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Breaking Global Steelpan News


Web Posted - Monday May 31, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

ʽAnd Great Showers of Tears Came Down′

by steelpan historian and award-winning filmmaker Dalton Narine

Dalton Narine

Global - This film "And Great Showers of Tears Came Down," by Dalton Narine, underscores themes about spirituality, suffering and fate, as a Marine's tough slog in Vietnam attests to horrific experiences, including the wipeout of his company.


Web Posted - Sunday May 30, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

Panorama Skills on the Home Front? NO, MEMORIAL DAY 2020

by Panist and Vietnam veteran Dalton Narine

Global - On the battlefield, we played a game of survival, young uninformed Trini-American soldiers.

....I pay respect to all who served and still serve, just as I do with PAN orchestras and the genius of arrangers. We were warriors once and young, in serious danger at death’s door. Memorial Day is an occasion to decorate the graves of our war dead... - Dalton Narine




Web Posted - Friday May 28, 2021
When Steel Talks

RIP - Administrator and founder - Claudette Baptiste of Women in Steel has passed

Candle gif

Global - When Steel Talks extends condolences to the family and friends of  Claudette Baptiste - founder of Women in  Steel Orchestra.

Claudette Baptiste
Claudette Baptiste

Web Posted - Tuesday May 25, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

Remembering the late great legendary Lennox “Bobby” Mohammed - RIP

Lennox ‘Bobby’ Mohammed
Lennox “Bobby” Mohammed

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Bobby Mohammed was the consummate gentleman. Thoughtful, humble, courteous, spiritual, disarming, likeable and extremely thankful for all that he has accomplished, and has been through in his association with the steelpan instrument. In 1992 he was one of several people to receive one of his country's national awards, the Humming Bird Medal Gold.

In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks (WST) champion steel orchestra panorama arranger Lennox “Bobby” Mohammed shares his memories and thoughts of Pan in that golden era, and the steelpan music moments of today...


Web Posted - Tuesday May 25, 2021
When Steel Talks

RIP - Panist & Champion arranger Lennox “Bobby” Mohamed (Mohammed) of Cavaliers Steel Orchestra has passed

Candle gif

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Remembering, in pictures, the late panist and champion arranger Lennox “Bobby” Mohamed (Mohammed) of Cavaliers Steel Orchestra. When Steel Talks extends our deepest condolences to his family and friends. “Bobby” Mohammed passed on May 25, 2021.

Lennox “Bobby” Mohammed - Cavaliers
Lennox “Bobby” Mohamed (Mohammed)

Web Posted - Sunday May 23, 2021
cbs8.com

Southwest’s Island Steel Drum Band to perform final concert after 22 years

The steel drum band program is being cut

The Southwest Island Steel Drum Band

San Diego, California, USA - The Island Steel Drum Band comprised of students from Southwest Middle School and Southwest High School in South Bay San Diego will perform together for the last time Monday [May 24].  After 22 years, the steel drum band program is being cut, according to band director Keith Ballard.

Ballard said in a press release that neither he nor students or parents were spoken to about the decision to cut the program for the upcoming school year.

“Mr. Ballard only found out when a tiny spreadsheet was emailed to him last week with his classes for the 2021-22 school year, and the steel drum band class did not appear,” the press release read in part. “The music class was deemed expendable.”
 




Web Posted - Saturday May 22, 2021
When Steel Talks

PanoGrama 2021 Final Results - Keishaun Julien Triumphs in Steelpan Competition

Keishaun Julien -  PanoGrama finals 2021

Global - After three rounds of intense competition over several weeks, displaying scintillating, sometimes creative performances - Trinidad & Tobago′s own Keishaun Julien vanquished his nine musical contenders on this May 22 PanoGrama 2021 final night.

....Utilizing a tenor instrument minted by the legendary Bertram “Birch” Kelman and tuned by the illustrious Augustus Peters - in the role of a musical meteorologist, Keishaun delivered a forecast that proved accurate.


Web Posted - Friday May 21, 2021
When Steel Talks

“Firestorm” - Marsicans Steel Orchestra

Arranger:  Pelham Goddard

Marsicans Steel Orchestra at their panyard during the recording

Brooklyn, New York, USA - Basement Recordings captures Marsicans Steel Orchestra as they prepare for the 2002 New York steelband Panorama competition on the night before that event. Marsicans performed a Pelham Goddard-arrangement of DeFosto′s “Firestorm.” 

Marsicans Steel Orchestra would go on to place second in that year′s competition.


