvone Stewart chalking up his fourth collaboration with one of the UK and Europe’s finest steelbands.

Metronomes played in fifth position with a Vivian Miller’s musical arrangement of Out and Bad, keeping the audience fully entertained with their fiery execution right to the end. Their fire-eater epitomised their delivery with her timely acts in time with

the music. She received loud and appreciative encouragement from the crowds. Metronomes closed the competition with the audience begging for more.

The final decision of judges, Andy Narell, Annise ‘Haffers’ Hadeed and Robert Bailey, was that Ebony Steel Band delivered the goods, to clinch the UK 2022 National Steelband Panorama. Their presentation was outstanding in this national musical war. The presentation was declared a tribute to “Blaxx”, a good friend of Ebony Steel Band.

Each band was boisterously applauded after each performance. The UK National Steelband Panorama competition has and still is an iconic event to promote the steelband culture outside of Trinidad and Tobago. Many thanks to Fingazz and his Party Caribbean for their online coverage.

Norman Stewart

Master Steelpan Tuner !

His first experience of playing music at 5 years old was when his father brought a piano into the house for his sister who was having lessons. Not long after he was playing too. Finding it much easier to play by ‘ear’ rather than play while reading music. His brothers showed musical tendencies too, by learning to play the guitar. When our parents were out we would all form a band and start playing music together with a few additions like the washing up bowl, milk bottles and pots! This was the foundation to the start of his musical career and playing steelpan.

His sister informed him that the secondary school he was going to attend had plans to start a steelband. He had only ever seen a Steel Band on TV once before, so knew relatively nothing about them, but what he did know was that he wanted to be part of it. He had to audition with Roy Jacob, a Trinidadian who was the music teacher. Twenty children were chosen and he was not one of them. Roy told the schoolteacher that he should be added to the list.

He had a stroke of luck because his best friend was selected so he tagged along. After several attempts by Roy to show them what to play on the bass, they were all unsuccessful and he grasped the opportunity to say that he could do it. Roy allowed him to play and was amazed. Roy suggested to the teacher that he was added to the list and he was.

Roy only came back once after his initial visit and not to be deterred he brought together his friends to form his own band, ‘ Steel Circuit’. Their popularity and the band grew and needed more instruments. That was when he tried to make his first pan. Remembering it took an eternity to ‘sink’ and shape the pan. When it was finished he took it home and tried to tune it. Proud of his achievement, he arranged for Roy Jacob to review his efforts. To his disappointment, Roy told him that the pan will never tune but offered to teach him the art of tuning a pan. This was a formative point in his Steel Band career because he was invited to attend the Midlands Arts Centre and work with Roy Jacob and the Maestros Steelband.

He was not only learning to tune pans but became a regular member of the Maestros Steel Band at age 17. When he left school, Roy asked him to join him as his assistant, teaching in schools and running workshops. In October of that same year they went to Germany performing workshops and making pans for schools and community centres. Unfortunately, a week after returning from Germany, Roy Jacob passed away. He was devastated. He went to Trinidad

for the first time when he was 22, and with Solo Harmonites with 120 players. He has been back for the steelband panorama competition many times and played with Desperadoes, Phase II Pan Groove and Fonclaire.

He was the leader of the first steelband to play in the old Ukraine when Kiev was learning how much music could be viewed as a universal language, when words often fail. He has toured several European countries, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East and all over the UK including performances for the Queen and Prince Phillip. Hi television performances include Central ITV, Hairy Bikers, CBeebies and many radio stations. He also conducted workshops in schools community centres and prisons introducing thousands of people of all ages to the steelpan art form. His workshops included how to play a piece of music on steel drums, Steelband History, Making & Tuning of Steel Drums. Mr Pan Maestro boasts that he will travel anywhere in the UK to tune your steelpans, also offering a restoration service where old steelpan instrument are brought back to life.

Norman has been a member of the UK Steelpan Tuners Guild since it’s inauguration in 2008.

Please join Panpodium in congratulating Norman ‘Pan Maestro’ Stewart on achieving his Master Tuner’s Certificate from the UK Steelpan Tuners Guild.

BOOK REVIEWS

SKY BIG SURPRISE

BY ANTHONY ‘DPAN’ FRANCIS

About the Author - Anthony ‘DPAN’ Francis

Anthony ‘DPAN’ Francis from London, UK, has always had a love for all types of music from as early as he could remember. He took pleasure in singing and remembering chord movements of songs and bass lines and that has stayed with him all his life.

His first experience of hearing live music was at a venue that his parents would attend every Sunday called the Albany in great Portland Street where a live band would perform with bass and lead guitars, drums, keyboard, vocalist and a steelpan. He looked forward to this event every week, that had a great influence on his musical career and vision of the future for steelpans.

Once a month Anthony and his family would go down to the, the Tabernacle in Powis Square, where the big Steelbands like Ebony, Metronomes, Mangrove and London all Stars would perform along side the Soca DJs’ of the time, in the likes of Lord Sam, Shadow Hifi, Black Patch and Fats, this was a carnival event that showcased the Steelbands throughout the year.

In 1974, he attended his first London carnival and has attended and participated every year since. He fondly recollects his first Trinidad and Tobago carnival experience in 1975, an experience that he shared in his book, ‘The First Time.’

1983 was an iconic year for Anthony when he joined the Ebony Steelband at the age of 13. It was a long awaited moment and one he saw as an important step in his musical journey. During 1983 – 2005, he played with Ebony full time, gigging and touring worldwide.

following four years. They were one of the first youth steelband in this competition competing against the adults. Although they never won, they were never last. Their appearance at the competition set a trend as a lot of other youth steelbands follow their initiative.

Anthony’s musical quest saw him act in the role of Events Manager and Public Relations Officer for the London Brotherhood of Steel during the period 1998 to 2000. He also taught the art of playing in the steelpan instrument in various schools across London during 1995 – 2005. His tutorship saw many young people join established steelbands.

Anthony “DPAN’ Francis first began learning to play the steel pan instrument at age nine. After attending the Notting Hill carnival with his mother at the tender age of five, where he first saw and heard his father’s Steelband the ‘Ebony Steelband’ play and from that day onwards, he was totally captivated and mesmerised by the beautiful sounds of the instrument and the culture of Trinidad and Tobago, and so began his lifelong musical journey of playing, teaching, arranging and producing music with the only instrument to be invented in the 20th century, the Steel Pan. This is his first book of many to be written about his love for the steelband and its culture.

Get your copy now - ISBN 978-976-8289-62-9

He started arranging music in 1986, without any kind of formal training, solely by ear, I had a natural ability to arrange, without being taught how to do so, the first song I put down for the band was a tune called ‘Pan Progress’ written by the great, Dr. Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe, for ‘Phase II Pan Groove’ in that same year.

During 1991 – 1994, Anthony became the Project Director of the Ebony Steelband Trust, responsible for setting up and facilitating steelband classes, workshops and 1 to 1 one 2 sessions with young, old, abled and people with disabilities, spreading the steelpan culture all over the U.K.

Anthony formed his own youth steelband called Ebonique in 1995 with whom he entered the UK National Steelband Panorama competition for the

In 2006, he stopped playing with Ebony steelband and teaching in schools to focus on his own family and his music productions. This is when his concept, ‘Highly Dangerouz Productions’ was born. He performed with Asheber and the African Revolution Band in 2007 and started producing music and the concept for ‘Outta Da Box’ the album in 2009. He part launched Outta Da Box in 2012, with a few videos via You Tube. Anthony taught a branch of Ebony Steelband based in east London, called ‘Ebony East Steelband Academy during 2013 – 2015.

Anthony was very emotional, when he stated that he had played in every UK National Steelband Panorama competition during 1984 – 2015 except for 2006. He also played in nine UK Steelband Music Festivals, two World Steelband Music Festivals and 0ne World International Panorama with the Ebony Steelband.

Panpodium applauds this driven and exceptionally talented musician for his musical achievements to date and look forward to his future contributions.

His Majesty King Charles III honours local steellband leaderChris Storey BEM.

By Karen Rene

His Majesty King Charles III has in his first New Year’s Honours, bestowed the award of the British Empire Medal to Christopher Storey, teacher, arranger and manager of Pan Nation Steel Orchestra, for his services to steel pan music and to the community in Tottenham. It is apt that the UK should be graced with this homegrown steel pan maestro, given that Haringey was twinned with the town of Arima, Trinidad, the birthplace of the steelpan, in 1989. Since the steel pan was first played at the Festival of Britain on the 26 July 1951, the instrument has grown in popularity in the UK, and is now widely accepted as a musical and cultural artform in our multicultural society.

