Exploring the different aspects of the Steelpan Artform
The beauty of music is that it connects people
Spreading the Steelpan Gospel online.
Pan in Poland.
the essential magazine for steelpan culture news • reviews • interviews • special features ISSUE 28 / SPRING 2021
6/7 ARRANGERS CORNER
Exporing the Steelpan Art Form.
8/9 TRISTAN RUSSELL LYNCH
Music can change the World because it can change People.
10/11 X-CLUSIVE - ARTS
With a Difference.
12/13 DR LEN ‘BOOGSIE’ SHARPE
Doctor of Letters (Dlitt) for steelpan arrangement, compostion and performance.
14/15 BOOK REVIEWS/ ALPHA PAN PIONEERS
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement
16/17 AMBERS STEEL BAND
Taking Pan to Poland.
18/19 STEEL PAN CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Caring for your Instrument!
20/21 CD REVIEWS/ READERS LETTERS Review and Reflection on CDs and Letters
22/23 METRONOMES STEEL ORCHESTRA
Spreading the Steelpan Gospel Online!
24/25 WADE AUSTIN AND STEELPAN IN MOTION Musicians are the Messengers!
26/27 AMAZING RACE
32 - 1ST LEG
It ain’t easy playing a Pan that is.
29 SONICS TOKYO STEEL ORCHESTRA Making Sound Waves.
30/31 JONATHAN SCALES
Pan Music from the State of hisMind!
Hello2020-21 see Panpodium and its global social media partners actively supporting and promoting all steelband activities online. The Pandemic has certainly affected the entertainment industry including the world steelpan community. With limited or no live events owing to the restrictions implemented to prevent the spread of the virus, it has proven to be an uphill struggle for steelbands to operate normally.
Struggle is not something new to the steelband fraternity. The trials and tribulations that the steelpan art form has endured since its creation has seen our pioneers step up and develop the instrument to keep abreast of the changing times. The creation of the E Pan, PHI and Steelpan Apps have enabled its musicians to embrace the digital era and for the steelpan to evolve with the times.
Educational online programs like the Arrangers Corner and Pan Chronicles enabled its participants to share, learn and develop their understanding of different aspects of the musical world of the steelpan. Numerous online educational shows and performances by steelbands all over the world have continued to entertain its audiences in these restrictive times. These digital presentations also revealed its versatility when restrictions forbid its live performances. ‘The road made to walk on carnival day’ is a popular song that we all have heard over the years and in 2020/21 a digital road was created so carnivalists could continue to enjoy this iconic event that has been live on the roads since its inception.
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 conventional musical instruments.
Panpodium continues to assist in the promotion of the steelpan and its culture through its digital media platforms and in conjunction with our universal media partners to ensure that we are reaching the wider audiences and capturing virgin territories.
We offer many thanks to our global social media partners for their unselfish efforts in the promotion of the steelpan 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.
Pan 4 Life! Pan 4 Life!
An initiative to explore and share the different aspects of steelpan artform!
The Arrangers Corner was born out of a conversation between Andre White and Sheldon Thwaites as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. Restrictions on live performances saw this young and talented duo put on their thinking cap to innovate and start thinking outside the box to create something that would have a positive effect and make an impact on the lives of musicians globally who were also experiencing the same issues with the global lock down.
they just create the musical piece and hope that with intense drilling the players will be able to execute. What were the thought processes of other arrangers to achieve the ultimate goal?
These thoughts triggered his imagination and the idea of creating a digital discussion platform during this Covid 19 era was born. He figured that it would be a good idea to give people more of a better understanding as to the concepts involved and what to really listen in for as well as to gain the perspectives of other musical stalwarts in the steelpan fraternity. Especially during this time of isolation, self-reflection, and preservation during this pandemic.
As a result, Arrangers Corner has so far had the pleasure and opportunity to host some of the world’s renowned arrangers in the likes the notable Ray Holman, Amrit Samaroo, Leon Foster Thomas, Andy Narell, Michelle HugginsWatts, Duvone Stewart and Annise Hadeed. These seasoned arrangers have certainly contributed a wealth of information, ideas and experiences that will benefit everyone involved in the artform.
The Arrangers Corner was born out of a conversation between Andre White and Sheldon Thwaites as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. Restrictions on live performances saw this young and talented duo put on their thinking cap to innovate and start thinking outside the box to create something that would have a positive effect and make an impact on the lives of musicians globally who were also experiencing the same issues with the global lock down.
Straight after Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband Panorama 2020, the dynamic duo was discussing certain musical arrangements played at that competition and the different approaches that the arrangers took as they would normally do after the competition to wider their knowledge and broaden their
Straight after Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband Panorama 2020, the dynamic duo was discussing certain musical arrangements played at that competition and the different approaches that the arrangers took as they would normally do after the competition to wider their knowledge and broaden their musical horizons.
After their conversation, Andre started to wonder and question himself whether other arrangers hear and conceptualize the musical renditions played at the T&T National Steelband competition in the same way as they did. His curiosity around what did other arrangers and musicians did or thought about the different musical concepts being implemented and utilised to get the best performance from their bands.
His thoughts went wild as his inquisitive mind started working laboriously. He wondered what approach did arrangers adopt when approaching a panorama tune, did they gauge their players dexterity with the instrument to decide how complicated their arrangements could be to achieve the best results or would
Not resting on their laurels, Andre and Sheldon have decided to continue the sessions focusing on all the aspects of the steelpan industry , gaining insight as to the business and performing aspects/techniques of becoming a successful professional panist/arranger/ composer. Everyone is waiting with bated breath on what their next series will cover.
Do not miss out on these knowledgeable and informative sessions. Log in and enjoy the wealth of musical information on offer as all sessions in the series are recorded.
