A Celebration of Women in Pan Women’s Month

[When Steel Talks]

March is the month that has been dedicated to the celebration of women globally. And in this regard, When Steel Talks revisits our annual celebration of “Women in Pan” all over the world. This year we will not only focus on the women behind the instrument, but also those women who silently, but quite strongly are the glue that keeps the steelpan fraternity together and alive. Angela Fox of Pan Trinbago and Barbara Mason, Steel Band Coordinator in the Cultural Development Division in Antigua and Barbuda are just two such women who silently behind the scenes, contribute mightily to the forward motion of the art form. When Steel Talks salutes all the steelpan-related women for always being there and in appreciation of your efforts.

When Steel Talks

[Pan Times]

When Steel Talks’ Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Pat Bishop
A Person In Pan

I can’t say that gender has been a factor in my pan yard activities – which now span so long a period of time that I’ve forgotten when it all started!

I remember once singing with Esso Tripoli steelband and abandoning solo singing soon afterwards in preference for pan arranging. In those days I worked feverishly to find out what the instrument could do and I lived with the pans of Birdsong in my house for a very long time.

They were very kind and they soon let me arrange for them, starting with simple hymn tunes. And so too did many, many more bands.

The Classical Festival was to become the event for which my major work was done, but I also started to drill and clean up Panorama arrangements and do critical pan commentary for Radio Trinidad. I continue to do these jobs today.

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[John Henry]

great idea to honour and remember the female icons and founders in the business of pan.

The names Hazel Henley and Cicley ??? come to mind as founding members of the first all female steel band in Trinidad & Tobago - Girl Pat Steel Band.

Hats off to them.

[Allison Sarjeant]

Hats off to these great sisters.
As a teacher, I want to celebrate the efforts of sister Denise Hernandez too.
Long live pan and the sisters who understand why it must continually grow.

[Pan Times]

When Steel Talks’ Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

WOMAN IN PAN
Mark E. Loquan


VERSE
One could say women contribute literacy
To the whole evolution in pan
Like the case of our women conductors
And adjudicators, dey continue to set our standards
Pan arrangers, music teachers...........woman in pan

VERSE
One could trace back from Girl Pat Steel Orchestra
Henley teach dem de "Tennessee Waltz"
Playing soft in a house down in Newtown
With pan mauvais langue,
dey still earned a good reputation
Tour Guyana, then Jamaica...........woman in Pan

LONG CHORUS
Ah want to say, play woman play
Ya help us to reach here today
And we all recognize,
there's so much we all need to strive...for
Yeh woman we want more
Yeh woman, show we more
Aah woman, play some more

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[Kim Johnson]

I am trying to locate some of the early women pan pioneers and would appreciate it if anyone could help me find Gemma Worrell (Desperadoes), Norma Callendar (Hill 60), Heloise Steele (Westside Symphony) and Christine Law (Wonderland). Kim Johnson

[Jeannine Remy]

Kim do you mean?
Gertrude Steele-Garcia?

A Student of mine (Vanessa Headley) did an interview with her last year and a copy of it is in the West Indiana Collection on the second floor of the Main Library at UWI.

In fact, here is a list of all of the women in steel that my class interviewed as their assignment in my steelpan history class semester II of 2008. They are complete with photos, CD of interview, and a bio/research paper.
Kathleen Helenese-Paul is the Head Librarian in charge on the 2nd Floor.

INTERVIEWEE INTERVIEWER
Merle Albino-de Coteau Gwynneth McEachrane
Elvira Baptiste Kizzy Joseph
Solange Baptiste Harripersad Maharaj
Maureen Clement Sophia Jemmott
Lorna Conyette Farley Joseph Jr.
Lorna Conyette Richarde Bereaux
Barbara Crichlow-Shaw Daynel Kyshon Frith
Michelle Flemming Junior Taylor
Loraine Granderson Kesica Brewster
Franka Hills-Headley Cherysh LaTouche
Michelle Huggins-Watts David Jacob
Norma Kelman Carleen Elcock
Dr. Anne M. Osborne Danielle Ryan
Marcella MarFan Shleah Edwards-Clarke
Daisy James McClean Pete Braxton
Jacque McKell Tinika Davis
Joy-Ann Moseley Melissa Jimenez
Marjorie Moseley Abigail Joseph
Stacy Pierre Devon James
Jamila Jozanne Romany Andre Frederick
Sherry-Ann Saunders Koreece Graham
Sherry-Ann Saunders Valene Lewis
Gertrude Steele-Garcia Vanessa Headley
Ursula Theodore Shirl Frederick
Nubia Williams Psyche Greenidge
Nubia Williams Dike Samai
Jean Bacchus Xavier James Radix

[GospelPan]

Dr. Remy,

today, I realized I had seen your name somewhere before and I said to myself..."nah, can't be". Then when I took a look at the cover text for Ray's album, "Changing Time" I realized that I'm not such and old dog after all.

You were the transcriber for the songs on the CD, including the Panorama arrangements if I am right. I took a good look at those scores and they are professional to the "T", if only folks understood just how much work goes into transcribing a Panorama tune...it's weeks of painstaking work to get every note, expression and articulation right.

Did you also transcribe some of Jit's works as well, for "Jit Samaroo Original Notes" ?

[Jeannine Remy]

Satanand Sharma did Jit's music. He teaches at UWI with me.
I did Ray's Changing Time...you were correct.

[GospelPan]

It would be really nice if there was an effort to preserve Clive Bradley's music by transcribing his arrangements, it is what he wanted. Thankfully, some of Ray's music, Jit's music and Boogsie's music is available on score and will outlive them...but what about Bradley?

If only we can put politics aside to preserve history and keep one's memory alive.

[Kim Johnson]

Thanks Jennine. I'll go check them out. Otherwise, how are you? We must meet soon. Kim

[Andrea Brown-Collins]

This is wonderful. Women should be celebrated for many reasons. Women in Pan represent strong, intelligent and free women. I would like to ask the community to also remember our less fortunate counterparts all over the world. Speak out against abuse and oppression and discrimination of women - the strength behind men!

[Pan Times]

When Steel Talks’ Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Women's Contribution to the
Steelband Movement
by Merle Albino-de Coteau

Trinidad - In the 1940's, during our childhood we were fortunate to hear and appreciate in our neighbourhood a beautiful musical sound produced by a small pan played by Carl Greenidge (uncle of the now renowned pannist/arranger Robert Greenidge). Carl Greenidge can be referred to as the "Father" of pan players in S uccess Village, Laventille, having first started "Kentuckians Steel Orchestra." "Torrid Zone" was an off-shoot of Kentuckians which was later renamed "Savoys" (later sponsored by Chase Manhattan therefore becoming "Chase Manhattan Savoys" of which Merle Albino-Coteau became the musical director in 1970).

Since then there has been no turning back, as I became "hooked" on this phenomenal instrument "the pan." Hence whenever the opportunity presents itself, I try to preach the "Gospel of Pan."

While several "histories" have been written about the role of the Pan man, very little, if any, is written about the contributions of women to the steelband movement. It is hoped that this presentation will help clarify any misconceptions that might have accrued over the years. I hope to help enlighten pan lovers such as yourselves as to what the facts really are.

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