For over 25 years, Chris has taught children throughout schools in Haringey. He has wholeheartedly shared his love, knowledge and respect for this culturally rooted musical form, encouraging his students to be the best they can be. He is totally committed to ensure that all of his students, no matter their background, have access to steel pans, which are expensive to purchase.

Chris created Pan Nation Steel Orchestra (PNSO) from scratch 13 years ago and in that period he has worked tirelessly in his free time, to offer the youth a safe space to congregate, engage in positive activity and develop their musical skills with the goal of sharing this music and bringing the community together. Community cohesion is very important to Chris and is even at the root of the band’s name. Every summer Pan Nation hosts a Blockorama, a free live outdoor steel pan event, showcasing multiple steelbands which is held at Lordship Recreation Ground, as well as a Winter Concert every Christmas time at Gladesmore Community School. Pan Nation Steel Orchestra is the official steelband for Tottenham Hotspurs Football Club and throughout the football season they can be seen out in the community playing live at Spurs’ home matches.

Under Chris’s guidance, Pan Nation has become one of the foremost steelbands in the UK. In the most recent UK Panorama Competition, Pan Nation placed in the top three bands which was an excellent outcome for what was only their second time participating - on their first outing, they were voted winner of the People’s Choice! Chris’s dedication to promoting steel pan music has never waned and today, Pan Nation has grown into four discrete bands - the family now comprises the main band and three adult learner

bands. Through his work with Pan Nation, Chris has shone a positive light on Tottenham and his classes attract students from the Greater London area and beyond to the band’s base (pan yard) at Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School. His contribution to music teaching in Haringey is kindly supported by Haringey Music Service and he is also assisted by a group of Pan Nation volunteers.

In addition to teaching music, Chris is highly regarded as an arranger by his peers and his unique style has attracted the admiration of many including renowned Trinbagonian arranger and pannist Duvone Stewart . Chris has won numerous competitions and awards both as a pannist and arranger but he remains a man of immense humility. He lives to play and arrange steel pan music, fostering unity in joy, peace and purpose to all who play and to those who listen.

Steel the Show 2022

BY NHC/BAS

What is Steel the Show -

With 2021 being the 70th anniversary since the arrival of the Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO), formed to participate in the Festival of Britain on the 26th July 1951. The group was the first steelband to travel abroad from Trinidad and Tobago , presenting the 20th century acoustic instrument, the steelpan, to an international audience. This event showcased London’s finest youth steel bands’ appreciation to show the UK’s appreciation.

There are many children and young people who spend countless hours during the year as part of a steelpan programme, with very limited events to display their work. Steel the Show is a great opportunity and really brings the focus back to young people in the build up to the Notting Hill Carnival celebrations.

In its second year , the event provides a platform to showcase the versatility of the steelpan instrument and to show appreciation for the 70th anniversary of TASPO.

The participating steelbands are required to perform five rounds of different genres of music. They each have up to five minutes to perform the genres as listed:

• Soca/Calypso

• Pop

• Reggae

• Frank Rollock Round – Classical

• Wild Card – this year songs from Disney has been chosen.

The classical round pays homage to the late Frank Rollock who was well known for introducing and encouraging young people to play classical music on the steelpan.

Steel The Show is a great community day that focuses of young people leading up to the Carnival celebrations. It was held at Powis Square, London on Saturday 13 August 2022.

Participating bands were:

• Croydon Steel Orchestra,

• Ebony Steelband,

• Glissando Steel Orchestra,

• Mangrove Steelband,

• New Generation Steel Orchestra,

• Southside Harmonics and

• Sussex Steel Orchestra.

THE 10TH STEELPAN/CARNIVAL ARTS CONFERENCE MOVES TO WEST AFRICA IN DECEMBER 2023

BY PROFESSOR HAROUN SHAH

The 10th Steelpan/Carnival Arts Conference entitled “Rhythm of a People: Tradition, Connection, Innovation and Decolonisation” will take place in December 2023 (exact dates to be confirmed) in Sierra Leone and Ghana. The programme will comprise of 8 themes over 4 conference days, with two days each in Sierra Leone and Ghana. A third day in each country will be dedicated to live carnival arts performances.

The conference will encompass a diverse range of topics within carnival arts disciplines, including; its early history in Africa; the transatlantic slave trade to the Caribbean and the Americas; the emergence of carnival artforms; contemporary performance; diasporic contributions and its return to Africa. It will also showcase the profound development of steelpan in Africa particularly from Nigeria, where there are over 30 steelbands and burgeoning Panorama competitions, to South Africa where there are over 150 steelbands and annual festivals, with many bands fusing the Trinidadian instrument with their native Marimbas.

The format of the conference will remain unchanged from its initial model of 2006, with one morning and one afternoon session for each day’s theme and will consist of a mixture of invited main speakers interspersed with brief (10 minute) free presentations. The daily lunch periods will also host talks by invited Plenary Lecturers. We invite you to participate in this unique experience, in which anyone wishing to present will be accommodated through various media including oral, poster, digital and online presentations. As with previous meetings, each presenter will be required to submit a 300-500 word abstract, with a title and full correspondence address of the presenter.

Artistes (steelbands, calypsonians, mas’ makers etc.) who wish to perform on day three of the event, will need to submit a brief description (100 -200 words) of their act to help the organisers develop a coherent programme for each day. With the meeting being held in two countries on university campuses, participants may register for either one or both events, bearing in mind that the conference content of each conference meeting will be different.

Since its inception at the University of East London in 2006, we have endeavoured to create a forum in which practitioners of Carnival Arts and Academics can meet, exchange ideas, learn from each other, foster collaboration, and help to promote developments in the field. As we move toward our 10th meeting, and work with our partners in West Africa, our key objectives remain the same viz. to encourage anyone interested in the various artforms to attend - from grassroots artistes in Steelpan, Calypso/Soca/Caribbean Music, Mas, Sound Systems to enthusiasts and academics across the broad field of Humanities.

Many carnival arts skills are passed down orally, which help to build a holistic chronicle of carnival arts but many of our icons in various fields pass away without narrating their experiences. To remedy this, we have compiled all abstracts from the first conference in 2006 and published summaries of each meeting, together with videos and live streaming where possible.

The Website - https://www.steelpanconference. com was created by Laila Shah to archive all material and she can be contacted via this link for further information.

Mindful of the restricted information that can be conveyed in an Abstract, the authors went on to establish the biannual ‘International Journal of Carnival Arts’ (IJCA- ISSN-2752-342X) in June 2020 (Volume 1) using the above website as its portal. Papers may be submitted by anyone, but all are peer-reviewed through a global editorial board of over 80 editors which includes some 20 universities, steelbands, Mas bands and calypsonians.

A summary of the 9th conference held at Oxford Brookes University (1-2nd July 2022) is published in Volume 6 of IJCA (December 2022). We aim to devote an entire volume of IJCA to papers that emanate from the 10th conference in Sierra Leone and Ghana.

CD REVIEW

CLYDE ‘LIGHTNING’ GEORGE - STEELIN THE NIGHT.

Steelin’ The Night by Clyde “Lightning” George is a live recording from Chambers in Chicago. Clyde “Lightning” George has enjoyed jazz jams at Chicago Clubs since 1980, after moving to Chicago from Trinidad. The jam sessions presented on this CD are led by John Bany. John, also known as Granpabass and the Chicago Jam King, first met Clyde in 1981. It was the first time John had a steelpan in one of his jams and he loved it. Since then, John and Clyde have enjoyed hundreds of jams together. John says “Clyde understands the music and the jam protocol. He always brings a spark to every jam he joins.” George Bean, on trumpet in all selections on this CD, has been jamming with Clyde since the ’80s along with John. When Clyde steps away from his pans during a session, you will likely see George stand behind the pans blowing his horn into the notes of the pan “I love to hear the tones reverberating back from the pan notes. The pan is an exciting, new jazz instrument and Clyde is a great player” George Bean said. The jazz artists heard on this CD are legends themselves: John Bany, George Bean, John Young, and Don Stille.

