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.