Do not miss out on these knowledgeable and informative sessions. Log in and enjoy the wealth of musical information on offer as all sessions in the series are recorded.
Tristan, 16, comes from a very long line of steelpan musicians. His great uncles, Robert ‘Robbie’ and Roger Greenidge, are known global steelpan icons and so was his great great uncle, Carl ‘Bumpy Nose’ Greenidge who was a wellknown Trinidadian pan player and tuner with Desperadoes Steel Orchestra.
Tristan started playing music at age 5 with the recorder and progress to the steelpan. When asked about when he was first introduced to steelpan he replied, ‘From when I was a baby but I can only remember from when I was five years old.’
Tristan’s musical inspiration comes from his father, Justin ‘Microdot’ Russell who is a very well-respected and extremely talented pan musician and a veteran of Mangrove Steelband. In fact, even Tristan’s grandmother, Annette Greenidge Russell, used to play for the ‘Mangrove Eagles’, which is Mangrove’s development steelband. Looking at Tristan’s family’s musical background it would seem that he was destined to be a pan player.
The first steelband he played with is of course Mangrove Steelband. His versatility and dexterity with the instrument has enabled him to be able to play the double seconds, double guitars, tenors and cellos. Tristan’s first appearance at the Notting Hill National Steelband Panorama competition was in 2016. To date he has played at this competition four times and the experience has increased his confidence and this is reflected in his skilful playing.
When asked about the Panorama experiences Tristan stated with a smile, ‘every Panorama I’ve taken part in has been a blast. It really gives me insight into my culture as well as my heritage. It also inspires me to pursue music in school.’ He has not taken part in any steelband tours as yet but is hopeful that after this global pandemic he will do so with the Mangrove Steelband in the future.
When questioned about his most challenging experience to date with steelpan music he replied, ‘when I had to memorise the song Mangrove was playing at Panorama because I was away for around 1-2 weeks. It was very hectic but I still managed to get it done’. This clearly shows the ability of this budding musician. His most memorable experience was when Mangrove Steelband won the National Steelband Panorama twice.
Tristan has played in the Cello Section for the past four years in Mangrove Steel Band and hopes to venture into different sections and
play all the steelpan instruments. His role in the steelband is very important as he is a member of a team and with a team it is always We Not I. He said, ‘despite me not having a particular title, I still believe my role is as important as anyone else’s because if I mess up, the whole band is affected. Vice versa, if I sound amazing, it’ll help the whole band sound even more amazing.’ That is such a true statement. He continued, ‘you must have a lot of patience and determination. Persistence is key as there’s a lot of parts of music to learn and it can be easily muddled up or forgotten. Also, never be afraid to ask for help because everyone in the Band is willing to help you. Team work is key in a steelband and music is universal so everyone shares and helps.’ Tristan’s favourite pan is the double seconds, he says that he is oddly drawn to it and his great uncle, Robbie Greenidge, is a master on that pan so the future looks bright for young Tristan. His musical ability has no bounds as he plays the violin in his school’s orchestra and has performed in the orchestra many times as well in quartets and chamber orchestras.
Classical music is one of his musical passions. Tristan hopes to play music on both the steel pan and violin for as long as possible and hopefully, make music himself that he enjoys and hopefully other people will enjoy too. He hopes that the steelpan will become even more mainstream and more accepted around the world and amongst conventional musical instruments. He hopes that pan will finally get the recognition it deserves not only in the Caribbean community, but on more mainstream platforms. His parting remark was that he hopes to continue playing for Mangrove Steel Band, playing violin in his school’s orchestra & quartet and hopefully, make music that he is passionate about.
Panpodium salutes this young aspiring musician who has the determination and patience to deal with the barriers presented to him in his musical career and the persistence to overcome them and achieve his goals.
At the age of eight Everold started showing great interest in drawing, in fact at that time he started drawing cartoon characters like Super Man, Batman, Space Goose, Ghost Buster and Pink Panther to name a few. The appreciation and commendations he received from his school mates encouraged him to start selling his drawings to them. He progressed so quickly that he created a book which also drew great attention and demand so Everold gave his full attention to producing books of his drawings.
Little did he realised that this was the beginning of his creative talents which would lead him to a career in graphic arts. Everold attended the Mucurapo Junior Secondary where he was very successful (‘went over the wall’, as will be said in Trinidad). His educational journey saw him progress to the Mucurapo Senior Secondary where he took
Art as a subject. He graduated with a Grade 2 in Art and immediately enrolled in a new skills program initiated by the Trinidad and Tobago Government entitled Y.T.E.P.P. He took Graphic Arts on that program and linked up with a good friend by the name of Gregory Mitchell.
Everold thirst for education in the Arts saw him enrolled on an entrepreneurship course for three months. Following his attendance on that course Gregory and Everold were approached by a gentleman to start a textile graphics business called Street Wears. They both put a lot of dedication and efforts into making it a success but in the end, they were the losers as he stated, ‘we were robbed’.
After that horrible experience Everold started doing his own thing for about a year or two before Gregory suggested that their friend Curtis and Everold start their own business,
X-klu-sive Arts was born. Not long after Curtis left the business and Gregory sadly passed away, so Everold legally register the name X-klu-sive Arts and is still operating today.
X-klu-sive Arts is a company engaged in the provision of Designs and Supply of Art or Art work, in the form of logos, drawings and or designs for the use of air brushed paintings and signage services for the Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Sectors of the Trinidad and Tobago.
X-klu-sive Arts is embodied by a whole wealth of painting knowledge and talent with flair. We at x-klu-sive Arts bring with us an added zest for life, it’s uplifting Art, celebrating life itself.
X-klu-sive Arts promises to bring a new age on art / painting, featuring Air brushing, Signs, Banners, Customized T-shirt, Customized Bed Rooms, Interior / Exterior Designs and Paintings, Temporary Tattoos / Body Art with a radical difference from 32 years of experience in the professional field.
Interested in Everold’s art work then please contact him @ xklusivearts@gmail.com. This very skilled artist has so much to offer with his vision and your commission you could both make history.
Acclaimed steelband arranger Len “Boogsie” Sharpe received his honorary degree from the University of the West Indies (The UWI) at its 2020 graduation ceremonies. Boogsie was awarded a Doctor of Letters (DLitt) for steelpan arrangement, composition, and performance.
The honorary doctorates are in keeping with a tradition of recognising Caribbean excellence in a wide variety of fields such as music, theatre, public service, medicine, agricultural science and entrepreneurship among others. The awards were approved by the University Council, which has sanctioned over 500 honorary degrees since 1965.
Boogsie, who formed his Phase II Pan Groove Steel Orchestra in 1972, is noted worldwide for his craft. Boogsie has amazed audiences globally and each Carnival season, aficionados from across the globe make the pilgrimage to his panyard, ‘The Village’ to experience his genius first hand.
Despite the many obstacles he persevered and today has arranged for at least 30 other steel bands across Trinidad and Tobago. His mother, Grace, always said that he got his nickname, Boogsie, when she was lifting him up to get a view of his cousin Rupert ‘Shadow’ Nathaniel’s Symphonettes Steelband practising and felt an angel pass over and said, “Boogsie”. That name has been personified by this mystical musical genius that when someone hears the name they think of the sweet strains of steelband music.
Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe was virtually presented with his Honorary Doctorate by Chancellor Robert Bermudez and the presentation was followed by a scintillating performance by the veteran pannist.
Boogsie’s genius has given to pan music worldwide a musical sophistication that has not yet been understood and valued.
with Feeling Nice in ’87 and Woman is Boss in ’88. This panyard has been the playground for this savant-like genius, exploring the science of boom acoustic of the pan and its musical phenomena and potential. This Mozart/Art Tatum of pan has explored the full tonal potential of the boom acoustic instrument and its music — his skill in ascertaining rhythms and tonal clusters with undulating melodies and harmonics in the most complexed asymmetry is beyond the conventional — and is uniquely his. As an arranger, Phase II has become Boogsie’s instrument, with a palette of skilled pannists all technically set and ready to lay the canvas for his music.
Len ‘Boogsie Sharpe’s close friend and fellow musician, Michael Boothman said, ‘In my humble and careful survey, Boogsie has set the standard for pan music to the highest level and should not be judged in any competition.’
Dr Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe is a true Trinbago and global musical icon who has taken our national instrument, the steelpan, far and wide across the globe spreading the steelpan gospel and his genius with selfless effort and making the world aware of our unique 20th century acoustic instrument and its music. .
Doctor of Letters (Dlitt) for steelpan arrangement, composition and performance!
Over fifty years of compositions solely for pan with a pan theatre called, ‘The Village’, Phase II Pan Groove’s panyard has become an institution of learning for the best of pan players and musicians in the region and around the world. Since Phase II’s early beginnings in 1972, students and professional pannists from the Caribbean, Japan, US, Europe and Africa, have engaged in this centre of pan music. Phase II has played their “own tune” composed by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe from 1975. The band has had many close calls at achieving glory and it was not until 1987 and 1988 with back-to-back victories that they were able to get their just rewards. They did it
CARNIVAL - A PHOTOGRAPHIC AND TESTIMONIAL HISTORY OF THE
PUBLISHED BY RICENPEAS
EDITOR: ISHMAHIL BLAGROVE JR.
What an interesting read. Carnival is a three hundred and fifty-one pages hardback that is filled with a collection of photographs and testimonies which was primarily assembled with the aim of addressing various historical fallacies surrounding the genesis of the Notting Hill Carnival. It reveals some of the obstacles and challemges faced by the community out of which the carnival was born, acknowledging many of the anoymous and forgotten pioneers, activists, musicians, and performerswhose contributionshowever great or small transfored what could have otherwise been an insignificant street festival held in one of Britain’s most deprived and racially divided areas into one of the most well attended and lively celebrations of international culture, costume, music and dance anywhere in the world.
The book is dedicated to Rhaune Laslett, founder of the Notting Hill Carnival whose words, ‘ It was the emergence of an oppressed and disadvantaged people waiting to express itself’ epitomised what is now the largest street festival in Europe and host millions of people. It is also dedicated and published in memory of the late Allan ‘Capitan’ Thornhill who contributed his personal unpublished archive of photographs documenting decades of Carnival history.
His personal collection was the starting point and inspiration for the public exhibitions of photographs which led to this book. Capitan dedicated his last days to helping piece together the unwritten history of the Notting Hill Carnival during the making of this book.
Whilst Carnival’s manifestation in many countries is linked to dates in the Christian calendar particularly Lent and Christmas, Notting Hill Carnival is free of such associations, taking place on the streets over the UK August Bank Holiday weekend.
Please ensure you get your copy of this publication. It is one for your collection as it is filled with volumes of visual and testimonial history of the Notting Hill Carnival from its initiation tracking its great development over the decades to be a main ingredient in cultural fabric of Britain today.
ISBN: 978-0-9545293-2-1
‘Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.’
Alpha Pan Pioneers stemmed out of the idea of having a steelband where the youths of the St. Joseph Scarborough R.C Church and people around the Bacolet/Scarborough community could learn more about the culture and national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago.
In 2014, Mathias Marfan and his daughter Marina Marfan reached out to Mr. Malomo Joseph of the Southern Marine Steel Orchestra who donated the first set of instruments for the band along with a bag of pan sticks. A meeting was later held with persons interested in joining the band and with support of Father Steve Duncan, the church agreed to house the steelband.
Since the inception of the band in 2014, Alpha Pan Pioneers has performed and competed at many events throughout Trinidad and Tobago. The band placed first at Music Festival in 2016 and 2018. Alpha Pan Pioneers has made its mark in the National Panorama competition by qualifying for the finals in 2018 and 2019. In 2020, the band brought on board Keishaun Julien to coarrange with Marina Marfan for the panorama competition.
That same year, Alpha Pan Pioneers placed 1st in the Tobago Junior Panorama Competition.
Besides performing, Alpha Pan Pioneers focuses on shaping individuals into well-rounded persons while using the instrument as a stress reliever and an escape from everyday life. In addition, the band assists in the music liturgy in the church and is also used as an educational mechanism for persons who study music as a subject at school.
After a year of being dormant due to Covid-19, the band only recently resumed practice since the 2020 Carnival season and plans on releasing content online as a means to keep the players active while showcasing the steelpan online.
Achievement and Highlights
• Junior Panorama Champs 2020 (Tobago)
• National Panorama Finalist 2018, 2019
• King of the Road 2019
• Music Festival Champs Junior Ensemble 2018 (Tobago)
• Music Festival Champs 2016 and 2018 (National)
BY ADAM MOLD
Poland is the 9th largest country in Europe (8th not Including Russia). Poland is not a small country, it is actually one of the largest ones.
Poland is bigger than Italy and the UK. The name “Poland” (Polska) has a meaning. It originates from the name of the tribe Polanie, which means “people living in open fields”. Pan in Poland is entering its 6th year of existence. Born in the UK, and having grown up in schools that taught Pan in the UK, and having gone through that system, I left college armed with a single tenor Pan which I took with me when I moved to Poland in 1999. I had played other instruments at school and outside; played in both Steel Bands and Rock
groups and developed a strong rock vocal which I put to use on the mission field in Poland amongst youth.
In Poland, there was no Pan and very little, if any understanding what exactly was this instrument and how it could be utilised. My own Pan lay in my closet for many years, but an idea was forming at the back of my mind about starting the first school of Pan in Poland. Pan was and still is an expensive instrument and the idea seemed like a pipe dream until some very good friends of ours with whom we had been working creatively for a number of years decided they would sponsor our instruments and Ambers Steel Band was born.
The beginnings were extremely difficult, but it gained momentum thanks to a list of pupils I had been teaching English to for many years and were intrigued by this innovative concept. Other difficulties included space to practise, transport for concerts, tuning the instruments and lastly, with which we still fight today, recognition of the instrument as a viable choice of instrument to play for a wide spectrum of ages.
In December 2019, we staged a concert to include 5 bands we have had the pleasure to train in those six years. Two main Ambers Steel Bands, ‘Dreamsound’ Steel Band (made up of adults with Down’s syndrome and learning disabilities) and the newly formed ‘Ambers Montessori’ Steel Band. Officials from the city hall attended the celebration. With the help of PanExel from Trinidad (run by Ronald and Sherene Matthews) we were set to open up two more Pan Centres in Poland summer of 2020 when they were to come and lend their expertise and support, we founded a charity to help find further funding for the
program. – and then Covid hit us all.
Our bands were shut down instantly, and even though in July we were able to assemble students from our two main bands, PanExel were unable to come, and the Montessori Band in all likelihood will not continue. Our plans to expand the program are on hold till 20231 when hopefully the cancelled trip will happen. The challenge going forward will be keeping those existing players motivated going forward. Many of their parents have lost jobs during the crisis, so whether they are able to afford to continue is also in question. We’d like to ask the whole Pan community to keep us in thoughts and prayers as we try to keep this amazing instrument afloat in troubled waters and we also keep you all close to us as we know many similar ventures, even in places where Pan is well established, face similar troubles
BY UK STEELPAN TUNERS GUILD
It is obviously very important that you learn how to take proper care of steel pans after having spent hundreds of dollars to purchase them, not to mention the amount of time that you spent selecting the best steel pans. Here are a few useful tips to ensure that your investment lasts quite a number of years.
It is obviously very important that you learn how to take proper care of steel pans after having spent hundreds of dollars to purchase them, not to mention the amount of time that you spent selecting the best steel drums. Here are a few useful tips to ensure that your investment lasts quite a number of years.
If you treat your steelpan with the correct care and attention it deserves then you will continue to enjoy the sweet strains of melodious music you can play on it!
It is relatively easy to protect and care for your steel pans. The important fact to remember is that they are fragile like any other musical instrument. A well cared for steel pan can be played for years.
• Gently wipe the surfaces of your pan with a cheesecloth or soft cotton material before and after use.
• Always play your steelpan using correct pan sticks and correct playing techniques.
• Apply chrome polish to chrome plated steelpans especially when they have been exposed to moisture or shows signs of rust. Keep your steelpan bright and shiny.
• Always store and transport your steelpan in a well-protected case.
• Remember to chrome, powder coat or paint your steelpan if it becomes discoloured or start to flake.
• Always take your steelpan to a professional tuner regularly for blending and tuning.
• Rest the pan on its rim with the belly up if it is not in a case or hung on a stand.
Never ever rest your front-line pans (tenor pans, double tenor pans and double second pans) on their belly. Ideally, they should go straight into your steel drum case, but if you must, rest them gently, face down. Resting any steel drum on its skirt (side) may allow it to roll away and fall, so that is bad practice.
Always double check that your steel drum hangers show no signs of damage before you perform. This will avoid your steel drum falling during your performance if the steel drum hangers should break. It is also wise to carry spare hangers as part of your accessories, so that damaged ones can be replaced before the performance.
Another thing is to always ensure that your steel pans are set up on a level horizontal surface to avoid them falling due to wind or somebody inadvertently brushing past them.
Many non-pannists (especially children) are fascinated by this relatively novel instrument and often attempt play them out of curiosity, especially if you are on a break during the performance. Since they know nothing about taking care of steel drums, they often bang on your instrument in their excitement (and ignorance) and can cause them to go out of tune. Some short kids will even pull down on your steel drums, which can cause your instrument to fall! Therefore, Never let anyone touch your instrument without your close supervision.
• Do not store your steelpan in a wet or damp place.
• Do not expose your instrument to extreme temperatures (hot or cold) for long periods as this can affect the tuning.
• Do not sit on your steelpan
• Do not press heavily on the notes of your steelpan whilst cleaning.
• Do not strike your steelpan to hard whilst playing.
• Do not place objects on your steelpan apart from pan sticks.
• Do not place your steelpan on its belly or underside.
• Do not use incorrect sticks/mallets for playing.
• Do not use abrasive or corrosive cleaning products on your steelpan surfaces.
• Do not drop or knock your steelpan.
• Do not attempt to tune or repair the instrument yourself. Even though pans are made of metal, they can be damaged, sometimes permanently, if handled incorrectly.
THE TRUE BEAUTY OF MUSIC IS THAT IT CONNECTS PEOPLE.
BY DELPHINA ‘PANNESS’ JAMES
Highlight tune: $$$Get Pay£££
Musical Vibes has different versions of 3 songs with special guests Metronomes Steel Orchestra playing their arranged version of Ignorance. Uncle Crazy and the Mighty Jamma have been working together producing great “Pan Tunes” and believe the synergy will continue for years to come. The tunes on Musical Vibes have all been composed by Mighty Jamma with Uncle Crazy co-composing 2 of the 3. This album has nice vibes with some important lyrics highlighting Pan issues.
Highlight tune: Red Head
This is Rachel “Pan Priestess” Hayward’s 4th album that is named after Lord Kitchener’s calypso: Red Head. On this album Rachel plays all the instruments and has done all the arranging and any programming herself. There are a number of genres that feature on Red head including, Calypso and Pop. The album then settles on a classical set with Rachel showing her versatility and skills by playing unaccompanied.
Highlight tune: Ting and Ting
Steel Pan Fusion is an 8- piece band led by arranger, composer and band director, Wade Austin. Melting Pot is their debut album that consists of their own compositions that highlights the melting pot that is London Town. There is a range of genres with smooth and non-intimidating improvisations and is really easy listening. Pan is beautifully highlighted in the mix of contemporary instruments that has been professionally produced adding great quality with great musicians and music.
Highlight tune: Tanzmusik
All the arrangements on Pan Machine are renditions from Germany’s finest electro music band called Kraftwerk, arranged by Delphina ‘Panness’ James. Ian Shirley (the client) believes that ‘the timbres of steel pans are very clean and pure” and wanted to keep the 1980s electric genre and “in some ways (Pan) perfectly reflect the electronic sounds on those classic Kraftwerk records.” The players are Ebony’s stage side band
Just a few words of thanks for your sterling work in promoting our national instrument during this pandemic. The entertainment industry is suffering, but we all know steelpan has fought many battles and will continue to carry on the fight. Stay safe Brother.
Arima, Trinidad.
Its yuh buoy, Bro. Ras tings not looking good at all. This Corona ting like it want to destroy we way of life. Yuh dun know I love meh steelband music and no panorama or jouvert for we this year. Anyways meh bredder blessings for keeping we up tuh date with yuh tings on Maco Book. Bredder nuff respect to you fuh what you are doin fuh we culture. Blessings in the name of the Most High.
Diego Martin, Trinidad
Musicians around the world are adapting to shutdowns by swapping physical performance spaces for virtual ones. Social distancing comes at a great price for both artists and audiences. Musicians are finding creative ways to keep people connected during a pandemic that keeps us apart. A robotic arm playing a cello was one of many highlights at Olafur Eliasson’s Symbiotic Seeing exhibition in Zurich, Switzerland, before it closed prematurely due to COVID-19 restrictions. Thanks for your regular online postings. It has kept me informed and entertained.
Zurich, Switzerland.
Respect for your digital updates. With audiences isolating at home, venues shut, events cancelled – including Notting Hill Carnival, UK National Steelbands Panorama, Jouvert, and musicians pay non-existent, the arts industry, which operates almost exclusively from public spaces, is scrambling to reinvent itself online. Many musicians have responded to this challenge with the kind of ingenuity you’d expect from highly creative minds especially our steelbands. Congrats to all of them.
Croydon, UK.
Metronomes was delighted to announce that they received a grant from the Arts Council of England. Their Emergency Response Fund enabled them to run their Virtual Panyard, and to create new resources to develop a digital future for steelpan music.
Most of their Virtual Panyard programme takes place on their Instagram account. Log in and turn notification on for their live stories and posts. You can also catch things on their Facebook profile where you can exchange comments – tell them what you think of their Virtual Panyard.
Through the Virtual Panyard, we have given 38-weeks of steelpan live-streaming performances, as well as weekly readings, and regular live link-ups to Trinidad. There is nothing like Metronomes Virtual Panyard anywhere in the world. They have now gained funding from Westway Trust to continue the Virtual Panyard until March 2021.
Regular features: starting 31 January 2021
Thursday nights 7.30pm: The Metronomes Sessions
A variety of entertainment from people in the band. Including: DJ sets featuring, soca, calypso and steelpan music; African drumming; readings, and much more. Available on our Instagram account, also available on our Facebook profile.
