GoMemphis.com
Tennessee, USA - The Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago is far away—geographically and culturally—from Iowa or Tennessee, for that matter.
Nevertheless, Hawkeye State native Tony Hartman has embraced the islands, making the steelpan, a unique and distinct part of Trinidad and Tobago's musical heritage, the centerpiece of his Nashville-based jazz-funk fusion band The Great Barrier Reefs.
"We're just trying to take the pan to new places, not only in terms of new venues but in terms of sharing the sound with new people," says Hartman, whose group also includes saxophonist Josh Dunlap, guitarist Rheal Janelle, drummer Matt Heller, and Memphis-born bassist Taylor Lonardo. The band performs at the Hi-Tone Café Saturday with local jam band Agori Tribe and psychedelic electronica group The Apollo! Project.
"One of the biggest comments I get when we're out and about with this group is, "Man I've never seen that before. I've never heard that before.'"
"People will crack jokes like, 'What, are y'all going to make some stir-fry in this thing?'
read more
Replies