We were entertained by Pan 24/7 last night at The Amphitheatre in St. James, Trinidad. I use the team 24/7, because the only music that was played were from the National Instument of Trinidad and Tobago. Selections from varied Steel Orchestras were the piped entertainment while the audience began seating. After each band's performance and the interim of another band's set up, music eminated from the St. James Tripolians Single Pan band. This pan event was well supported and commenced promptly at 8.00 pm., and of course, pans were used in the playing of our National Anthem.
The four Steel Orchestras that performed were unique. (1) St. James Tripolians, maybe the oldest Traditional Orchestra to have an impact in the early seventies. (2) The Trinidad and Tobago Chinese Steel Ensemble is the first of its ethnicity. (3) Silver Stars have made the biggest impact since 2008. And (4) Desperadoes holds 99% of all "pan firsts" and is the only one that has won every entered competition.
St. James Tripolians of 20 members kicked off the show with their reperatoire. Next was the Trinidad and Tobago Chinese Steel Ensemble of 18 members, where 14 of them ranged from 9 years to mid teens. There renditions were of an oriental flavour. What I mean is that I was not familiar with their non-calypso pieces, but you can tell that the arranger is trained in oriental music. They wowed the audience with a medley of 6 calypsoes. In my opinion, if they had ended their session with that medley, they would have brought the house down. (lol)
Next up was Silver Stars with 35 members, and you know how energitic they are.
20 pannist of Desperadoes closed the show to a, by then, sparse audience. Their performance was subdued.
The music of the National Instrument of Trinidad and Tobago should be played by the PA system whenever there is a "pan event".
I suggested this same approach to the Large Steel Orchestra that did not qualify for the panorama finals this year. However, they did not have my vision.
Love, Peace and Pan
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What I'd really like to see is a wok-pan. A wok with the forths and fifths design, played with specially-designed chopsticks. After preparing Chinese food, you can then play "Doh axe meh tuh wok for Carnival" on the wok-pan for your satisfied guests. (Marketing, marketing...that's where I belong. Among other places...)
Okay, that's my sense of humor/humour. Seriously, it is great to see an all "Chinese" group, for pan certainly has come a long way from the all African group, where it all began. It's also nice to see others having no issues to references to "race", and equally pleasing to see no one being called a "racist" for having group made up of one "race". I'll leave it at that; knowing that, in all actuality, you all see and know that people of African descent are held to different standards, and are referred to by color/colour, and not by "Motherland", as in the case of other "Trinbagonians". Shem Em Hotep.
GHOST - Who Honors ALL "Ethnic" communities of Trinidad & Tobago. Including...MY OWN!!!
the chinese ensemble was the most entertaining of the night
There are no Chinese or African or Indian; they were Trinbagonians? Why stress the "chinese"? lol. just kidding to make the point of the double-stands on this site. When I refer to Africans, all hell breaks loose. We ALL know why...
GHOST - Who Would Like To Put Together an African Ensemble, like the "Dream Team": Tello, Boogsie, Robbie, Prof, Andy Phillips, Foster, Bellies, Prim(o), Iman, Freddie, and the Codrington family. Oops; I forgot, in their case, they're not African. They're Trinbagonian!!! Have a great day, ladies! Shem Em Hotep (May you go in peace).
Silver Stars was dynamic, but the Chinese stole the show. I did not know the Chinese had there own Steel Orchestra, it seems that it was the first time most of the people there had seen or heard them perform, very professional, nice sounding and well tuned pans. Nice selections and a very nice calypso medley, they recieved the most applause of the night.
i agree i enjoy them
Ian, thanks for keeping us informed of Pan Events at home. If I could of, I would have been there last night. I hope some one recorded the event. The Bomb competition will be on tomorrow in Brooklyn. