Issue 14 - Panpodium

chair’s FOREWORD● ● ●
Happy NEW YEAR!
supported by Executive Officers of BAS,
the FDF held their first event in May 2006
in Birmingham.
In July 2006, the Association
established the first structured exchange
between the Notting Hill Carnival and
the Rotterdam Zomer Carnival. This
partnership will see winning orchestras
from the UK’s National Panorama
Competition and Holland’s Battle of
the Drums participate at each other’s
events. In August 2006, winners of the
2006 Battle of the Drums, Eternity Brass,
visited London and performed at the
Panorama to an appreciative audience.
In July 2007, Ebony will perform at the
Zomer Carnival as winners of this year’s
Panorama.
A
s Chair of the British
Association of Steelbands
(BAS) I am pleased to be able
to contribute to Pan Podium - to highlight
some of the Association’s achievements
over the past twelve months and plans for
the coming year.
During 2006 BAS continued to
identify and develop key strategies to
further promote steel band music and
culture not only throughout the UK but
also, in partnership with key strategic
partners, worldwide ensuring this great
art is integrated into all sections of our
communities.
In January 2006 the Association
set up the Future Development Forum
(FDF) to enable and empower young
pannists to develop the skills they will
need to lead future generations of pan
players. Their mission is to strengthen
the UK pan community by highlighting
and developing the innovative skills and
talents of young people to enable them
to lead future generations of pan players.
Chaired by Miss Delphina James, and
August 2006 saw the UK’s first
international steel pan conference,
coordinated by Lionel McCalman,
Haroun Shah and the University of East
London on behalf of BAS. Attended by
delegates from as far away as Japan,
this conference is a welcomed and much
needed addition to the development
of international networks and the
standardisation of pan worldwide.
This year Arthur France MBE was
inaugurated into the Association’s Hall
of Fame when he collected the Lifetime
Achievement Award at the Association 8th
Annual Awards event held in December
2006. Arthur established ‘The Gay
Carvaliers Steel Band” in the 1960’s, the
Leeds West Indian Carnival in 1967 and, in
a renewed effort to continue to encourage
young people to learn to play pan, formed
the New World Steel Orchestra in 1984.
Now in retirement, Arthur continues to
press for the establishment of a fully
funded centre for a Leeds Steel Youth
Orchestra in Chapeltown, Leeds. Also
honoured at this year’s event were Billy
Ocean, Rudolph Walker OBE, Andrew
Ramroop, Floella Benjamin and, of
course, the year’s competition winners,
notably London All Stars who this year
won J’Ouvert’s ‘Bomb Competition’ for
the third consecutive year.
Throughout the year BAS has
provided services and support to its
members including setting up web pages
and email addresses for all member
bands via the Association’s website
www.panpodium.com - to enable more
efficient and effective communication,
and easier access to resources and
information.
2007 presents numerous
opportunities for the Association to
continue to build on and push forward the
carnival arts agenda and, particularly,
to promote steel bands and carnival arts
nationally and internationally.
• We will work with our regional
partners to promote and support the
40th anniversary of Leeds West Indian
Carnival.
• We are already working with our
European partners – Steelpan European
- to plan and stage performances in Paris
and London to commemorate the 160th
and 200th anniversaries respectively of
the abolition of slavery.
• Toussaint Clarke, on behalf of BAS is
liaising with bands and members across
the UK to identify regional needs so that
committees may be empowered to take
forward local plans and visions.
BAS is proud to be at the cutting
edge of Carnival arts development
worldwide.
Pepe Francis
03
> ISSUE 14 WINTER/SPRING 2007
CONTENTS● ● ●
7
8
London Jouvert
29 Yolande Richardson
infectious steel band music
that broke the pre-dawn
tranquillity.
A fresh new face on the New
York pan scene.
30 St Michaels & All
Angels Steel Band
BAS Pan Explosion
2K6
helping young people raise
their self esteem and develop
leadership and teamwork
skills.
encouraging young pannists
to compose, arrange and play
musical pieces on the steel
pan.
31 BAS Future
Development Forum
10 North Tyneside
Busking Tour
developing skills to lead the
future generations of steel
bands and pannists.
their longest busking tour of
the UK yet!
12 The Rise of
East Steel
Pupils came and Pupils went
but those that stayed ensured
the rise of East Steel
14
14 Panorama 2K6
‘Champions of
Steel’
22 T&T Trafalgar
Square Event
giving London the opportunity
to experience Trinidad and
Tobago’s multiculturalism in
performance.
Ebony captured their 15th
Panorama title.
16 Contrast Steel Band
they grew from strength to
strength under Cy Jacques and
now Pat Munroe is at the helm.
18 The Rise and Death
of the Royal Park
Steel Pandas
24 Sonic Steel
22
the Canadian steel band from
Ontario encouraging creative
musical talent among the
youth.
33 CD Reviews
34 Schools Proms 2K6
the young musicians who are
top of their class performed at
the Royal Albert Hall.
36 SV2G Wycombe
Steel Orchestra
Young people learning a wide
repertoire on the steel pan
to showcase their talent at
community events.
commissioned by BAS and
entitled ‘Steelband Music
and Education in the 21st
Century; Projecting a Vision
of the Future through Global
Experiences’
40 Andy Neils
The art of Pan tuning is alive
with Andy ‘Mad Max’ Neils.
42 Pantonic All Stars
Steel Orchestra
they have performed at the
Schools Proms in the Royal
Albert Hall four times between
1989 to 1995.
44 London
Lord Mayor Show
46 CSI at the EMMAS
CSI is the first steel band to
perform at the EMMAS Festival
in Olbia, Sardinia, Italy.
47 Harlow Steel Band
established as a community
organisation in 2003 with the
help of Ebony Steel Band.
48 Pan in Education
PIE is the first in a series of
unique, innovative and effective
cultural products.
PIE is the work of Mark
Loquan, established composer.
50 T&T Steel Pan
and Jazz Festival
Queen’s Royal College
Foundation steel pan and jazz
event held in October 2006.
Croydon Steel Orchestra
participated at the 2006 Lord
Mayor’s Show in London to
support the Prostate Cancer
Charity.
45 Sterling Betancourt
& TASPO honoured
Pan Trinbago and the T&T
Ministry of Community,
Development, Culture and
Gender Affairs honoured
TASPO & other pan pioneers.
this production that includes
steel band has performed at
most major venues in the UK.
26 BAS 8th Annual
Awards
20 Billy Ocean
04
Danish Steel Ensemble playing
music to help assist the
Danish Pan scene to evolve.
25 Caribbean Carnival
Extravaganza
they played at the first of the
Kirkstall Festival concerts and
were always invited back.
the biggest selling British
black artiste of all times.
Selling over 30 million singles
and albums worldwide over a
25 year career.
20
32 Phoenix Firebirds
38 The First European
International Steel
Pan Conference
10
the event has grown in stature
and has now established
itself in the UK community’s
calendar.
28 Readers Letters
26
45
34
05
●●●
editor’s WELCOME
welcome...
2006 marked the seventh anniversary of Pan
Podium. Since its inception, the magazine and
its website ardously promoted this wonderful
instrument, its musicians, events and its
continued progress in establishing itself in
global music. In 2006, Russell Henderson
MBE was yet another pan musician to
be awarded this prestigious title and
Ebony Steel Orchestra won their fifteenth
panorama title ensuring that their world
title is secure. Ebony, Phase 11 Pan Groove,
The Defence Force, Pan Kultur and Nostalgia
steel bands all performed at the FIFA World
Cup finals in Germany capturing their global
audience with the versatility of the steel pan and
the dexterity of its players.
BAS Future Development Forum has organised two
successful events, Pan Explosion and Carols on
Steel with many more events planned for 2007. The
Caribbean Steel International band appeared on
the EMMAS stage in Olbia, Sardinia. The first time a
steel band has played at this event in its 17years of
existence, yet another ground-breaking feat for the
instrument.
BAS’s initiative in setting up UK regional
committees will ensure that all local voices are
heard and issues addressed. Our annual Awards
event is an important event in the UK community’s
calendar and continues to set standards in its
related Arts disciplines. Pan Podium magazine and
website have also undergone development work
in 2006 ensuring that BAS’s media machinery is
both effective, efficient and continues to be a world
leader with further enhancements planned in
2007. Pan Podium continues to work closely with
our global media partners to ensure that we are
aspiring and achieving in unity. Pan4Life.
Robbie J
Editor: Robbie Joseph
Writers/Contributors: Vanessa Clarke, Delphina James, Haroun Shah, Victoria Jaquiss, Pat Munroe, Pepe Francis, Suresh
Rambaran, Ron Shah, Sune Borregard, When Steel Talks, Dave Edwards, Sonny Blacks, Jacqueline Roberts, Hazel Shaw,
Patrick McKay, Lionel McCalman, Gregory Rabess, Mark Dennelly, Adrian Botham, Kelly Lean, Paparazzi, Sanch UK Ltd
Photography: Response Photography, Andy Howes - Front Cover by Andy Howes
Layout & Design Print: Donald Seepaul (Indus Digital Services)
Published by: BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF STEELBANDS
The Tabernacle, Powis Square, London W112AV Tel: 020 7565 7813 - Fax: 020 7565 7810
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Website: www.panpodium.com
The views published in Pan Podium are not necessarily the views of the editor or the publisher. All material contained in this
publication are the copyright of Pan Podium. No material written or photographic should be reproduced in any way without the
written permission of the publisher. No liability will be accepted for any errors which may occur within the magazine.
London
JOUVERT
In the early hours of Sunday the 27th August 2006, the Jouvert
celebrations inched its way down Ladbroke Grove led by the
London All Stars Steel Orchestra. The affair is a BAS all steel
band event and without doubt, the crowds were drawn to the
sweet strains of infectious steelband music that broke the
pre-dawn tranquillity. Everyone joined in the celebrations,
adorn themselves in mud, powder, and brightly coloured paint
depicting the celebration of emancipation.
F
or more than a century Jouvert
pronounced ‘Jouvay’ meaning ‘daybreak’ processions have marked the
opening of Trinidad Carnival. Jouvert
evolved from 19th century Canboulay
festivals, these nighttime celebrations
saw ex-slaves gather to masquerade,
sing and dance in commemoration of
their emancipation. When this tradition
was incorporated into Trinidad’s Carnival,
it became an arena for African derived
percussion, sardonic costuming, and,
more recently lively steelband music with
revellers jumping and dancing fuelled by
the copious amounts of alcohol consumed
and the exhilaration of the occasion.
event FEATURE● ● ●
2004 saw the revival
of the London Jouvert
celebrations when
Stardust, London All
Stars and Ebony steel
bands took to the road
at 6a.m. filling the air
with the sweet and
captivating sounds of
steel.
The London BAS Jouvert 2K6 celebration
left the Sainsbury’s car park, Ladbroke
Grove at 6:00 a.m. promptly and made
it way around the specified route before
returning to the starting point.
London All Stars were victorious in the
‘Bomb’ competition (tune of choice) in
2004, 2005 and 2006 leaving revellers
begging for more when the bacchanal
ended at 10:00 a.m. This British
Association of Steelbands event is well
received by the public and growing in
popularity. Everyone is looking forward to
an even more successful Jouvert in 2007
with BAS working laboriously to ensure its
growth is sustained through the inclusion
of more bands and masqueraders. The
2007 Jouvert will see many more steel
bands take to the road to compete at the
BAS ‘Bomb’ competition and treat their
revellers to infectious steel band music.
NEED
A STEELBAND?
All events catered for Steelbands to suit any occassion
E: [email protected]
06
07
event PROFILE● ● ●
event PROFILE
PAN
EXPLOSION
2K6
...Pantasia retains their Champion Band Title!
●●●
08
The British Association of Steelbands (BAS) is proud to have initiated and developed this
competition. Its concept is to encourage younger pannists to get involved in composing,
arranging and playing musical pieces on the steelpan. 2006 saw the formation of the BAS Future
Development Forum, another BAS initiative aimed at honing and developing the skills needed to
prepare their younger members to undertake the responsibilities of running the Association’s
business.
The BASFDF were tasked with the
responsibility of arranging the eight BAS
Pan Explosion competition held in the
Drum Centre in Aston, Birmingham on the
28th May 2006. Last year the competition
was held in Portsmouth on the south
coast of England and this year it was in
the Midlands, yet another BAS initiative of
taking this competition and the steelpan
instrument to the four corners of Great
Britain.
Chairman, Pepe Francis, with DJ Makili
Fredricks pumping out sweet pan and soca
music all night. Judges were Princess
Rollock, Jason Constantine and Stephan
Phillip. Anise ‘Halfers’ Hadeed, the guest
artiste, opened the evening with some of
his magical music setting the stage for the
wealth of steelpan music that followed.
BASFDF included a duet/trio section to the
existing soloist and ensembles competition
in 2006.
North Tyneside Steelband led by Dave
Edwards was the guest band and they
entertained the audience in the foyer before
and during the intermission with their
vibrant playing. MC on the evening was BAS
Justin ‘Redz’ Richardson on tenor opened
the soloist’s competition with his own
composition, ‘Pan Soldier’, dedicated
to all pan greats no longer with us - a
nice introduction with a lovely structure
Soloists Results:
complimented by a good playing technique
earned him second place with 243 points.
Dan Sadler of Sounds of Steel followed
with his composition, ‘From My Window’
on double seconds using four sticks. A
professional ‘soft touch’ execution with
lovely melodies saw him capture third
place with 240 points. Carlene ‘Sweet
Wrist’ Etienne of Ebony, a qualified music
composer who has been playing pan for
thirteen years, played her composition
‘Changes’ on double tenor using four sticks.
A controlled well phrased delivery; full of
tempo saw her attain the Pan Explosion
Champion Soloist title for 2006.
Croydon Steel Orchestra’s Trio – Belinda Stevens on tenor, Anne
Davis on double seconds and Robert Erskine on triple guitar
played ‘Flower Duet’ by L Deli. A good balanced arrangement with
nice harmonies achieved them second place with 228 points. The
Ebony Duet was the Dubois twins – Samuel and Tafrina. Samuel
is a qualified music teacher whilst Tafrina’s love for music
extend well beyond pan and is also known as House DJ ’Soul
Intense’. Their own composition, ‘Duality’ filled with lovely melodic
interchanges and good harmonics complimented by Tafrina’s
drumming was well received. They were crowned the Champion
Duet with 264 points.
Levi Connell. Ebony was awarded third position with 510 points.
Their own composition, ‘Any Ting’ was written and arranged by
Kaleigh Lewis and Joshua Prescod. Their tune of choice, Michael
Jackson’s, ‘Rock with You’ was also arranged by Kaleigh and
Joshua with solos from all pannists. Sounds of Steel captured
fourth place with 483 points. Their own composition, ‘Stand
Up’ was composed and arranged by Lindsay Jobling who also
performed a solo with Jack Davies being the other soloist. Their
tune of choice was Lord Kitchener’s ‘Bees Melody’ arranged by
Dan Sadler with all pannists having solo lines. In fifth place was
Croydon Steel Orchestra with 414 points. Everyone in the band
arranged their own composition, ‘A Bit of This, A Bit of That’
with the solo performed by Helen Gilkes. Their tune of choice
was Guns and Roses’ ‘Sweet Child O Mine’ arranged by Belinda
Stevens with solos by Kerrie Hughes, Judith Daniels and Annie
Davis.
Duets/Trios Results:
Ensembles Results:
The ensemble competition followed with Pantasia retaining
the Pan Explosion Champions title. David Ijaduloa and Edward
James arranged their own composition ’Bring Home Da Funk’
as well as their rendition of Lord Kitchener’s ‘Pan in A Minor’.
In second place was Mangrove. They amassed 511 points with
their own composition ‘El Quadico’ written by Ryan Eastmond
Cummings and arranged by him and Vanya Reid. Their tune
of choice, Bunji Garlin’s ‘Fireman’ was arranged by Ryan and
BASFDF now looks forward to hosting and supporting yet another
highly charged and competitive explosion of pan revealing the
innovative skills and talents of the many young pan musicians
aspiring to explore the vast avenues of musicianship available to
them.
1st Carlene ‘Sweet Wrist’ Etienne – 247 points
2nd Justin ‘Redz’ Richardson – 243 points
3rd Dan Sadler – 240 points
1st Ebony Steel Orchestra – 264 points
2nd Croydon Steel Orchestra – 228 points.
1st Pantasia Steel Orchestra – 534 points
2nd Mangrove Steelband – 511 points
3rd Ebony Steelband – 510 points
4th Sounds of Steel – 483 points
5th Croydon Steel Orchestra – 414 points
09
STEELBAND...
special FEATURE
NORTH
Tyneside
●●●
Their longest
BUSKING TOUR
of the UK yet!
Eleven young members of
North Tyneside Steelband
planned and completed a nineday busking tour from Lands
End in the South of the UK to
Glasgow in the North to raise
money for a new minibus.
10
special FEATURE● ● ●
The venture was the players’ idea, as they wanted to do something
practical to raise funds. Sixteen year old, Ewan Mood, from
Whitley Bay said, “We really enjoyed this, we became quite a
slick, efficient unit during the nine days, and planned it so that
we were in Newcastle, close to home, on the day our GCSE
results came – it was great!”
The tour saw them play for
four hours a day in Penzance,
Bristol, Birmingham,
Sheffield, Leeds, York,
Newcastle, Largs and
Glasgow; a demanding
schedule for any musician.
Each city centre venue was arranged through local
councils who were very cooperative; the band has
already received enquiries to return from three of these
councils. North Tyneside Council generously donated
the use of a minibus for this trip. “The trip was hard
work for all of us, but it has really raised the profile of
the band and North Tyneside around the country as
there has been so much positive feedback” said Dave
Edwards, musical director, “Busking may seem
an odd thing to do for young people, but it is just a
development from the troubadours of the middle
ages and is a great way of perfecting musical
skills in a real environment whilst bringing some
live music into lots of peoples’ lives.”
With their own sponsorship and money
collected on route, they have so far raised
over £8,000 with some still to come in.
Donations are still being accepted at
www.justgiving.com or on the bands own
website www.northtynesidesteelband.
org.uk. This is enough to buy a good used
minibus to replace the present one, which
is on its last legs and used for outreach
activities across the region as well as
travelling to around sixty performances a
year.
There was no time to rest when they got
back home as the band has quite a heavy
schedule of rehearsals and gigs. Anyone
who would like to learn to play the steel pan
as part of the band (there are no age limits)
can contact Dave Edwards on 0775 360 4281
or [email protected]. Practice
sessions are on Tuesday evenings at The
Langdale Centre, Howdon.
11
●●●
band PROFILE● ● ●
band
event PROFILE
I
n 2000, I started the music
centre steel pan class in
the old Foxwood school
building. I chose this venue and
East Leeds to start music centre
tuition because, when Foxwood
School closed in 1996, there were
many children on the Seacroft
estate who lost their turn to be
in the school steel band and the
building had lots of room to store
pans.
About fifteen years ago, music centres were born in the UK. Run by
the music services, they provide affordable musical tuition to people
of all ages and abilities operating in schools, mostly on evenings and
Saturdays. They are a godsend to those who slipped through the net
when they were younger, those who want to learn an instrument that
their school can’t offer, and those who would like to learn as a family.
The rise of
EAST STEEL
12
02
I didn’t quite know what to expect
from the class, but four years later,
Sue, Tamanna and Bassem were on
stage at the West Yorkshire Playhouse to
packed houses for a five week stint. Six
years on, we are averaging 25 gigs a year.
I was introduced to the steel pan in 1983,
started gigging with Foxwood pupils in
1984 and entered my first GCSE students
in 1987. In 2000, I was back with the
Twelve Bar Blues in C, in the dirty little
space at the back of the hall. Once, there
were local children spitting over the
balcony on the players, at which point I
despaired. I didn’t know why my pupils
even came back.
It was too depressing in the end, three
years later; being in this cubby hole they
called backstage with all its memories
of past concerts and successes. We
decamped to the main host, Parklands
School, where all the other instruments
were taught thus severing my last links
with my beloved Foxwood.
Pupils came and went but Sue, Tamanna,
Karen, Alli, Emma and Stephen stayed.
We played YAMSEN Specially Music Town
Hall Christmas Concert, called ourselves
East Steel with some Foxwood Steel
Bandits players joining in to help out.
The next stage was to practice the same
songs at the same time, and in the same
place. A decision was made to allow all
paid up members to rehearse at any
centre making the smaller units feel less
isolated.
The next music centre, West Leeds Music
Centre, was set up at a high school on
the other side of town. It was back to the
Twelve Bar Blues in C, and pans stacked
in a dirty cupboard two doors down the
corridor. We had to push the tables and
chairs back, carry in and set up all the
pans, and, an hour and a half later, put
them all back.
By 2006, fifteen players had
bought their own pans (all
but the first made by Grafton
Yearwood). This meant that
they were able to practice
everyday enhancing their
standard of performance.
They also looked better
after purchasing their own
t-shirt with the band’s logo
designed by Anna-Marie.
Pupils came, pupils went,
but Joan, Jennifer, Joe,
Sarah and Cathy stayed.
Each centre had a small
band, but together they were
a twelve-piece band and
played the YAMSEN Specially
Music Town Hall Christmas
Concert.
We were getting a name for ourselves.
I had beginners but now I also had a
band. Demand increased. We set up the
West Leeds Music satellite at the City of
Leeds School. Here pans were set up all
the time as I taught other classes from
this venue. And now pupils came, and
generally stayed. Ruth, Penny, Joyce,
Isobel, Bryony, Ruby, Jasmine, Judy Anne,
Lynne and Lizzie stayed and practised the
same songs at all three centres and got
together to play at gigs.
The pressures of work (three music
centres, teaching and writing music) took
its toll on me but fortunately three of
my Foxwood semi-professional players
evolved into pan teachers. Xanthe, Bex,
Natalie and I share classes with Joan in
charge of the band’s increasing amount of
administration.
Every Christmas sees us at Leeds Town
Hall, summer is Pudsey Civic Hall, Leeds
Flower Show, Otley Carnival, etc and since
2005, East Steel has joined Leeds Silver
Steel Sparrows and the Foxwood Steel
Bandits to play at Leeds Carnival.
Written By: Victoria
Jaquiss
13
●●●
event PROFILE● ● ●
event PROFILE
Ebony Captures their
15TH PANORAMA TITLE
competition was made possible through an exchange program brokered by the British
Association of Steelbands and the organisers of Rotterdam Carnival, Ducos, in Holland.
In return, Ebony Steel Orchestra will appear as a guest band at the 2007 Rotterdam
Carnival.
14
Over the past four years the UK pan community has seen an influx of young ‘local’
pan arrangers enter this competition. Kyron Akal, the winning arranger of the 2004
competition. Real Steel’s, Leroy Clarke, who has attained third and fourth positions in
the past four years. The talented Brent Holder who took Stardust to second place last
year. Paul Dowie of Croydon Steel Orchestra who joined this competition in 2003 and
has instilled a great sense of competitiveness in his band of young pan musicians and a
new entrant this year in the likes of Chris Storey who steered Pantasia Steel Orchestra
to success in the BAS Pan Explosion competition in 2005/6.
Ebony played Destra’s, ‘Colours Again’. Yet another musical masterpiece by Anise
‘Haffers’ Hadeed, the World panorama champion arranger who has chalked up
another victory and led them to amass a grand total of 259 points to capture their 15th
‘Champions of Steel’ title. In second position with their musically arranged rendition of
‘This One’s for U Bradley’ by World champion soloist, Brent Holder, was Stardust Steel
Orchestra with 243 points. Brent and Stardust are a successful combination. In third
place with 238 points was Southside Harmonics with a Eustace Benjamin’s musical
arrangement of Skatie’s, ‘Musical Treat’ filled with enthusiasm and vigour. Eustace an
established UK arranger has consistently developed great musicianship in his youthful
pan musicians. Fourth place was awarded to Metronomes Steel Orchestra who played
‘This One is for U Bradley’, musically arranged by Ken ‘Professor’ Philmore. Their
energised and harmonious delivery was awarded 233 points.
Notting Hill Carnival’s theme for 2006
was ASPIRING AND ACHIEVING IN
UNITY. A quick look around the pan yards
made you realised that the teamwork
and diligence displayed by pannists were
the perfect examples to promote this
theme. Nine steel orchestras with over
600 pan musicians who practiced for
hundreds of hours played thousands of
pan instruments on the night
Ebony Steel Orchestra captured their 15th Panorama
‘Champions of Steel’ title when the UK Pan Community
celebrated the 28th anniversary of this renowned
competition. The evening was blessed with sporadic
torrential showers before the start of the competition but
this did not deter anyone from attending this highly fuelled
national steelband musical battle. Eternity Brass, the
champions of the Battle of Drums competition at the
2006 Rotterdam Carnival opened the show with some
energetic drumming accompanied by choreographed
dances. Their appearance at this year’s Panorama
Glissando Steel Orchestra captured fifth place with 229 points. World-renowned Rudy
‘Two Lef’ Smith’s melodic arrangement was certainly a treat to pan connoisseurs on the
night. Rudy’s ‘soft touch’ is just so inspiring. Sixth position was awarded to the Plymouth
based band Real Steel who attained 215 points. Their vibrant delivery of Leroy Clarke’s
arrangement of Eunice Peters’, ‘High on Pan’ saw players feeling the music and showing
it in their performance. Mangrove Steel Band captured seventh place with 202 points.
Kyron Akal’s arrangement of De Fosto’s ‘Soca Warrior’ was certainly a great effort from
a young and talented arranger. In eight position was Croydon Steel Orchestra playing a
Paul Dowie’s musically arranged rendition of Denyse Plummer’s ‘Good Times’ with 193
points. Paul continues to instilled a great sense of competitiveness in his band. Pantasia
Steel Orchestra attained 190 points with Chris Storey’s arrangement of Destra’s, ‘Max
It Up’. Their flag bearers treated the audience to some energetic flag waving as they
accompanied Pantasia’s delivery that was filled with tempo. Nine outstanding steel
orchestras fully entertained the audience on the evening with a wealth of steelband
music and equally great teamwork personifying the 2006 Notting Hill Carnival theme
– Aspiring and Achieving in Unity.
The British Association of Steelbands now look forward to their 29th Champions of
Steel competition in 2007 and are already in the process of sourcing a more suitable
venue which will attract an entry fee and where patrons will be more comfortable.
1. Ebony Steel Band – Colours Again – 259 points
2. Stardust Steel Orchestra – This One’s for U Bradley – 243 points
3. Southside Harmonics Steel Orchestra – Musical Treat – 238 points
4. Metronomes Steel Orchestra - This One’s for U Bradley – 233 points
5. Glissando Steel Orchestra – Colours Again – 229 points
6. Real Steel Orchestra – High on the Pan – 215 points
7. Mangrove Steel Band – Soca Warrior – 202 points
8. Croydon Steel Orchestra – Good Times – 193 points
9. Pantasia Steel Orchestra – Max It Up – 190 points
15
who’s WHO ● ● ●
STEELBAND
who’s WHO
Contrast
●●●
fter thirty-two years,
A
Contrast is very
active and is still based
in Highfields but now at
the African Caribbean
Centre. They are the only
professional full steel band
in Leicestershire and still
provide tuition throughout
schools but on a much
wider scale, visiting most
of the primary, junior,
secondary, high schools
and colleges throughout
the Leicestershire area
and sometimes further
afield. They remain a
voluntary community band
still touring, participating
in exchange programmes,
delivering workshops and
performing at various
venues including festivals,
carnivals, fetes, weddings
and parties.
The main band currently has twentyfive members whose ages range
between twelve and thirty plus. Cy
retired and emigrated to St Kitts and
Nevis in July 2002, where he continues
to teach the steel pan art form in
schools. Cy left the running of Contrast
in the more than capable hands of
his protégé, Pat Munroe, a pupil of
his from the age of nine. Pat has
worked closely with Cy, as a member
of the band and then as an assistant
instructor from school leaving age.
At present, she is the bandleader and
manages Contrast whilst
co-ordinating and instructing the pan
world throughout Leicestershire.
Players from Contrast
have taken part in National
Panorama competition
on numerous occasions
when they performed with
Phase 1 from Coventry and
Eclipse from London.
They also participated in the first
European Steel Pan Festival at La
Villette in Paris and profess to be
the first steel band to perform in the
Rotterdam Carnival’s Battle of The
Drums. Contrast is hoping to take on
more competitions and shows in their
own name in the future and is planning
a tour to Ireland for the St Patrick’s
Day celebrations in March 07.
For further information and bookings,
please contact Pat on 07814563958
or [email protected]
by Pat
Munroe
The Leicester Contrast Steel band was formed
in 1974 by the creative visitation of George
Fisher, the then Home School Liaison Officer,
in the Highfields area of Leicester..
The band originally developed as a community band, recruiting
children from a number of schools within the area. A few schools at
that time, mainly junior schools, possessed their own pans. Based at
the Highfields Community Centre, some 500 children from a variety of
backgrounds, and racial groupings, were instructed and guided under
the ever watchful and inventive, Cy Jacques, the tutor of the band fondly
referred to as ‘Mr Contrast’. The band grew from strength to strength
under the auspices of CY who worked closely with the late Michael
‘Natsy’ Contant, who was responsible for making the majority of their
pans. They have toured all over Europe with their wide repertoire and
even performed for the Queen on her visit to Leicester.
16
17
●●●
band PROFILE● ● ●
band PROFILE
In the next school year,
Royal Park found enough
money for daytime tuition.
Bill Winterbottom, the
teacher of Year 6 and I
decided on a set of rules
that was the key to the
following years of success.
We charged 20 pence for
every after-school session,
and only the children who
came after school could
have free lessons in school
time. But, in the autumn
term everybody in Year 6 had
lessons and the pans were
now permanently set up in
the AVA room.
The rise and death of the
Royal PARK
STEEL
pandas
We played at the first of the Kirkstall
Festival concerts and from that time
on, we got asked to play at the Festival
even before the new students had played
their first notes. Every year, we invited
a drummer from a different local high
school to support the band and got a
grant for our drum-kit and our first
soprano steel pan. Having earned enough
money and goodwill from our gigs, we got
t-shirts printed and the pans painted.
But, for me, the musical success of this
band was as nothing compared to the
trust that Bill and I gained with the Asian
parents. In our first year, the band was
made up of white and black children with
just one Asian pupil. After four months
he was not allowed to play pans anymore,
although he was allowed to stay after
school for sports.
By the sixth and last year of this band, the
school itself had more Asian pupils, but
significantly for me they were all in the
band. And when we played our gigs, their
parents videotaped the concerts.
In 2002, the TES featured my system of
notation, the Foxwood song sheets, in
its magazine and sent a photographer
to Royal Park School. Not one parent
refused permission for their child to be
in the newspaper, which went all around
the world. And so it happened that
Murtazar’s picture was featured.
Sadly, at the beginning of this century,
Leeds acquired a private education
company, whose declared mission was
to close down as many Leeds schools
as possible in order to reduce “surplus
places”. Royal Park was one of those
schools. In 2004, the Royal Park Steel
Pandas played their last Kirkstall Festival
gig.
Well, let me tell you, it was an emotional
day. We took lots of photos, and later on
I introduced the students to the head
teacher of the nearby local school who
was taking on many of the ex-Royal Park
pupils. These pupils had been waiting
for their chance to join the Pandas but
because their school had closed it didn’t
happen. The head teacher said, “Wow,
how did get all these Asian children to
stay behind after school?” And I said, “It
took eight years” but I didn’t have the
heart to start all over again.
In 1998, Rita Samuel, head teacher of the Royal Park Primary School
where I had been a parent and governor for several years finally
caved into my requests for pan tuition at her school. The primary
school was housed in a dignified and beautiful Victorian building
in an area of Leeds with a mixed population of university students,
Mirapuri Asian families, ex-students, university lecturers, etc.
Originating in Trinidad,
steel pans had no cultural
association for the children
of Royal Park but I knew
that this was the instrument
of social and academic
inclusion. Using colour
coding for the chords
inside the Foxwood song
sheets brought a halt to all
language barriers.
18
We decided to target only Year 6
students and started an after-school
club. I taught voluntarily and used my
own pans, bringing them up the steep
Victorian steps, setting them up, teaching
the music, sorting out the fights and
staggering back down the steps again.
By spring, we had a band and a
repertoire. Having played in concerts at
local special schools and the town centre
festival, we were featured in the local
newspapers.
The following year, we found a set of pans
to lend to Royal Park. The pans were
stacked in the corner of the hall between
practices. We extended our repertoire,
were asked to play for the Geographical
Society’s conference at Leeds University
and learnt “St Lucia” to play for the
outgoing President, in whose honour the
song had been written. We never learnt
anything so hard but played it very well.
Written By: Victoria
Jaquiss
19
●●●
who’s WHO ● ● ●
who’s WHO
Sebastian
LESLIE
Charles
aka Billy Ocean holds the
prestigious title of being the
biggest selling British black
artist of all time. During
a career spanning over 25
years, he has sold in excess
of 30 million singles and
albums worldwide, reaching
his pinnacle throughout the
1980’s. His determination
to succeed and talent have
always shone through even
the darkest of times, proving
that when the going gets
tough... the tough really does
get going.
He was born on the 21st January 1950,
in Fyzabad, Trinidad. From an early age
inspired by his dad’s love of Calypso
music, he started playing a small steel
pan and a blue ukulele, bought for him by
his mother’s friend. Billy attended choir
practice with his two elder sisters and the
school’s head teacher was so impressed
by his vocal performances that she would
often enter him into singing competitions.
In 1958, his family immigrated to England,
settling in the East End of London. At age
11, Billy attended Stepney Green School
for boys where he was an active member
of both the football and cricket teams
After leaving full time education he
had a variety of jobs including mattress
making, carpentry and working as a
security guard before going to college on
a bespoke tailoring course. Whilst serving
his apprenticeship in the Spitalfields
rag trade, he bought an old piano for
£38 lent to him by his boss. As a fully
Billy OCEAN
20
qualified tailor he worked for Norton and
Sons in London’s famous Savile Row. To
supplement his income he performed
with various local bands including Shades
of Midnight at the Bluecoat Boy in Norton
Folgate, as well as working as a session
singer around the recording studios. After
recording as Joshua, Piggy Bank and
Sam Spade amongst a variety of other
pseudonyms, his first single “Nashville
Rain” was released under his own name
Les Charles in 1971.
“On The Run” had its first airing on Radio
One thanks to Annie Nightingale. Billy
recalled, “It was a magical moment,” as
sewing machines stopped and the volume
on the radio went up. Unfortunately not
everyone felt the same and later that day
the singer was promptly sacked. He took
a job working nights at the giant Ford
Motors plant in Dagenham Essex allowing
him pursue his musical ambitions during
the day. In 1975, adopting the name
Billy Ocean, he signed a production deal
with Dick Leahy’s GTO label. His single
“Love Really Hurts Without You” reached
number 2 in the charts selling 250,000
copies.
His first album, “Billy Ocean” was
released in 1976 and “Everything’s
Changed” was released as a single to
credit Billy as a composer. He worked
with writer and producer Ken Gold
on his next Album “City Limit”. Billy
acknowledges Gold’s contribution.
“He really should get a little
respect in the sense that he
was one of the innovators of
English producers, taking
black artists and treating
them with a certain amount
of respect and being serious
with the music and sort of
making an opening for us”.
City Limit was dedicated in memory of
Billy’s father who had passed on during
the recording.
In 1979, his wife, Judy, gave birth to their
first child, a beautiful baby girl called
Cherie and their son, Anthony followed
in 1983.
Laurie Jay clinched a deal with Clive
Calder’s newly formed Jive records
and Billy flew to New York to work with
producer Keith Diamond who was also
Trinidadian born, tasked to do four
songs as a try-out, they completed
almost an entire album. One of these
tracks “European Queen” was issued
as Billy’s first single for his new label,
but Clive thought “Caribbean Queen”
sounded more exotic and would appeal
to a wider audience. The new recording
was released in September 1984 and
went on to be a worldwide hit earning
Billy a Grammy award the following year.
Another version of the song entitled
“African Queen” was recorded for the
African music
market.
Barry Eastmond
produced “Love
Zone” selling
100,000 copies
and adding yet
another gold
disc to Billy’s
collection. He
spent most of
1987 recording
his next album
with Lange/
Braithwaite/
Eastmond
and enjoying
fatherhood
with his baby
daughter,
Rachel. After
years of hard
work and
well-earned
success,
Billy
decided to
take time
away from
the music
business
and devote
himself to his young family.
Jive issued a “Greatest Hits” package
that featured Hollywood actor Will Smith
in September 1989, which became
Billy’s biggest, selling UK album. Billy
started performing with Ebony Steel
Orchestra, one of Europe’s top steel
bands, rekindling his passion for pan.
Starting off on Iron but later moving on to
Tenor, he played at the World Festival in
Trinidad, the European festival in France
and the Notting Hill Carnival Panorama
that Ebony won for a record 15th time in
2006.
In 1993, a younger looking
Billy sporting dreadlocks
following his conversion
to the Rastafarian religion
recorded his “Time To Move
On” album with R. Kelly.
In September 1998 Jive issued “Love Is
For Ever”, a twenty-four track double
album that achieved gold disc status. Billy
performed “When The Going
Gets Tough,
The Tough
Get Going”
with Celebrate
Music, a
combination
of 36 South
African and
UK musicians
at the South
Africa Freedom
Day concert
attended by Dr.
Nelson Mandela
in April 2001 at
London’s Trafalgar
Square. On 11th
November 2002,
Billy was awarded
an Honorary
Doctorate of Music
by the University of
Westminster, where
his eldest daughter
Cherie studied
for her degree in
Commercial music.
Cherie signed a
recording contract
with Jive in 2004 and
released her first
single “No 1”. To celebrate, Billy and
family dined at a restaurant in London’s
Savile Row, the very place he started
some 30 years before. Billy resides in
England, where he enjoys gardening and
spending time with his family at their
home in Berkshire.
By Mark
Dennelly
21
event PROFILE● ● ●
event PROFILE
Trinidad & Tobago’s
TRAFALGAR SQUARE EVENT
●●●
22
Rain poured all day on the 22nd of
September and as if blessed by the
Almighty the rains ended at around 4:00
p.m. to enable this energetic, cultural
and awe inspiring performance by Kenny
J, Pink Panther, Denyse Plummer,
Exodus Steel Orchestra and the
culturally dressed dancers.
Sagicor Exodus Steel Orchestra opened
the programme around 5.30 pm playing
Sniper’s, ‘Portrait of Trinidad & Tobago’
and continued with popular tunes from
the Mighty Sparrow and Lord Kitchener’s
repertoires.
Soca Artiste and former police officer,
Kenny J, got the large crowd in
attendance singing along with him as
he sang his ‘Sweet Soca Music’ and
some favourite old-time hits. Exodus
accompanied Eric ‘Pink Panther’ Taylor,
MC on the evening who had the crowd
fully entertained with his rendition of
Kitchener’s, ‘Sugar Bum Bum’ imitating
the trademark dance moves of the late
great Grandmaster.
The evening of September
22nd 2006 saw Trafalgar
Square lit up by an open
air concert of Calypso, Pan
and Dance as the final part
of the programme put on
by the T&T Trade Mission
which toured five nations—
Republic of Ireland,
Germany, Spain, France and
United Kingdom—between
September 5-23.
The crowd became a chorus as they sang
along with the Queen of Calypso, Denyse
Plummer, during her rendition of ‘Nah
Leaving’ and a medley of retro calypsoes
from the archives of the Mighty Sparrow,
Lord Kitchener and Calypso Rose. The
audience was treated to some wellchoreographed, energetic, cultural dance
moves from the dancers accompanied by
Exodus. Their skilful limbo dancing left
everyone speechless.
A jump-up, with Exodus
playing Shurwayne
Winchester’s, ‘Look the Band
Coming’ brought the show
to a climax after entertaining
the audience for a full two hours. The
High Commissioner to London, Glenda
Morean-Phillip, thanked the audience
for its attendance and the Trinidad and
Tobago Ministry of Culture for sending
the cultural contingent along with the
Trade Mission Team that gave their
audience the opportunity to experience
Trinidad and Tobago’s multiculturalism in
performance.
23
special FEATURE● ● ●
who’sPROFILE
band
WHO
Caribbean
CARNIVAL
Extravaganza
●●●
> In 1991, the Caribbean Carnival Extravaganza started
with a bang and had its World premiere at the prestigious
Barbican Hall, with 10 sold out performances, Wayne
Berkeley who also directed the production, designed all
the costumes. The show then toured the Theatre Royal
in Nottingham, De Montford Hall in Leicester and the
Cheltenham & Portsmouth Festivals.
The Caribbean Carnival Extravaganza
has always included Steel bands as
part of the programme. Steel bands
featured included Skiffle Bunch,
Phase One, Ebony, London All Stars,
Mangrove and Metronomes.
SONIC STEEL
Sonic Steel was founded by Sune Borregaard in 2001. Sune noted that at that time the Danish
steelband community almost entirely consisted of school bands and happy amateurs. The vision
of Sonic Steel was to showcase the possibilities a steelpan ensemble consisting of professional
musicians could achieve.
A
s such, all members of Sonic Steel
were headhunted to play in the band
and are some of the best steel pan
musicians in the Denmark. Sonic Steel’s
musicians are Lene M. Martinsen on tenor,
Rasmus Steenholt Skovmand on double
tenor, Katherine Pitarch on double second,
Sune Borregaard on cello, Marc Davies on
double bass and Soren Jensen on drums.
We wanted to play
music that would
assist the Danish pan
scene to evolve,
by setting a standard of highly professional
arrangements, performances and
recordings that would encourage other
bands to raise their own standards. We
tried to incorporate different techniques
and styles into our repertoire to introduce
something different to the steelpan
scene. Voicing techniques from big
24
bands, jazzy harmonies
and rhythm structures
around Afro-American
music were some of the
techniques employed but
we maintained the link to
the traditional steelband
repertoire, as this is where
it all started and we also
wanted to maintain that
identity.
Another of Sonic
Steel’s initiatives
was to give their players the
opportunity to express their
music more dynamically. We
found it easier to operate with a relatively
small crew of six players. The Danish
steel pan scene has been characterised
by a lot of relatively good steelbands
from a lot of music schools. However the
teachers in most cases are not pan players
themselves. This resulted in a kind of
wall being
created in the
education of
pan students,
as it can
be difficult
to find a
qualified
teacher,
once
they’ve
reached a
certain level. In
addition, there has not been bands/groups
to look up to in the same way as there are
with other instruments such as guitar or
drums. So Sonic Steel was formed to both
educate the panplayers and the generel
audience of the possibilities and versatility
of the steel pan.
If you want to know more about Sonic Steel
then visit www.sonicsteel.dk
By Sune
Borregaard
The production has performed at most
major venues in the United Kingdom,
including the Royal Albert and Festival
Halls, Symphony Hall in Birmingham,
De Montford Hall in Leicester, Theatre
Royal in Nottingham, St. David’s Hall in
Cardiff, the Queen Elisabeth Hall and
many festivals including the Llangollen
International Eisteddfod, Arundel,
Portsmouth, Southend -on-Sea and
Bristol Festivals. The show also toured
Holland performing 28 sold out shows
in 32 days and featured Calypso Rose,
Sannell Dempster and Kurt Allen; it was
the first time that a Trinidad production
had toured Holland with such great
success.
The Extravaganza also
performed in Istanbul
and scaled down
versions at the Tivoli in
Denmark and Sweden
where Ebony Steel band
was featured.
It is envisioned that the Extravaganza
will be brought to the London’s West End
with top Caribbean names in the music
business taking the lead parts, employing
special effects to enhance the quality of
the production. At present, the production
has been surviving on a shoestring budget
and inadequate funding to realise its full
potential as a major theatrical event.
by Sonny
Blacks
25
●●●
event PROFILE● ● ●
event PROFILE
Guests on the evening included Ashton Forde, from the Trinidad and Tobago’s High
Commission, Directors of the London Notting Carnival Limited, Executives from
the Notting Hill Carnival Arts Arenas and Arthur France OBE whose most lasting
achievement is his promotion of the first ever Leeds West Indian Carnival in 1967.
Throughout his life, he has had a love of steel pan music and has had ambitions to raise
the profile of steel pan. In the 1960s he established ‘The Gay Cavaliers Steel Band’ and,
in an effort to continue to encourage young people to learn to play, formed New World
Steel Orchestra in 1984. Now in retirement, he continues to press for the establishment
of a fully funded centre for a Leeds Youth Steel Orchestra in Chapeltown, Leeds.
It was an evening filled with honouring individuals and groups for their outstanding
performances as well as their unselfish dedication coupled with undying drive and
determination in the promotion, and development of the steel pan art form. Four of
Trinidad’s outstanding ambassadors in the likes of Floella Benjamin, Rudolph Walker,
Andrew Ramroop and international singer, Billy Ocean were recipients on the night
for their contribution to the promotion of steel pan music, art, culture and heritage.
Two anniversaries, eight competitions and the BAS Hall of Fame awards were also
presented on the night.
Entertainment was supplied by Engine Room featuring Carlene Etienne, Pan Explosion
2K6 Champion soloist and DJs Sugar K (Unique FM) and Mike Forbes dishing out some
rather catchy numbers that had everyone on the dance floor until the wee hours of the
morning. Roy McEwen of the Caribbean Music Association was M.C. on the night.
BAS continues their sterling work in promoting this wonderful art form. It is without a
doubt the perfect machinery for bringing together the UK’s diverse population and for
reflecting and promoting the culture of Trinidad and Tobago.
BAS achieved a number of their planned initiatives, which included the creation of their
youth forum – The Future Development Forum, affording all member bands web pages
and email addresses, initiating the formation of a network of regional committees and
hosting an international conference on pan to name a few. Future initiatives will see the
Association play an active role in London and Paris in 2007 to mark the 150th and 200th
anniversaries of the abolition of slavery and the 40th anniversary of the Leeds West
Indian Carnival. For more information visit www.panpodium.com.
The 8th Annual British Association of Steelbands’ Awards was hosted at the
Holiday Inn, Bloomsbury on the 2nd December 2006. This event has evolved from its humble
beginnings in the Tabernacle, Ladbroke Grove in 1999 to recognise and honour the contributions
of individuals, groups and organisations to the promotion of steel pan music, culture and
heritage throughout the UK. Since its inception, the event has grown in stature and has now
established itself in the UK community’s calendar. It provides the steelband community with an
opportunity to reflect on the past, cherish the present and plan for the future.
Awards 2006
BAS 8TH ANNUAL AWARDS 2006
26
27
●
●●
●●
●
readers
LETTERS
who’s WHO
Have YOUR SAY!
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Send us your views...
DIUM
DEAR PANPO
magazine, I
the Pan Podium
After reading
th the level of
h impressed wi
azine.
was very muc
t into the mag
pu
il
m and deta
pages
e
th
h
ug
professionalis
ro
th
g
ent upon goin
rd work is put
It became evid
votion and ha
de
of
copies
al
de
t
eing previous
se
that a grea
of
of
and standard
d the privilege
y
ha
nc
te
ve
is
ha
I
ns
co
it.
e
th
into
a
en
r
se
fo
g
n
io
vin
e and ha
e such a pass
of the magazin
see
inspiring to se
to
is
g
it
tin
y
ci
sa
ex
t
ry
us
Im
also ve
the magazine
d abroad. It is
d fan
being projecte
ge following an
hu
a
ch
su
‘Trini’ art form
ve
y ha
rewards
tr
e
un
th
co
ap
r
re
ou
m
s. I hope you
an
something fro
pe
ro
Eu
od work!
d
go
e Brits an
keep up the
base among th
magazine and
is
th
to
in
t
pu
rk
of the hard wo
Marcus Alidad
Tacarigua, Trini
DEAR PANPODIUM
I believe that the steel pan is one of the most potential instruments in the world today. It
has come a long way since its invention in the first half of the 20th century and has the
potential of going even farther. Though it is rapidly gaining popularity all over the world,
it has yet to achieve acknowledgement as a serious instrument in its own right. As a
composer, arranger and player, I see it as one of my foremost duties to help to contribute
to the evolution of the steel pan. I do my best to write for and play the instrument in
different constellations and styles, as I see the lack of a repertoire and knowledge about
the instrument’s versatility to be the strongest hindrance for its integration into global
music. Pan Podium is certainly doing its part in this process.
Sune Borregard
Denmark
DEAR PANPODIUM
Hello pal it was an honour to have met you and thanks for the Pan Podium magazine.
Keep up the great work you are doing for our culture in Europe. I look forward to meeting
you again. Once again thanks for everything you are doing in the promotion of the red,
white and black. Bless.
Eric ‘Pink Panther’ Taylor - Trinidad
28
who’s WHO ● ● ●
Yolande
RICHARDSON
A fresh new face on the New York
Pan scene is Yolande Richardson who
entered the steel band music arena as
a tenor player at age of sixteen with
Arima Senior Comprehensive School
Band, Trinidad.
Winter ‘06
issue
WRITE
US
AND
WIN!
Write to us here at Pan Podium
with your thoughts and feedback
on the magazine. If we print yours
as the ‘Star’ letter you could win a
year’s subscription of Pan Podium
and CDs.
In all letters please include your name, address and
email contact. Letters that are not published in the
magazine will be used for the website. All letters
are subject to editing for space and clarity.
Send your letters to:
[email protected]
From there Yolande teamed up with the Jay Notes of
Sande Grande and on to the Sangre Grande Cordettes.
Yolande fears solo performances but to her credit,
she successfully performed the National Anthem of
Trinidad and Tobago for a school sports day at St.
Crispin’s Anglican School. Now she seeks refuge in a
group environment. >
H
er love of the Tenor faded into a passion with the
Bass as her musical talents blossomed during
her tenure with the Jay Notes. Her appointment
as secretary to the Jay Notes helped Yolande to
recognize that dedication and love of steel music is
the driving force behind the successes the art form
has achieved, as there is no pay scale future for its
musicians. A full time nurse, Yolande finds solace
in steel and is contemplating ways for women to
become more involved in the organizational aspect
of managing a steel orchestra.
After finding a home with Utopia Pan Soul-The
Next Generation and elevated to the office of Vice
President, Yolande is working with the executive
members to help the orchestra meet their goals.
Scheduling free classes to teach music theory to
future musicians; orchestrating fundraising events
to attract more youth involvement in the steel band
music genre and seeking innovative ways to obtain
sponsorship and funding.
Candidly emphasizing the fact that total
professionalism is the path to garnering respect
for steel musicians, Yolande plans to introduce and
institute contractual obligations to membership
with the organization. Yolande envisions the
establishment of a steel centre to showcase the
art form and hopes that it is accomplished in her
time. With so many exciting events on the horizon
for pannists. Yolande is tireless in her efforts
to help the next generation realize their bright
future as steel musicians. Contact Yolande at
[email protected].
by Vanessa Clarke
29
●●●
special FEATURE● ● ●
band PROFILE
St
Micheals
& ALL ANGELS STEEL BAND
Founded in 1996 as part of the St Michaels Music project, the
steel band through its can do approach which is underpinned
by discipline and respect helps youngsters raise their selfesteem and develop leadership, peer education and teamwork
skills.
T
he St Michael & All Angels Steel Band
has performed at St Paul’s Cathedral
twice, at many civic events including the
annual fundraising Ball for the Mayor
of Brent on three occasions. The band
opened the first Diversity Conference
of the National Probation Service at the
Novatel Hotel in Hammersmith, London.
The St Michael & All Angels
Steel Band is well known
in Brent for their support
of community groups in the
area.
During the first four weeks of the
summer break, the band ran a
workshop, which ended with the annual
summer concert at the St Michael &
All Angels Church. In 2006, the band
performed classical pieces by Mozart
and Mendelssohn, as well as a strong
repertoire of popular music going back
over 60 years in a variety of different
styles.
Band master, arranger and tuner, Alfred
Totesaut, affectionately known by all as
‘Freddy’ has been with the steel band
from its formation and is the main reason
why the standard of play in the band is so
high with much more to come.
By Patrick
McKay
Future
DEVELOPMENT
BAS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT FORUM
The FDF was created in 2006 to allow young people in the pan community to begin to develop
the skills they will need to lead future generations of Steel Bands and Pan players. The FDF
will aim to tighten the strength of the UK pan community by highlighting and developing the
innovative skills and talents of pan players.
The BAS FDF is made up of young people
from BAS member bands. They host
regular meetings on the last Sunday
of each month to discuss ideas and
suggestions and plan activities. Their
current executive committee comprises of
the acting Chair of the Forum - Delphina
James, Vice Chair - Miles Pascall, and
Secretary – Navina Nallamuthu. Some of
their representatives have been quoted as
saying, ‘We enjoy working with people with
the same passion’ and ‘I want to be part of
the FDF to help host activities and improve
my event planning skills’.
FDF’s first
undertaking was
the organisation of
the Association’s
Pan Explosion 2K6
competition, which
was held at the
Drum Centre in
Birmingham in May
2006.
Their enthusiasm, drive and determination
coupled with the support and guidance
of the BAS executive members saw them
host their first successful event. Driven
by success their youthful energy has led
them to hosting an enjoyable ‘Carols on
Steel’ concert at the Stardust pan yard in
December 2006 with more events planned
for the summer of 2007.
This young group of talented pan musicians
have certainly started as they mean
to continue. The future of the British
Association of Steelbands certainly has
a bright outlook as FDF develop and
blossom through the support, guidance and
nurturing of the BAS executive.
Email them at [email protected].
30
31
●●●
cd REVIEWS● ● ●
band PROFILE
Entertainment REVIEWS!
Firebirds
PHOENIX FIREBIRDS STEEL BAND
O
nce in awhile a new band comes
along, adding variety to the already
colourful musical landscape. Combining
the artistic attributes of six experienced
musicians, Phoenix steel ensemble was
born, creating a fresh dimension to the
steel pan world. Each individual brings
a unique flavour to the Phoenix family.
From soloists to vocalist their versatility
is quite evident, playing R&B, Jazz,
Latin, Pop, Reggae, Calypso and many
other genres of music. Phoenix steel
band was created to provide programs,
events and services to promote/support
the understanding and appreciation of
Caribbean heritage and culture for the
enrichment of the lives of people in the
community.
by Ron
32
Shah
Their goals are to train, nurture and encourage creative
musical talent especially among the youth and promote the
cultural diversity of music while developing key elements of
world music, as well as create, maintain and support other
music performance ensembles and music education projects
in Ontario.
Robbie Charles from Pamberi steel
orchestra is their musical director;
he performs solo, and has released
numerous CDs in Toronto. Collette
Murray and Catherine Dickenson
have extensive experience in cultural
and classic dance, they double up as
Phoenix’s dance troupe. Gerard Williams,
their bass man, also sings and his
voice has become a special feature at
performances. Vince Gobind is their
‘Conga Man’ and International DJ who
performs across North and South
America and throughout the Caribbean.
Wayne Donawa is a multi-talented
musician, web designer, graphics
designer, soloist and teacher, who is into
everything Pan. He is also the creator
of Chrome Addicts www.chromeaddict.
com. Ronald Shah considers himself the
glue, keeping the peace and ensuring
everything runs smoothly, handling the
bookings and public relations sector.
Other ensembles in their organisation
includes the Phoenix Sunbirds and
Phoenix Juniors.
Contact details:
Website: www.phoenixsteelband.com
Email: [email protected].
Tel: 416 358-3919
Fax: 416 620-1970
Sticks and Fingers
Len Boogsie Sharpe
& Pelham Goddard
Music in we Blood
Croydon Steel
Orchestra
Street Steel
Graeme College
Phase One Steel
Orchestra
Good selection of successful
Soca, Calypso, Jazz and
R&B steel pan adaptation.
Programming from Pelham
Goddard does not suffer from
repetitiveness as other pan
CDs seem to suffer from.
Inclusion of the female vocal
is very complimentary. A
successful partnership that
resulted in the production
of an extremely marketable
product.
Live pan recordings of
popular steel pan renditions
such as the Cricket Tune,
Unchained Melody, High
Mas, Trini to de Bone and the
Sixties Melody.
A product CSO must be
proud of.
Steel pan reaches South
Africa! And is well
represented by the high
grade of musicianship
that has been recorded on
this CD, their first! A good
selection of medium paced
compositions, the order of
which was obviously well
planned. The reverb/echo
is slightly distracting but
Vivienne, Steve and Anthony
have every right to be proud
of the band they helped to
form. I eagerly await their
next recordings.
Recorded live at Butts
College Theatre in Coventry.
The audience adds to
the ambience of the live
recording which is well done.
Good selection of well known
tunes like the fast paced ‘In
the Mood’ by G Miller and
the slow paced ‘Bridge Over
Troubled Water’ by P Simon.
Caribeye – Stephan Wrwyler, Martin Streule, Samuel Rohrer, Wilbert Gill
An alternative modern jazz approach opens this album which compliments the steel pan and shows its
versatility as an instrument, accompanied by guitar, keyboards, bass and drums. All nine tracks were
recorded live in four hours but the quality of sound is not comprised. A welcomed break from traditional
pan melodies and arrangements. It appears that most if not all are original songs. Very intimate,
soulful and seductive. A must have CD for the pan connoisseur.
Pieces of Pan – Sonic Steel
In August 2006, Sonic Steel released the CD Pieces of Pan that features unique arrangements of
calypso, bosa nova, and jazz played by this elite group of pannists from Denmark. Pieces of Pan is both
an interesting and varied album with soft and mellow arrangements like Radames y Pele as well as
hard-swinging mambo tracks like Manteca. Sonic Steel’s versatility is demonstrated by their recording
of Thelonius Monk’s tune In Walked Bud, as well as their sense of dynamic expression that brings the
Cuban tune Amantes to vibrant life. The ensemble has an amazing sense of feel and expression for the
music, and these arrangements dynamically express their talent. This album brings something new and
fresh to the steel pan scene.
33
●●●
event PROFILE● ● ●
event PROFILE
School
PROMS ‘06
MUSIC FOR YOUTH
SCHOOLS PROM
2006 SCALING THE
HEIGHTS - THE
YOUNG MUSICIANS
WHO ARE TOP
OF THE CLASS
PERFORM AT THE
ROYAL ALBERT
HALL, LONDON SW7
13-15 NOVEMBER
2006 AT 7.00 PM
34
M
usic for Youth invited 3,000 young
musicians, singers and dancers
to perform at the Schools Prom on
Monday 13, Tuesday 14 and Wednesday
15 November in the Royal Albert Hall,
London. Acclaimed lyricist Richard
Stilgoe, composer Howard Goodall and
Classic FM presenter Lisa Duncombe
introduced these joyous and jubilant
concerts. The thirty groups of young
instrumentalists and singers from
across the country were invited to
perform at the Royal Albert Hall
concerts following their performances
earlier this year at the National Festival
of Music for Youth.
Symphony and string orchestras
perform alongside classical Indian
musicians, rock, folk, jazz and funk
bands, steel bands and string trios;
Japanese drummers and renaissance
brass consorts are joined by wind bands,
brass bands, steel bands, music theatre
groups, choirs and acappella singers.
Each evening eleven different groups
aged from seven to twenty-one years
old took to the stage, for the highlight
of the youth music year. These groups
were chosen from those who performed
to great acclaim at the National Festival
of Music for Youth in Birmingham in July
2006 where Brent Holder judged the
Steel band category.
On the first night of the Schools Prom,
Haringey Young Musicians’ Steel
Orchestra opened the second half of
the concert with its exciting and vibrant
performance of two pieces arranged
especially for the orchestra by its
musical director, Chris Storey. This is
not the first time the orchestra of twenty
9-19 year olds has been invited to play
at the Schools Proms, but it is in fact
returning to the Royal Albert Hall after a
rapturously received performance at the
Music for Youth Primary Prom in October.
On the same evening, Portobello Snorkel,
a mixed instrumental and choir group of
twenty one 7-12 year olds from Notting
Hill Prep School, London W11, brought
their innovative and
original composition
to the Royal Albert
Hall. These
youngsters painted
a sound portrait
of the colourful
Portobello Market
with some of their
own compositions,
music by their
director and teacher,
Ben Harlan, Miles
Davis and Fiocco.
The snorkels came
in as they compared
being in the market
with swimming in
a beautiful lagoon
– and the bubble
blowers, workmen and women; traders,
rapping buskers and the irate policeman
were great.
In addition to the thirty groups that
performed at the National Festival
of Music for Youth, massed choirs
from three music centres have also
been invited to perform over the three
evenings. Richmond (Surrey), Bristol and
Northamptonshire presented massed
choirs of primary school children – over
500 each night ranged in the choir stalls
– accompanied by young musicians and
dancers, giving over 1500 young children
the breathtaking opportunity to perform
in the Royal Albert Hall.
As well as hearing the cream of the crop
of young musicians who guarantee the
future of marvellous music-making in
Great Britain, audiences were encouraged
to join in the fun, singing as Elgar’s
Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 was
played each evening, marvelling at the
balloons, fireworks flags and tickertape
of the finale. The range of composers
performed included the classical
– Copland, Dukas, Gabrieli, Gershwin,
Holst, Khatachurian, Mussorgsky,
Sibelius, Walton; the pop and jazz
– Lennon/McCartney, Harrison, Shifrin,
Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock – modern
choral from Bob Chilcott, Lin Marsh
and Mike Brewer, as well as original
works from eight groups – written either
by a member of the group, the group
as a whole, or their musical directors.
Music is alive and well in the schools
and educational centres of the country
and the Schools Prom underscores and
celebrates this.
Music for Youth is an educational charity
with a world-wide reputation for its work
in music education, which provides free
access to performance opportunities for
all kinds of young musicians through
its annual programme of festivals and
concerts. Music for Youth believes that
performing in front of live audiences is a
vital element in spurring on young people
to greater achievement.
Funded by:
Major Sponsors: National Union
of Teachers and The Times
Educational Supplement
Sponsor: John Hornby Skewes &
Co. Ltd.
Founding Sponsor: Music
Industries Association
With funding from: Department
for Education and Skills and Youth
Music.
Media Partner: Classic FM
Supported by:
The Associated Board of the Royal
Schools of Music,
Musicians Benevolent Fund, Trinity
Guildhall, Department of Education
for Northern Ireland
35
●●●
band PROFILE● ● ●
band PROFILE
SV2G
WYCOMBE
STEEL
ORCHESTRA
After Brooklyn - New
York, High Wycombe has
the largest Vincentian
community in the world
outside St. Vincent itself.
The other major minority
ethnic group settled in
the town has its origins in
Mirpur (AK) Pakistan. The
county of Buckinghamshire
has the largest
concentration of Vincentians
in the UK. The relationship
between the District
Council and St. Vincent
and the Grenadines is well
documented and several
exchanges have taken place
as gestures of goodwill.
SV2G are very aware that young
Caribbean students in British schools
have little or no exposure to their
heritage, as there are no tangible
resources in schools to equip these
students to develop and increase their
self-esteem through an exploration of
their identity, and their uniqueness. This
has led to many Caribbean students
under achieving in British schools.
Government research into this problem
has highlighted the need for more
cultural awareness within school settings
to enable all pupils to have a greater
SV2g
36
respect and tolerance of others and it is
very important that the teachers and the
community as a whole gain an insight into
the Caribbean culture.
We have built a sound relationship
with local schools and youth clubs in
the area and have linked schools in St.
Vincent & the Grenadines with schools
in High Wycombe, forging a relationship
to promote the Windward Islands,
enhancing the Vincentian heritage and
culture. Our schools partner, WIBDECO,
funded presentations in UK schools on
the banana industry in the Windward
Islands that is on the brink, owing to
increased competition in the market. The
new yearning of Caribbean people based
in the UK to identify with and understand
their “roots”, and the emphasis within the
school system on food is of great interest
to us. As a result, we have included an
educational project in the organisation
consisting of many programmes. One
of which was where we visited schools
with a heritage and cultural exhibition,
together with a selection of historical
and contemporary collections relating
to everyday life in the Caribbean. SV2G
has also had an educational tour from
St. Vincent & the Grenadines Education
Ministry during the month of March
2006. The successful visit to youth clubs,
community groups and schools saw the
Vincentian entourage treated to cultural
poetry, music, dance, and workshops.
SV2G wants to encourage good
citizenship and sustain a sense of
belonging, pride and self-worth among
community members by providing an
awareness of Caribbean culture and
filling the gap of knowledge within our
community. The steel pan project we
are currently running involves the young
people learning a wide repertoire that
was used to showcase their talent during
a community festival in September 2006
and Black History Month in October. This
promoted a positive image and social
interaction within our diverse community.
The steel pans are used as an instrument
for playing and as a tool for workshops on
its history. The vision was for the group
to teach parents and grandparents to play
the steel pans over the summer to enable
a performance of three generations of
players to perform at the UK celebration
of Black History Month.
SV2G currently have 26 players and a
large waiting list! They are planning to
take a dozen off the waiting list to start
a beginner group that is financed by
Lottery funding. Further funding will
see another steel pan project in 2007
including the purchase of computers and
software to enable their young tutors to
compose their own arrangements. SV2G
will be starting a research project in
2007 on the development of steel pans in
contemporary society and introducing a
grading system into their Organisation.
By Jacqueline Roberts
Pan Sticks
FOR
SALE
contact: Felix Joseph
Tel:020 8478 8773
Mob: 07808 847 974
37
event PROFILE● ● ●
EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL
CONFERANCE ON STEELPAN
event PROFILE
The first ever
●●●
38
The overall aims and
objectives of the conference
were to:
• Provide a forum for discussion
on the diverse range of academic
activities associated with the steel pan;
including historical aspects.
• Exchange ideas on models and
processes developed successfully
around the globe.
• Discuss and report on experiences
of teaching models in education, in
the form of workshops and personal
experiences.
• Foster national and international
links with the aim of enhancing the
success of projects and maximising
funding opportunities.
• Establish steel band activities within
the curriculum of higher educational
institutes particularly at universities.
The meeting was opened by UEL registrar,
Dr. Alan Ingle who voiced his considerable
interest in steel pan and the university’s
association and its conferral of honorary
degrees to eminent contributors of this
art form. He also outlined the association
that Nostalgia Steel band had with the
university over the years that led up to this
conference.
The First European
International Conference
on Steelpan commissioned
by the British Association
of Steelbands (BAS)
entitled: “Steelband Music
and Education in the 21st
Century; Projecting a Vision
of the Future through Global
Experiences” was held at the
University of East London,
Docklands Campus between
30 - 31st August 2006. Its
main sponsor was the Arts
Council of England but
the meeting was also part
supported by Yakult (UK) and
Natren (USA).
One Hundred and seven participants
attended over the two days. They mainly
came from the UK and Europe as well as
Japan, Canada, the Caribbean and South
America. Participants included pannists,
tuners, teachers, students, researchers
and academics. The conference progressed
from an open discussion on issues facing
the steel pan in the UK and Europe through
to various teaching methods and formal
presentation sessions on the second day.
Some of the themes covered by the various
presenters included Pan in Education, Pan
and Global Networking, BAS initiatives,
Experiences of particular countries such as
the UK, Trinidad, Germany, Canada, Japan
and France, Accreditation and Standards.
A wide range of issues was discussed.
These included, sponsorship of steel band
in the context of carnivals and festivals,
difficulties in finding venues for rehearsing
especially in London, communication, the
role of panorama in the development of
the steel pan art form, panorama judging
criteria and standards, pan teaching
resources, accreditation and standards, pan
as a subject of research and study in higher
education, BAS national and international
initiatives and the use of global networking
through the internet. Another import issue
was the (traditional) pivotal role of Trinidad
and Tobago in the development of steel pan
and setting of standards and present-day
autonomous trends and developments
in pan taking place in other parts of the
globe. It was recognised that as pan, the
instrument goes global; people of other
cultures will appropriate it in their specific
context. At the same time, it was noted
that the Caribbean practitioners need to
be more pro-active in keeping abreast and
ahead of developments in pan in as much
as the Caribbean represents the cradle of
this art form.
Outcomes
A key aim of this conference was to
initiate the introduction of steel pan into
the music curriculum of universities.
An invitation during this meeting by
Dr. Jo Thomas (Music Department,
University of East London to meet with
the organisers, to make this a reality, has
been accepted. Should this materialise,
this would represent a significant step
towards achieving the major thrust of this
conference and help to consolidate its
position for a subsequent conference in
two years.
A follow up meeting on accreditation and
standards was proposed by Diana Hancox
and accepted. This was held in January
2007 in London.
Finally, a book featuring conference papers
and summary of issues discussed will be
published.
By Haroun Shah,
Lionel McCalman
and Gregory Rabess
39
●●●
who’s WHO ● ● ●
who’s WHO
AndyNEILS
THE ART OF PAN TUNING
IS ALIVE WITH ANDY ‘MAD
MAX’ NEILS
One of the pan tuning greats Lincoln
‘Delgado’ Noel has passed, but the
art of tuning is alive and the torch is
passionately carried by some of the
other greats of his generation, including
Bertram ‘Birch’ Kelman, Wallace Austin
and Bertie Marshall, to mention a few.
And then there are those of the ‘next’
generation - such as Andy ‘Mad
Max’ Neils who is one of the most
sought-after pan-tuners in the
world; regularly declining jobs to
tune entire orchestras and even
individual pan instruments, both
in Trinidad and abroad. The
likes of Desperadoes, Exodus,
Invaders, Skiffle Bunch and
CASYM (New York) steel
orchestras, and many more
in the US Virgin Islands,
Jamaica, Aruba and
Antigua - all bear the
mark and sounds of
his expert skills.
40
In 1981, at age seventeen,
after spending a short
while with Blue Diamonds,
he joined the South
East Secondary School’s
steelband. Whilst at school
he joined Renegades and
spent fifteen years with
their panorama and worldtraveled stage side.
It was at Renegades that legendary
arranger Dr. Jit Samaroo dubbed him
‘Mad Max’ because of his playing skills.
Andy wanted to make pan his life. He
set his sights on pan tuning and his first
formal taste of it was during a six-week
course run by Pan Development Unlimited
at Belmont Junior Secondary School in
Port-of-Spain. Desmond Waithes taught
the music theory segment and played
a pivotal role in Andy’s initiation into
arranging on the national scene.
was the interaction with
Ia tthe
late Clive Bradley,
music instructor at a
Pan Trinbago’s tuning
workshop that gave Andy
the confidence to explore
the world of arranging. This
boost of confidence saw
him contact Desmond at
the Belmont Intermediate
School who agreed to have
the school band participate
in the Junior National
Panorama with Andy as
the arranger. Andy got
Renegades to allow the
students to use their pans
and with this concession
in place, took them to
Panorama for two years. He
then moved to traditional
bands in the likes of Rhythm
Rockers from Arima. Andy
also worked with Nutones
and Marsicans whilst
perfecting his tuning skills.
In fact, he acted as arranger
and tuner for Hilarks in
Belmont.
Andy’s exposure to pan tuning marked
the beginning of his music literacy
experience. It instilled in him a desire
to experiment and accomplish more
on the instrument. From 1996, when
he was employed at TTIL, he received
his true education, gaining most of his
experience and pan tuning skills. He
initially joined TTIL and was assigned
the task to prepare - but not tune - the
‘souvenir’ pans. His insatiable quest
saw Andy using his spare time to
tune pans that TTIL had cast aside as
defective. The recognition he got whilst
tuning a discarded tenor saw him finally
land a job among the ‘real’ artisans,
tuning conventional instruments. His
appointment as the company’s tuner for
middle range instruments came after
tuning a side of a triple guitar given to
him by Lincoln Noel. He also worked on
double seconds with Lincoln who shared
his knowledge on working in octaves and
balancing.
Reminiscing about
some of his other
TTIL experiences,
Andy chuckled as
he spoke about the
hours spent tuning
the pans that Gabriel
‘Doyle’ Robley was
given responsibility
for. Robley was not
at all averse to this,
as a result Andy’s
tuning prowess and
experience grew
immensely. He
considers those
experiences at TTIL
an apt trade off
for his expertise
today. Later, when
Lincoln Noel took
Andy to tune
Desperadoes’
guitar pans, his
popularity grew.
He accompanied
Nutones Steel
Orchestra to Kuala Lumpur as their
tuner and sometime after tuned the
T &T Defence Force Steel Orchestra’s
instruments for a World Steelband
Festival, where they tied with Exodus
Steel Orchestra for championship honors.
It was around this time Andy left TTIL,
and forged a path on his own.
Andy’s ten years of pan tuning has
fuelled a desire to pass on his own
talents, teaching or apprenticing select
individuals. His vision is to open his own
pan tuning school in the next five years.
He has been the resident
tuner for Invaders Steel
Orchestra’s frontline
instruments and upon the
death of tuner, Leo Coker,
did the same range of pans
for Exodus for their 2003 2006 panorama seasons. He
also tuned for Skiffle Bunch
and Desperadoes for the
‘2K6 Pan in the 21st Century’
competition.
Andy said that although
he has tuned entire orchestras his true
preference is to produce individual
instruments of all voices of steel pan for
smaller ensembles.
His tuning for the CASYM Steel Orchestra
in New York of course played a vital role
in their 2006 Panorama championship
win. In fact, he has been requested to
produce brand new instruments for the
entire one hundred-player orchestra.
He maintains his reputation as a worldrenowned and talented pan tuner, and
nurtures a love for his craft and a respect
for the instrument, coming from his many
years as a pan player. He is very vocal in
his gratitude and appreciation for the late,
Lincoln Noel, whose confidence in Andy
has paid off, not only for Andy himself, but
also for those fortunate enough to avail
themselves of his talents.
Website: www.panmaxstudios.com
By: When Steel Talks
www.Panonthenet.com
41
●●●
band PROFILE● ● ●
band PROFILE
They regularly appear at shows, garden
festivals, carnivals and shopping precincts,
taking on over 40 events each year
throughout the UK. In recent years, they
have toured Devon as well as the northern
and midland counties, Scotland and North
Wales. Pantonic All Stars have performed
in Europe on many occasions, visiting the
other twin town Heilbronn, Germany in May
1993, touring Barbados in August 1998 and
revisiting Beziers and Valras Plage in France
in the summer of 2004. Their next tour is
to Esbjerg in Denmark in February 2007, to
undertake workshops and concerts for the
youth service.
Pantonic
The orchestra currently has 24 senior
players and a junior section of 18. They not
only provide a music service for the young
people of Stockport but also a social and
youth function. Since 1985, they have raised
over £32,000 for the Royal Manchester
Children’s Hospital Bone Marrow Trust
Fund as well as supporting many other local
and national charities through fund raising
performances.
PANTONIC ALL STARS STEEL ORCHESTRA!
Formed in 1985,
Pantonic All Stars
started with steel
pans obtained from
several sources, and
progressed to chrome
plated instruments as
funds became available
from gigging and
charitable sources. In
1987, they made their
first visit to Beziers,
Stockport’s twin town
in the south of France.
Pantonic All Stars has taken part in a number of competitions
but most notably in the National ‘Music for Youth’ Festival
where they were presented with the Outstanding Performance
Award twice and performed at School Proms concerts
including the Royal Albert Hall, four times between 1989 and
1995. They were featured several times on television, radio
and youth programmes including Blue Peter and the ‘Young
Entertainer of the Year’ semi finals on BBC1.
42
Their repertoire includes pop and light
classical music, as well as the traditional
calypso. In 1989, they recorded their first
cassette at the famous Strawberry Studios
in Stockport. Since then four CDs have
been recorded with cassette versions.
Easy listening and modern tunes are
mixed with a selection of calypsos and
some well-known classics, initially
arranged by Nigel Braithwaite and then
by Scott Sinckler. Steven Marshall is their
current musical director.
In 1996, they got a National Lottery grant
with which they purchased a minibus
and van to transport their equipment.
The lottery grant and money from fund
raising also assisted in the purchase of
musical instruments including cases and
stands as well as uniforms for more than
35 players. Biggs Yearwood made all their
pans and they have recently bought their
first set of high quads and a couple more
bow tenors. >
Visit website www.pantonic-all-stars.org
By Adrian
Botham
BOOK REVIEW!
The Gerald Forsyth Story
The publication gives its readers an
opportunity to delve into the exclusive
world of Pan Music. It takes you on a
journey through time from the early
days of the steel pan instrument in the
1940s to present day. Gerald Forsyth
shares his experiences, trials and
tribulations with such clarity that
it affords the reader the privileged
opportunity of visualising event rolling
into event. The book covers the past
but also highlights the future of the
Steel Pan.
To date, Gerald is still in demand for pan
teaching workshops and seminars. His
appearance/workshop at the first London
Steel Pan Conference in September 2006
was well received. Throughout his career,
Gerald has always remained steadfast and
true to himself, a global traveller, sharing
his talent as a musician and tutor. He
established pan teaching in London’s ILEA
schools, formed his own steel band and
steel band combos and has become the
steel pan legend he is today. Truly a great
publication of this icon’s musical journey
with the steel pan instrument that must be
read by all.
43
●●●
special FEATURE● ● ●
event PROFILE
London’s
LORD MAYOR SHOW
Croydon Steel Orchestra was
invited to participate at the
2006 Lord Mayor’s Show in
London.
This annual event took place on
Saturday, 11th November with a threemile procession involving over 130
organisations and more than 6,000 people
in 250 vehicles and 71 floats parading
from Mansion House to The Royal Courts
of Justice and returning to Mansion House
via the Victoria Embankment. The event
was attended by over quarter a million
people.
Croydon Steel Orchestra, a well known
South London youth steel band based in
Croydon, Surrey and led by its Musical
Director, Paul Dowie, teamed up with the
Prostate Cancer Charity for the prestigious
event to highlight and raise
awareness of prostate cancer. Over the
last few years, the band has performed
at various venues in England and has
taken part in the Notting Hill Carnival
and Panorama. In 2005, they won
the ‘Best Band on The Road’
competition.
The band played a variety of music soca/
calypso, reggae and popular music, which
had the crowd swaying to the rhythms of
the steel pans. The Army Marshall who
accompanied the band on the route said
that they were most impressive and he
noticed the crowd were more receptive to
the pan music than other floats present
at the event. What also surprised many
people was that the band compromised
of mainly white British pan players. The
band‘s performance has resulted in an
invitation to next year’s Show.
By Suresh
Rambaran
S terling Betancourt
TASPO, STERLING BETANCOURT HONOURED
Sterling Betancourt, one of the members of TASPO receives his award from Minister of Community
Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Joan Yuille-Williams.
Gender Affairs held “Panguard Awards” at
the Crowne Plaza, Wrightson Road, Port
of Spain. Special tribute was paid to the
surviving members of TASPO.
Every year 32,000 men are
diagnosed with prostate
cancer in the UK. Prostate
cancer is now the most
common cancer diagnosed in
men in the UK.
Afro-Caribbean men are three times
more likely to be diagnosed with cancer
than their white counterparts. The
Prostate Cancer Charity has a special
project to raise awareness among the
Afro-Caribbean community as they are
usually diagnosed at a late stage and
curative treatment is not effective.
For free and confidential information
on Prostate Cancer and prostate
problems please call:
The Prostate Cancer Charity
Helpline on 0800 074 8383.
The musicians of the Trinidad
All Steel Percussion Orchestra
who ventured out to stardom
way back in 1951 never knew
what to expect when they
introduced the little known steel
pan. Then the world fell in love
with the magic of the modified
oil drums and the harmony of
sweet music for the instrument
began.
44
That was the experience of the members
of the nation’s First National Steel
Orchestra when they shared the gift of
the pan across the seas. Sadly though,
the same pan men who pioneered the
movement were forgotten, their music
appreciated and remembered by only the
“diehards”. However, this was put right
in November 2006 when Pan Trinbago
in collaboration with the Ministry of
Community Development, Culture and
Pan Trinbago’s President, Patrick Arnold,
distributed plaques as well as cheques
to the members of the First National
Steel band. Arnold said: “As a nation
we must never forget the contributions
made by those men who did more than
introduce an instrument to the world.
He pointed out that they also placed
Trinidad and Tobago on the world stage
way back then.” Minister of Community
Development, Culture and Gender Affairs,
Joan Yuille-Williams said: “When the
First National Steel band made their first
tour the members were not paid for their
services.” She added, that the envelopes
with which the honourees were presented
on the night represented payment for only
that first tour, citing also the economic
contributions made by the steel pan to
the nation.
Yuille-Williams reminded the guests
about the history of the steel pan following
the abolition of chattel slavery and the
Camboulay riots that preceded the
outlawing of stick fighting and banning
of African drumming, which opened the
way for the conception of the steel pan.
The surviving members of TASPO present
to receive their awards were Sterling
Betancourt who resides in England and
Anthony Williams. Ellie Mannette who
lives in the United States was unable to
attend. Posthumous tribute was paid to
Sydney Gallop. Also honoured on the night
was Oscar “Bogart” Pile. Pan is not just
an artistic innovation; it is a deliberate
invasion of an area of artistic activity.
By PAPARAZZI
45
●●●
band PROFILE● ● ●
band PROFILE
Csi at the Emmas
CSI PERFORMS AT EMMAS FESTIVAL IN OLBIA, SARDINIA
The Caribbean Steel International Orchestra was invited to perform at the Ethnic Meeting of
Music and Arts (EMMAS) in Olbia, Sardinia during the weekend of the 29th- 31st December 2006.
Harlow
A steelband for young people...
THAT IS GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH!
H
O
lbia is situated in northeastern
Sardinia and means a “happy town”
(città felice). In the 60’s, Olbia underwent
a real demographical boom and extensive
tourism development of the area.
Nowadays, the city’s population is over
50,000 and extends over a surface bigger
than the city of Sassari - the capital of
the province. This expansion has been
achieved thanks partially to Olbia’s
harbour, which has become the most
important port for passengers in Italy,
and partially because of its international
airport. Olbia is not only a destination for
vacationers passing through the Costa
Smeralda (Emerald Coast); it has become
a true tourist location able to satisfy even
the needs of the most demanding.
46
2006 marked the 17th anniversary of
EMMAS with CSI being the first steel
band to appear at this world music
forum. Artistes from USA, Brazil,
London, Italy, Croatia, Austria, Germany,
Belgium, Czech Republic, Romania,
France, Portugal, Senegal, Spain and
Bulgaria have performed at this festival.
The cultural diversity was unified by the
common denominator, music. When the
Festival started in 1989 it was dedicated
to jazz but this changed in 1995 when all
genres of music were included.
On the evening of the 29th, CSI performed
at the town’s popular medieval themed
Cat & Fox Restaurant and Pub to a
packed audience who were mesmerised
by the sweet sounds of steel. Members
of the audience were seen checking
the pans to establish where the sounds
were coming from. CSI’s wide repertoire
ensured that everyone was fully
entertained. Their final performance
was in the concert hall of the Olbia
Costa Smeralda airport. They wooed
the audience with their pulsating
and popular tracks which had them
clapping along to the varied repertoire.
The organisers of EMMAS have shown
positive interest in seeing CSI perform at
their 2007 summer and EMMAS festivals.
Once again, the steel pan instrument has
travelled and conquered another part of
the world with its sweet and captivating
sounds.
arlow steelband was
established as a
community organisation in
June 2003, with the support
of the Harlow Council and
free weekly classes for
adults and young people
began in January 2004 at
a local school. The band
was set up with the help of
the Ebony Steelband, who
played a gig at the Harlow
Playhouse in the summer
of 2003, which got the ball
rolling. Ebony still supports
the band by providing their
tutor, Samuel Dubois.
Within a short space of time the
band has transformed from a drop-in
activity for adults and young people
to a practicing band for 9 -21 year
olds that are committed to rehearsals
and performances. At present, their
membership is around fifteen with many
of their players with the band since its
inception. After various moves, they are
now based at the Sumners Recreation
Centre in Harlow, Essex.
Samuel has been the band’s tutor for
just over two years and is instrumental in
their development. He takes rehearsals
on Monday evenings and plays with the
band at events, predominately in the local
area, throughout the year. Performances
include an annual concert at Harlow’s
Black History Showcase, the Essex Youth
Games in Southend, the local Town
Show, the Harlow Summer Carnival
and numerous other community events.
They were filmed for BBC Look East and
2007 performance requests are already
coming in.
Their founding objectives are that all
its activities should be completely free
to all young people and that the band
should welcome a diverse mix of young
people. These principles still apply and
form the basis of the band’s development.
The band is promoted to young people
through continued activities in the local
community and they have a steady stream
of new members attending their sessions.
Their aspiration for the future is to be
bigger and better. They will be purchasing
more pans, thanks to the funding received
from the Essex Youth Service, allowing
them to expand their membership. They
hope to get involved in more national
events and recently became a member of
the British Association of Steelbands.
by Kelly
Lean
To find out more go to:
www.harlowsteelband.co.uk
Email: [email protected] or
[email protected]
47
●●●
special FEATURE● ● ●
event PROFILE
Jazz Festival
Pan in EDUCATION
T&T STEEL PAN AND JAZZ FESTIVAL
Pan in Education is the first in a series of unique, innovative and effective cultural products.
PIE is the work of Mark Loquan, established composer.
steelbands, schools,
universities, pannists and
those scoring and proofediting the arrangements.
PIE was conceived from a
strong view that Trinidad
and Tobago’s local
music be documented
as a computerised
learning tool, creating
opportunities outside the
Panorama/competition
arena for development
and enhancement of
the industry. It also
complements the current
drive for pan on the
national curriculum and
the improvement of music
literacy levels using local
musical arrangements.
On an invitation from the Queens Royal College Foundation, a charitable trust established in
August 1995 to raise funds for QRC, I appeared as a guest speaker at their Symposium for
Steelband Leaders and Managers,
“Accessing the Global Steelpan Market”,
was held on the 26th October 2006
at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Port of
Spain, Trinidad. The workshop was
very interesting and I spoke on the way
steelbands in Europe managed touring
including transportation of equipment
and musicians, airlines, hotels and
performances to varied audiences.
It was a very worthwhile conference,
which saw a wealth of experience shared
with all who attended. Mr. David Bereaux
of the Copyright Music Organisation of
Trinidad and Tobago, COTT, spoke about
the consequences pertaining to royalties
for music played by steel bands. This
is something that steel band leaders
should be looking into when playing other
people’s music as it could prove to be
quite costly. This was a learning process
for the majority of us.
On Friday 27th, the festival moved to the
Exodus steel orchestra’s pan theatre
where Exobrass, the brass music arm of
Exodus was launched. Jeremy Ledbetter
& Cane Fire, Alexis Baro, KV Charles
and the Los Alumnos de San Juan also
performed.
Saturday 28th saw the ‘Giants of Steel’
concert at the Jean Pierre complex where
Andy Narell & Sakésho, Liam Teague &
Panoramic, Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe who
was celebrating his fifty third birthday,
supported by a host of international
musicians and the Giant Steel & Brass
Orchestra featuring Phase II Steel
Orchestra and the Trinidad & Tobago
Police Band performedww.
The highlight of the evening was the Giant
Steel & Brass Orchestra playing music
arranged by Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe, a
scintillating performance to bring to an
end to another memorable T &T Steelpan
and Jazz Festival.
by: Pepe
Francis
The Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of
Education and the bpTT Coporation
support this undertaking. Their
investment will allow funds to be
channelled into a programme of
international marketing, advertising,
project promotion and reduce the risk
of losses due to piracy. PIE is geared
specifically for secondary and tertiary
levels. Involving a wide cross section of
the music community, from arrangers,
Pat Bishop describes it as a single,
convenient and attractive package
that contains invaluable interpretive
and performance notes with advice to
teachers that could help enliven music
lessons and integrate music into the
wider curriculum. Augustus ‘Junior’
Howell, Ministry of Education, Curriculum
Officer for Music acknowledges that
PIE provides the opportunity to a wide
cross section of music enthusiasts to
experience steelpan music and display
their talents on the national instrument.
Sat Sharma, lecturer in musical arts at
the University of the West Indies states
that this body of work exhibited by Mark
Loquan, the arrangers, steelbands and
transcribers makes a valuable resource
for steelband repertoire and is an added
bonus as a learning tool for students of
steelband arranging. PIE’s recording
producer is Sanch Electronix Ltd.
An interesting double CD aimed primarily
at those wishing to implement steel
pan music in schools. CD one contains
thirteen compositions by Mark Loquan
comprising a variety of styles from the
breezy “Another Time Another Place”
to the laid back, ‘J’ouvert Morning’, this
CD fits its purpose. However, it’s CD
two that’s the real gem of this piece.
From examples of Caribbean rhythms
to profiles of bands, and arrangers to
musical scores, to name just a few, it is
a veritable treasure trove of information
for anyone intending to study or teach
the steel pan art form. As an educational
resource, this package is an invaluable
tool for all you steel pan tutors out
there! A great product that addresses
the musical needs in this era of
computerisation.
UK PAN TUNERS Association
BECOME PART OF A GLOBAL NETWORK, SHARING GOOD
PRACTICES AND DEVELOPING WORKSHOPS?
CONTACT
DUDLEY DICKSON: 0788598884
OR TOUSSAINT CLARKE: 07760238135
48
49
●●●
upcoming EVENTS
Subscription Form
The British Association of Steelbands
Name
Organisation
Address
Postcode
Telephone
Email
UK £3.00 - Overseas £5.00
I enclose a cheque/postal order for the sum of £
made payable to BAS.
Annual Subscription:
Please send this form to: British Association of Steelbands, The Tabernacle, Powis Square, London W11 2AV
50