Sunday afternoons 3.00pm: Steelpan Live Jamming “Steelpan Live Jamming is based on how they often practice in their Panyard in Meanwhile Gardens. It’s not about playing every note perfectly, it’s as much about trying out ideas, and finding new ways to express ourselves”, Cherelle stated.
Rebab & Steel: the Moroccan string instrument combined with the steelpan Livestreams will be available and archived on their Instagram account, also available on their Facebook profile. Rebab & Steel is funded by Westway Trust.
Their series of podcasts covering all aspects of the steelpan instrument, and steelpan culture will be online soon. Many Cools, Much Skills is funded by the Arts Council: A big thank you to National Lottery players for making it possible for the Arts Council to fund us.
The Metronomes Pancast, a podcast hosted by Eversley “Breeze” Mills
Eversley did a trial pancast with Colin Huntley from The One Band (he plays in Metronomes, and who has previously played in Phase II Pan Groove and Invaders in Trinidad). The Pancast will be launched as a regular feature in the near future.
Metronomes are happy to provide materials in a variety of formats to make our work accessible to the widest possible audience. Please contact us if you would like materials in Braille, audio, easy read, or large print. Contact 07774 216746 or info@ metronomes.org.uk for help. You can also talk to them on Instagram and Facebook. Share your news with them!
Meet the curators:
Their Virtual Panyard is curated by Cherelle Braithwaite and Naythan Francis, and managed by Eversley “Breeze” Mills. All their activities will be produced while strictly following the government’s measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we the musicians are the messengers!
BY LABOWI PRODUCTIONS
Trinidad-born steel pannist, Wade Austin, started playing with the Fonclaire Steel Orchestra based in San Fernando, South Trinidad; under the leadership of his uncle the late Milton ‘Wire’ Austin at the age of four. While growing up in Trinidad he was fortunate to play with other bands but at 19 years-old he was given his first chance to be a drill master for TCL Skiffle bunch and also toured with them. He moved to London in the early ‘90s to develop his passion for music, especially jazz.
In the ‘90s and 2000s, Wade worked with an array of important British artists in the likes of Jason Yarde, Kevin Haynes & Grupo Eleggua and Orphy Robinson. His interests were broad to say the least, and he was as happy playing with legendary Brazilian percussionists Nana Vasconceles as he was with Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango.
In 1999, Wade released his debut album Far from Home, which featured American drummer Keith Le Blanc among others, to critical acclaim. Wade is an
artist who has performed all over the world, from Europe to Australia, and is comfortable wearing many hats. For over two decades, he has been a composer, arranger and producer, as well as an in-demand educator who leads workshops for both children and adults at a number of esteemed schools and institutions in England. He strongly believes that culture enhances our quality of life.
In 2014, Wade founded Steel Pan In Motion, as an umbrella of all things pan to promote, develop and provide a strong platform for aspiring steel pan musicians.
Steel Pan Fusion, the live band Wade founded to create adventurous new music that celebrated the pan tradition all the while incorporating myriad influences, from jazz and soul to hip-hop and drum & bass, made its debut studio recording Melting Pot in 2016. The album which was also supported by a successful national tour, was an exciting portrait of modern Britain as a diverse, multicultural society.
In 2014, Wade founded Steel Pan In Motion, as an umbrella of all things pan to promote, develop and provide a strong platform for aspiring steel pan musicians.
Over the last 6 years it has continued to grow with many performances from weddings to festivals, workshops throughout the UK, after school clubs and their Steel Pan School.
Their school now has over 30 students and as well as developing their playing ability they are taught music theory.
In March 2020, when news of the national lockdown was announced they knew they needed to find new ways of continuing their classes. On that evening in March, they took steel pans to as many of their students as possible and arranged to have weekly
one-to-one online lessons. Although everyone enjoyed being able to continue playing, Wade also wanted to make sure their students stayed connected so began weekly online group sessions where they played through their repertoire together.
In July 2020, restrictions began to ease which meant they could physically meet to play and they arranged to have their weekly group lessons in the local park.
As many people were missing out on holidays they wanted to create safe opportunities, especially for their junior players, to be able to spend time together while following government guidelines so they organised their first Pan Camp and even took our pans to the beach to play.
Things began to get back to some ‘normality’ in September when they were able to return to their indoor group classes but that didn’t last long as in November they had to move everything back online.
Throughout the pandemic, there was not a week they did not play their steelpans, COVID didn’t stop them, it just made them innovate and adapt new ways of practicing together. Steelpan has been through many trials and tribulations and has overcome the many social and economic barriers and not this digital platform is yet another victory for the instrument and its culture.
Who Knew? The Steelpan - the Tenor - proves the mightiest of challenges in Amazing Race 32’s first leg. It ain’t that easy - playing a Pan, that is by When Steel Talks
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - So who knew that the Tenor voice of the steelpan family of instruments, would prove to apparently be the most difficult challenge for some team members on the CBS Amazing Race’s latest season premiere, which started off in Trinidad and mainly, Tobago? Indeed, the eleven pairs of competitors who participated in the first leg of Season 32, had no idea what lay in store for them on an instrument which many music lovers around the world have deemed among the easiest to get the hang of. Arranger, composer, performer and outstanding panist Garvin Blake has often reminded us in our many pan conversations, that the steelpan is one of the easiest instruments to ‘get sound out of.’ All you have to do is strike the note. But playing the instrument in ‘time’ and making it sound good is not that easy - particularly as a solo endeavor.
But the only thing that might be termed ‘easy’ on this group, regarding getting past what Amazing Race organizers dubbed the ‘Road Block’ - was the beautiful beach in Tobago that was the site for this activity. Teams had to learn to play a part of a song. As host Phil Keoghan put it: “If they can hit the right notes and stay ‘in time,’ they’ll end this ‘Road Block’ on a high note, with a clue.”
That, so the teams could move on to the final first-leg test, the famously fun Tobago Goat Race. Redemption Sound Setters Steel Orchestra’s players were on hand both as instructors, member of each pair took repeated turns with the aim of satisfactorily rendering six specified lines of “Day-O.” The song was first recorded by Trinidadian singer Edric Connor and his band ‘Edric Connor and the Caribbeans’ on the 1952 album ‘Songs From Jamaica.’ The song was later popularized by Harry Belafonte. To help team members achieve their goal, basic guide sheets with numbers indicating notes to be played, were perched atop music stands uniquely crafted, island-style, in, what else
– bamboo. Each ‘contestant’ had a band member giving him/her a hands-on tutorial, with the aim of helping them achieve their musical quest.
With a reported average viewership of ten million per episode, the teams gave the musical task their best shots – this after being in the waters of Tobago’s Nylon Pool for quite some time while finishing up a ‘fish hunt’ of sorts, which obviously wore some of them out. But in that Road Block challenge referenced in the Race clue envelopes as “‘Steel’ The Show” - (a teasing reference to the musical task that lay ahead) .for some, the Task of The Tenor was taking them out. Not once, twice, three times – but for team member 2012 Olympic hurdler and bronze medalist Kellie it took nine attempts, while after more than ten times around, former NFL Carolina Panther Gary Barnidge finally gave himself and partner and fellow NFLer DeAngelo Williams a reason to ‘whoop it up.’ Allin the efforts to get the acknowledgement of the Redemption Sound Setters designee that they had ‘made the cut’ musically. He in turn handed over their envelopes with instructions for the next clue/trial.
Getting those notes, and then that timing/rhythm was a very tall order that proved exasperating for the select few. Most of the contestants took a musical whupping trying to complete the task and had to repeat their ‘examination’ multiple times. s But taking it in stride and wrapping it up, Chee - who was teamed with his wife Hung for the series - did ‘Steel’ The Show first ahead of the other ten pairs. Show first ahead of the other ten pairs. “Want to thank my Mom and Dad for all those years of piano lessons! Thanks, Mom and Dad!” Chee exclaimed laughingly and triumphantly afterward, with the Amazing Race envelope containing the final clue to what would be the end of the first contest leg, in hand.
The real-time count of just how long it took the sometimes desperate and obviously frustrated would-be panists to get it done is not known. But in the end, it was clear that the competitors had no idea that this specific ‘test’ (that probably did not look so intimidating initially) would ultimately be costly, and be the deed that contributed to the elimination of the first team in this first leg of Season 32. Curious to know how some of them felt about ‘steelband’ after this experience, LOL. The first duo to be ‘sent home’ after the four challenges, were best friends Cody and Nathan; Cody had been the last to complete his task on tenor pan. And triumphantly on their way to Colombia from Tobago, in first place at this juncture, were Chee and Hung.
But it all began in the sister isle, Trinidad, where the first ‘task’ entailed rolling bass pans! apparently from the stash of champion band Exodus Steel Orchestra (Goodness – are those instruments from the ‘no longer used’ pile? Please say so!) along the sidewalks of the Eastern Main Road under the night sky, for a quarter of a mile, then down into the band’s panyard! band’s panyard! Not sure who came up with that idea or why Exodus would agree to it. It sure did rub many the wrong way. Who rolls their musical instrument on the ground?
It was not a good look for the instrument and fed into a lot of bad stereotypes that still prevail present-day re: steelpan - like the instrument is in reality only ‘an old drum,’ or other more offensive terms such as “trash cans. ””would agree to it. It sure did rub many the wrong way. Who rolls their musical instrument on the ground? It was not a good look for the instrument and fed into a lot of bad stereotypes that still prevail present-day re:
steelpan - like the instrument is in reality only ‘an old drum,’ or other more offensive terms such as “trash cans.”
Somehow, one cannot imagine rolling timpani or other such in this manner. Pan tuners and manufacturers, especially the ‘elders’ who have passed – Herman Guppy Brown, Allan Gervais, James “Bassman” Jackman, Wallace Austin, Bertie Marshall, the legendary Rudolph Charles and others –will surely be haunting more than just a few people because of this. Throngs of people were reveling in Exodus’ panyard, making for the Carnival/party atmosphere, where hundreds of masqueraders and characters in full costumes, danced and pranced to the sounds of Exodus, with more than seventy musicians jammin’ soca, Machel Montano’s ‘Like Ah Boss’. In the midst of the deliberate mas madness, the Midnight Robber was there for acts of ‘benevolence.’ He/she was charged with dispensing those coveted, large black and yellow envelopes with clues that urged the contestants on to their next ‘appointments’ – which were two flights to Tobago the following morning. This season completed filming in 2018, and premiered October 14, 2020. Given the more hair-raising situations that were to follow in other destinations/countries, looking back – this first leg may have probably been the easiest.
A great time was had by many; Trinidad, and for the majority of the show, Tobago, were showcased on the global stage, with Exodus and Redemption Sound Setters steel orchestras serving up the steelband sounds. Sisters, sports brothers, life partners, parent & child, best friends - all formed the initial determined assortment of eleven teams, each keen to triumph at the end of what is sure to indeed be an “Amazing” season.
SONICS TOKYO is a non-professional steel orchestra established in 1999 in Japan, by Trinidadian arranger/player/teacher and producer of steelpans – Michael ‘Manish’ Robinson, and citizens who loved his Trinidadian style music.
Three ladies met with Manish who lived in Miyazaki – 1,000 km southwest from where they lived in Tokyo – to learn to play steelpans. They visited him two or three times, but as the airfares was really costly, Manish offered to conduct a workshop in Tokyo. Several visitors to the workshop wanted to continue their lessons and this initiated the birth of the steel orchestra
Manish proposed that the steel orchestra be named, SONICS-TOKYO which combined his father’s single pan band’s name, Super Sonics, that won the Ensemble Category of the Pan is Beautiful IX in October 1998 with Tokyo.
In 2000, SONICS started to play at events with around 10 players, which soon increased to 20, and now stands at more than 30 within a decade, this is because members of the audiences at their events have been fascinated and want to play the captivating music. They have mesmerized their audiences when they played at the Tokyo Disney Land, he world biggest Japanese drums festival nearest to Narita Airport, parties/weddings hosted by Westin or other hotels, and seasonal festivals the organizers have iinvited who were audiences before.
SONICS-TOKYO once played on Tensai TV-kun (broadcasted by NHK, Nihon Hosou Kyokai. Japan’s most popular long run variety show for kids). At that time, Manish taught them for one year.
Manish moved to Yokohama – just 25 km from Tokyo – around then, SONICS-TOKYO hosted concerts. One of their most unforgettable memories was in 2012, when Manish invited Ken ‘Professor’ Philmore to Japan, as a special guest for the Manish & Sonics concert.They did not only play steelpan together but also spent precious time, singing at a Karaoke shop and really enjoying a member’s home party for ‘Professor’s’ birthday. They missed ‘Professor’ so much and will never forget his humility, sense of humor and the genuine loving person he was.
2020 was the year for Sonics-Tokyo’s 20th anniversary and the Covid 19 Pandemic, took its toll, all their regular events were cancelled. A number of their members had participated consecutively in the Trinidad and Tobago Panorama competition for many years, but could not in 2021 as it was cancelled. This was very sad for steelpan lovers globally but SonicsTokyo Steel Orchestra continues rehearsing for the next chance.
SONICS-TOKYO once played on Tensai TV-kun (broadcasted by NHK, Nihon Hosou Kyokai. Japan’s most popular long run variety show for kids). At that time, Manish taught them for one year.
By Ray Funk
Jonathan Scales is a musician who is naturally upbeat and driven, who has lived and thrived on live music - but also someone has not let the pandemic slow him down - just caused him to refocus and adapt to new modes. He has been on the road continually for over a decade, performing as Jonathan Scales Fourestra, a trio of himself, bass and drums.
In 2019, he released an EP Mindstate Music with a number of other steelpan players from all over the United States. This suite of music was commission by Michael Mizma who runs the steelband program at San Jacinto College in Texas and it was premiered on May 1, 2019 with his Fourestra. Michael Mizma has been one of the most innovative steelband director in America seeking grants for new music for steelband by itself so far with both wind orchestra and choral groups and in this case featuring the Fourestra with a steelband. Initially, Scales perceived this as a unique commission and only later did he conceive as a piece he could perform with other
school steelband groups and then decided to issue the album.
Scales conceived of Mindstate Music differently than his other albums, as a wordless introspective expression of aspects of his own psychology.
For the recording, he reached to supporters and friends, many he had known for years, everybody recording remotely from all over the US and then Scales worked to blend the sound. Although this was with done before the pandemic, it was in a format that is becoming more Respected in many circles, especially jazz, fusion and jam bands and has likely appeared in more nightclubs in the past decade than probably any other pannist in America if not the world. Scales has gotten
coverage in jazz magazines like Jazz Times and Downbeat, in Modern Drummer and in February 2020 he appeared in the prestigious NPR Tiny Desk concerts in an 18 minute live video that has been seen over 160,00 times, and likely would have much higher if he had been able to keep touring in 2020! He also did aconcert for Paste magazine and is on Spotify and other digital media where the last several albums and his latest EP can be heard.
While the pandemic has stopped his touring, having all the publicity from the Tiny Desk concert right before lockdown has still led to sales of his recordings, sheet music, t-shirts (with his philosophy of “Working is the New Chilling”) and with calls for lessons and commissions and time to compose. He has joined Patreon and released a month long video diary in August.
Scales never played pan until he went to college at Appalachian State in North Carolina which has had a leading pan program for many years. “ My friends convinced me to join the steelband right when I got to college. Ihad never played before and honestly wasn’t really that interested. My mission was just to study composition and I didn’t really want to be involvedin a lot of other things. I had a friend who was auditioning for the steel band. I thought to myself...if she can do it, I definitely can do it! I auditioned and got it and that’s how I ended up on double seconds!”
From his early focus on composition, he turned to arranging and composing for steelband and when he graduated in 2006, he began to tour nightclubs with first a quartet but now a trio. He issued his first album the following year and hasn’t stopped with performing as much as he can and creating a style that takes from jazz, rock and fusion and released seven albums. He has also made a major change moving from North Carolina to Brooklyn in the Fall of 2019. As he told Downbeat, “ I’ve been to Trinidad three times, and I’m definitely not turning my back on tradition. But I’m going to play the music I want to play. I grew up listening to Dr. Dre and Eminem, then studying classical saxophone and orchestral and film score music. I want to get it all in there.” Indeed, he hopes someday to be commissioned to compose for film. But he takes pleasure in composing and performing.
Liam Teague noted that he has become “a wonderful ambassador for the steelpan” taking it places it has not been. While the pandemic has stopped his touring, having all the publicity from the Tiny Desk concert right before lockdown led to sales of his recordings, sheet music and songbooks, and t-shirts (with his philosophy of “Working is the New Chilling”) and teaching more lessons and getting new commissions –even working outside pan right now – taking on a ones for a vibraphone solo and a timpani solo.
He has joined Patreon - a membership platform to support artists - which led to him releasing a month long video diary back in August. Home for months, he looks forward to being on the road touring the world but he believes that artists in these times must be multi-faceted and has kept busy working on new music and new avenues for his artistry to advance.