Web Posted - Friday May 21, 2021
When Steel Talks

“Dead Or Alive” - New York Marsicans Steel Orchestra

Arranger:  Pelham Goddard

New York Marsicans Steel Orchestra at their panyard during the recording

Brooklyn, New York, USA - Basement Recordings captures Marsicans Steel Orchestra as they prepare for the 2005 New York steelband Panorama competition on the Wednesday before that September 3rd event.

Marsicans Steel Orchestra performed a Pelham Goddard-arrangement of Shurrwayne Winchester′s “Dead Or Alive.” Marsicans Steel Orchestra is led by Joey Horsford and Albert “Bing” Reid.


Web Posted - Friday May 21, 2021
When Steel Talks

RIP - Panist & Administrator Joey Horsford of Silhouettes, Pan Rebels & NY Marsicans Steel Orchestra has passed

Global - When Steel Talks extends condolences to the family and friends of  Joey Horsford of Silhouettes and NY Marsicans Steel Orchestra.

Joey Horsford
Joey Horsford

Web Posted - Tuesday May 18, 2021
When Steel Talks

PanoGrama 2021 Final - Order of Appearance

PanoGrama 2021 - Final Order of Appearance

Global - The ten panists who made the cut for the final round of PanoGrama 2021 on Saturday May 22, now have their appearance order revealed. Event producer and host Nevin Roach unveiled the playing positions live on Facebook on May 18.




Web Posted - Saturday May 15, 2021
When Steel Talks

PanoGrama 2021 Semi-final Virtual Steelpan Performances Raise The Roof

Global - The NLCB PanoGrama international steelpan competition, which kicked off on May 7 with 30 panists from around the world, is now down to 10. This comes after 20 creative and talented panists showcased their musical prowess through nail-biting performances during the semi-final, which was held on May 13.

Fans and newcomers who tuned in to the show were treated to a presentation of amazing talent, pomp and pageantry. The 20 semi-finalists pulled out all the stops to ensure that viewers were left on the edge of their seats after each performance, whilst being cheered on by fans, music enthusiasts and their fellow countrymen. The panel of esteemed adjudicators was in a non-enviable position during the semi-final as they made their selections.


Web Posted - Friday May 14, 2021
When Steel Talks

PanoGrama 2021 Semi-final Results - Top 10 Move On To Finals

Panograma Semi Finals Results

Global - And then there were ten. There could be only ten of the twenty steelpan semi-finalists making it through to the May 22 final night of the 2021 PanoGrama.

Five judges - Liam Teague, Ojay Richards, Andy Chichester, David ZigE Walcott and Victor Provost - deliberated over the participants' respective presentations, with the successful panists returning for the finals on May 22.


Web Posted - Wednesday May 12, 2021
When Steel Talks

International Pan Ramajay Postponed for Two Months

International Pan Ramajay Postponed for Two Months

Global - Out of an abundance of caution the Republic Bank Exodus postpones the 2021 International Pan Ramajay for an initial period of two months. In the mean while - Let Us All Be Safe...


Web Posted - Monday May 10, 2021
When Steel Talks

PanoGrama 2021 Prelims Results - Top 20 Move On To Semis

Earl Brooks, Jr - defending PanoGrama champion - 2021 Prelims
 

Global - The top twenty of the thirty panists who competed in the PanoGrama 2021 Preliminaries are on the move - to the semi-final phase of this year's event. Over three nights, May 7, 8 and 9, the musicians, ten at a time, had their performances broadcast online via Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. Each segment was hosted by event organizer Nevin Roach with co-host Aundrea Wharton.

Five judges - Liam Teague, Ojay Richards, Andy Chichester, David ZigE Walcott and Victor Provost - deliberated over the participants' respective presentations, with the successful set returning for the semis come May 13.


Web Posted - Sunday May 9, 2021
When Steel Talks

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Steelpan & Steelband Music Moms

Global - Big up to all the Pan Moms on this Mother′s Day!


Web Posted - Sunday May 9, 2021
When Steel Talks Reboot - Feel the Music - Live the Experience

Pantonic Steel Orchestra - “How Great Thou Art” | Keith Roberts - Arranger

Pantonic Steel Orchestra

Brooklyn, New York, USA - Pantonic Steel Orchestra’s performance of “How Great Thou Art” at the Gospelypso 2010 concert.




Web Posted - Friday May 7, 2021
When Steel Talks

PanoGrama 2021 Gets Underway - Night One

PanoGrama 2021 Preliminaries - Night 1

Global - The 2021 edition of the PanoGrama competition kicked off on the evening of May 7. And yes, the producers of this virtual show have upped their game considerably. The event's organizers provided a live stream production that was simultaneously broadcast on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. WST (When Steel Talks) monitored the show on both Facebook and YouTube.


Web Posted - Thursday May 6, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

Flamingoes Steel Orchestra

A look at the once-renowned orchestra - yesterday, today and tomorrow

by Salah Wilson

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  The inception of Flamingoes Steelband from St John Village in St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago began in 1957 with founder Bob Theroulde, uncle of Salah Wilson. From the beginning, the concept was a community-based organization. It was the pride of the village in its heyday, which stretched from the early sixties to the late seventies; it was nationally regarded as one of the best recording and dance bands in the country and a strong contender in the Panorama and other competitions, being sponsored by Lever Brothers under the evolved name of Lever Brothers ‘Gay’ Flamingoes.

Members:

  • Anthony Cedeno, Anthony Rose , Anthony Wilson, Antonio Nieves, Charles Cottle, Claude Salina, Don Wilson, Earl Ross, Eddie Amour, Edmund Dolabaille, Euramus Hernandez, Gary Lewis, Geo. Jobe, George Salina Jnr., Herbert Friffith, Jaggernauth Ramdass, James Hernandez, Jerome Logan, Jim Phillip, Marshall Blackburn, Mervyn Theroulde, Michael De Garzon, Mickey O'Neil, Mike Cumberbatch, Neil Ballon, Patrick Keizer, Patrick Wilson, Peter Theroulde, Philip Hinkson, Reece Albert, Richard Cupid, Robert Timothy, Roland James, Roy Matthews, Russel DeSouza, Stephen Pierre, Stethen Matthews, Tex Salina, Tony Melville, Tyrell Marcell, Vincent Thomas, Willis Robau, Wyncliffe Neverson

Web Posted - Thursday May 6, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

Esther Batson - Trinidad & Tobago

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Esther Batson
Mrs. Esther Batson

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Responsible for the mentoring and development of several of the country’s noted steelpan talents, it was Mrs. Esther Batson’s initiative of cultural exchanges which eventually resulted in the steelband program at the University of Miami. Listen to Mrs. Esther Batson - along with her daughter Dr. Dawn Batson, and Mrs. Merle Albino-de Coteau, in this exclusive interview with When Steel Talks.


Web Posted - Wednesday May 5, 2021
When Steel Talks

PanoGrama 2021 Prelims - Order of Appearance and Tune Selections

Global - Thirty participants from several countries are competing in the PanoGrama 2021 preliminaries. They appear over a three-night period beginning May 7 and ending May 9. Defending champion Earl Brooks, Jr who triumphed in the inaugural PanoGrama in 2020, performs in position thirty on May 9.  Following are the Order of Appearance, and Tune Selections.


Web Posted - Wednesday May 5, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

Meet Patrice Charles of Trinidad and Tobago  

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Patrice Charles

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “Steelpan for me is more than just music and notes, it somehow speaks to you in a language of its own that just drives you to tap your feet, to dance and to even sing...”

There are no limits for the Pan woman. She walks the walk. In an exclusive with When Steel Talks, Patrice Charles peaks of the potential for opportunity and her love for Pan and community.


Web Posted - Monday May 3, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

Meet Shareen Gray - England, UK

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Shareen Gray

England, UK - In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Shareen Gray, president of Steel Pan Agency, shares her commitment to the forward progress and passion for the steelpan art form & culture as a promoter, player, entrepreneur, and educator.


Web Posted - Sunday May 2, 2021
When Steel Talks Reboot - Feel the Music - Live the Experience

Sesame Flyers Steel Orchestra - “Where E’er You Walk” | Kareem Thompson - Arranger

Sesame Flyers Steel Orchestra

Brooklyn, New York, USA - Sesame Steel Orchestra’s performance of “Where E’er You Walk” at the Gospelypso 2010 concert.


Web Posted - Saturday May 1, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot

Meet Justyne Simon - Brooklyn, New York

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Meet Justyne Simon

Brooklyn, New York - To say that she ‘loves’ Pan would be an understatement. It is in fact, fulfillment; it completes her. With a primary concern for the state of Pan In New York, she is all about the art form. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - passionate panist and performing artist Justyne Simon shares her reflections, experiences and views on Pan, and the steelpan art form overall.




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