Songs: Jordu, Song For My Father, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, Yesterdays, Mr. P.C., Scrapple From the Apple and Girl From Ipanema

READERS LETTERS

Hi PP

The entertainment industry especially the steelband fraternity has suffered from the global pandemic. I hope that 2023 brings more opportunities for the steelpan artform to continue to evolve and keep abreast of the now digital world we seem to live in currently. Thanks for keeping us updated. Your valuable work is greatly appreciated. See you at the 2023 Trinidad Panorama.

Kelly Wilson

Toronto, Canada

Hello Panpodium

As the world evolves from the pandemic, global warming and the war. Everything has become more difficult to achieve but we must continue to aspire to attain our dreams/visions/goals. For steelbands to survive, we must invest in efficient technology in this digital era, acquire tenure of our pan yards to provide stability, invest in our people/ musicians to achieve continuity and lastly, we must provide the necessary help and support to our members’ well being. Effective and spirited management of our institutions will reap rewards. These measures will see the battle for our steelband’s existence continue far into the future.

Esther Ryan

Carenage, Grenada

Big Up Bro

Buoy dis Pandemic ting and the war in the Ukraine really put the world on hold for a some time. Now de people facing ecomonic hardship. When I listen to my steel band music and tek meh smoke and drink, I forget all about these tings. Ah hoping that de return of We carnival this year, since 2020, really helps to restore some stability for our people. Please continue to spread de Pan gospel brother. You doing ah real good ting man. After all is We ting!

Ras Spirit Asher

Diego Martin, Trinidad

Hey PP Team

After the restrictions of the Pandemic it was great to be able to attend the Ebony and Pan Nation Blockoramas, the concerts in Holland Park Opera House, Panorama, Jouvert, Carnival on the Road and Pan Nation, Endurance and Ebony Winter concerts. Not forgetting Mangove’s first Dinner and Awards. It is so good to have all these events back and I am looking to many more in 2023. Thanks to the UK Steelpan fraternity.

Chris Abdool London, England

Steel Tribe

The newest pan-round-neck band in Britain!

Formerly known as Euphoria, under the guiding hand of Rachel Rankin-Hayward, the band was formed in 2011. Based in Brighton, they were originally a community workshop band. They played for various community events, such as Brighton’s annual Burning the Clocks and Children’s parades. As the only walking steel band in the south east area, and one of a few single pan bands in the country, they soon became a regular fixture at similar events and perform throughout the South of England.

When Rachel retired from the band, they regrouped and reformed as Steel Tribe, with Theo Chin Chit as their musical director.

Following the turmoil of the Covid 19 lockdown, they needed to find a new practice base. They are now based on the edge of Brighton and perform throughout Sussex at fixed and walking events.

Looking to the future, they have evolved from the original workshop band, and now practice weekly, building their repertoire and honing their skills. They have a core of dedicated players who love playing pan, while also spotting and supporting new talent.

Steel Tribe now perform throughout the year, for public and private events. If you would like to book Steel Tribe to play at your event, please contact Julie via email - juliebutler28@ yahoo.co.uk or call 07462244829.

FEATURE

Carnival Events at Opera Holland Park

Featuring the Carnival Arts

Carnival Village Trust is London’s development agency for Carnival Arts. They host strategic arts venues and work with carnival arts organisations. As well as facilitating arts workshops and small projects, they have been behind major events such as Notting Hill Carnival.

In partnership with Kensington and Chelsea Festival, Carnival Village Trust organised for Notting Hill Carnival’s return to Opera Holland Park for summer 2022 for the second time. CVT brought a programme of calypso, steelpan and Caribbean jazz to the theatre on 17, 19 and 20 August which celebrated the culture and heritage of Carnival.

Steelband Summer held on the 17 August 2022, showcased London’s finest steelbands. Ebony, Endurance, Mangrove and Pan Nation who took their audience on a musical journey of musical renditions both old and new, with a special performance by Anne Fridal.

Calypso Masquerade held on the 18 August 2022 saw sterling performances by local calypsonians, Alexander D Great, Giselle Carter and Helena B.

Pan Jazz held on Friday 19 August 2022 was an evening of Caribbean jazz from the Engine Room Collective featuring steelpan virtuosi Andre White, Samuel Dubois, Carlene “Sweet Wrists” Etienne, Deborah “Pan Diva” Eden, Duvone Stewart and Annise “Haffers” Hadeed.

A night with David Rudder hosted on the 20 August 2022, saw Rudder, one of Trinidad and Tobago’s top calypsonians of our time blessed the stage and fully entertained his audience, who danced in the aisles and on stage to his world renowned hits, such as The Hammer, Calypso Music, High Mass and many more.

This series of performances was part of the Kensington and Chelsea Festival 2022 which was born out of a desire to lift spirits through celebrating culture and creativity. It included creative experiments enabling audiences to see artists bring new ideas to life spanning the summer months. Everyone is now looking forward to the CVT’s 2023 events in Opera Holland Park.

Pan in Poland with UNICEF

by Adam Mold, Ambers Steel Band Musical Director and Vice-Director of ‘Fundacje Ambers’.

“If the Second World War wouldn’t have happened, this instrument, possibly wouldn’t have existed’. It was a statement I thought of on the spot, grasping to connect with the audience I found myself in front of - a hall full of Polish and Ukrainian teens who have been thrust together whether they liked it or not since the abrupt invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. As debatable as the claim was, it seemed to have the desired effect of piquing the interest of children and youth in schools across Gdynia for the next 6 weeks of a UNICEF funded project.

Hitting the rewind slightly, as some of you might know Ambers Steel Band is the only Pan movement currently in Poland and since its inception in 2013 has always endeavored to bring people, mainly children and youth to date, together whatever their background to experience music, and not merely learn it. We have always enjoyed a good relationship with the powers that be in Gdynia City Hall, and the end of 2021 saw us being granted a room for our practices in a large local school. We didn’t know it at the time, but when war broke out, this school would become a focal point for receiving Ukrainian refugees and arranging places for them to stay. It was from here that children and

teenagers were placed into Polish classes. While the intent was good, it was plain to see that this created new problems over time. The Ukrainian youth didn’t understand Polish and so slowed the progress for the rest of the class, many of which were in preparation for final exams. This led to resentment, not only between Polish youth, who had just themselves come out of a global pandemic, and the Ukrainian, but between the Ukrainian youths themselves. Fights between traumatised Ukrainians became commonplace in schools and most teachers were not equipped to deal with the situation, not having had time to prepare for a wave of refugees of this magnitude beforehand.

Our own charity organisation ‘Fundacja Ambers’ (The ‘Ambers Foundation’) has been heavily involved since March 2022, headed by my wife, organising Polish lessons for women who suddenly have found themselves in an alien environment. They’ve had to find jobs and be able to communicate and take care of everyday things that most take for granted. Part of that project was training and equipping teachers and volunteers on how to recognise and deal with trauma, with

the help of a specialised psychologist. An idea had begun to form of a city wide project where a team of specially trained teachers would be sent to every major school in the city which had a large population, not only of Ukrainian refugees, but foreigners from lots of different places.

The aim was to focus on what makes us similar as opposed to different and promote tolerance and empathy. Steel Pan, in our minds is the living embodiment of what we were trying to convey and so after every class in a school would have had their workshops, at the end of the week, the whole school would gather to see a mini concert - my wife and I playing a number of recognisable songs while talking about how Pan brings together communities.

As the project took shape it grabbed the attention of UNICEF who funded the entire project. Come late November the program was in full swing. So there I was, standing there, aware that some of these kids had recently lost everything and seen things I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I was also starkly aware that many of them didn’t even want to be there. We went on to tell the tale inspired by Kim Johnson’s docu-drama ‘PAN - Our Music Odyssey’ of youths stealing oil barrels from an American airbase after the war and starting the flame of a movement which is now global.

For younger children, we focused on the story of Samuel Mold, our son who dreamed of playing Panorama in London and now dreams of his first Panorama in Trinidad. We would invite the audience to try the instrument out and explain how it’s made and tuned. The feedback from teachers and headmasters has been overwhelmingly positive, but by far the most satisfying aspect was the engagement of the children, often distanced at the start but by the end coming up to us and flooding us with questions and often just to say thank you.

Ambers Steel Band celebrates its tenth Anniversary this Spring of 2023 and as we reflect on where we have been and what we have done in this time, a standout moment for sure has been the ability to take an instrument which continues to thrive worldwide and use it to give a slither of hope that something good can come out of conflict whether it be global, or in your own class or workplace. Pan continues to inspire and the healing power of music is undeniable.

The Cambridge University Steel Pan Society (CUSPS)

CUSPS was founded by the students of Lucy Cavendish College in 2009, with the aim to “promote the history and culture of steelpan and Caribbean culture in one of the most traditional English settings”, as written in their original mission statement. From October 2022, the society started partnering with Saint Michael’s and All Angels Steel Orchestra (SMA3SO) and their very own Musical Director, Patrick McKay, who is following on from Anna Lawrence, the previous Musical Director of many years.

The Cambridge University Steel Pan Society (CUSPS) is open to all members of the University of Cambridge, regardless of musical skill level; CUSPS warmly welcomes both beginners and experienced pannists. CUSPS is the only music society in Cambridge which welcomes complete beginners with no previous experience of steel pans, or any musical instrument! CUSPS performs at various events throughout the year, most notably Cambridge May Balls and in the past.

They teach their members how to play the steel pan from scratch, and play music ranging from Stevie Wonder to ABBA and Clean Bandit. They welcome players of all abilities and also encourage their members to try arranging pieces for the band themselves. They typically perform for garden parties and May Balls at the end of the year, as well as busking in the town centre at the end of term. They welcome drummers with some experience to join them and utilise their drum kit to its full potential.

They also offer all their band members the chance to learn about the history and culture of the instrument, and to engage with the broader steel pan community in the UK through events such as the Panorama competition at Notting Hill Carnival, and Steelpan conferences.

They practise every Monday evening at Jesus College, however newcomers can choose when to attend practices as they provide a very relaxing atmosphere at CUSPS. They usually hold three sessions on Mondays in Michaelmas, two for beginners and another for more experienced pannists. In Lent and Easter Term, there are

only be two sessions on Mondays. Their current President, Williti Okailey Ofei and members of CUSPS continue to spread the steelpan gospel and the wonderful work that CUSPS has done in promoting the steelpan culture and its music.

SWISS SOCA FESTIVAL 2022

Promoting the Soca, Calypso and Steelband Culture of Trinidad and Tobago

The first edition of Swiss Soca festival took place in 2017. Prior to 2017, the organisers held regular Soca parties and slowly recognised that they wanted to do more for the Soca, Calypso as well as the Caribbean cultural platform in Switzerland. The idea of a soca weekender that could attract Soca Lovers from near and far, and also give visitors something special that was different from other carnivals and festivals. The Swiss Caribbean Experience is all about the fusion and appreciation of the different cultural aspects. As such, founders Christina and Raphael (DJ Iray), decided to create the first edition of the Swiss Soca Festival, on a train, on their way home from a gig. Since then they have hosted international guest artistes in the likes of Teddyson John, Shurwayne Winchester, Fadda Fox, Kimba Sorzano and national and international DJs. The weekender events included open air fetes, boat rides, concert nights, as well as BBQ events.

The sixth edition in 2022, marked new developments for the Swiss Soca Festival. Firstly it was the first appearance of a live steelband in the likes of Out Of The Blue Steel Band (OOTB). Led by legendary pannist, arranger and tutor, Junior Edwards. OOTB certainly added the true Trini flavour to the festival with their energetic, melodious and captivating musical strains of sweet steelband music that had the audience dancing.

2022, also saw the introduction of a Colour J’Ouvert called ‘Soca Colours’, as the opening event. The first of its kind in Switzerland.

Since 2017, In order to give the Swiss and tourists a taste of the Swiss Soca Festival, it has been hosted in more than fifteen venues in different cities in Switzerland, such as Lucerne, Zürich und Zug. They boast of more than a 1,000 visitors each year with 3-4 events yearly and is continually growing. To date, the festival has attracted visitors from all over Switzerland, England, France, Germany, USA, and even from Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.

The festival is organised by a non-profit association. It is fully supported by the Swiss Soca Crew, a group of Soca Lovers based in Switzerland. Neither the organizers, nor bar, food, entrance or promotional teams are paid. It is all voluntary. All financial proceeds from the festival is fully invested in future projects to promote the rich Caribbean culture especially Soca and Calypso in Switzerland and introducing as many people as possible to the versatility, joy, friendships and positive vibes it brings.

The 2023 edition takes place from 8th to 10th of September 2023, with a pre-event on May 13. This year’s edition is taking place in the city of Zug in the middle of Switzerland. More information will soon be announced on www.soca-festival.ch.