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.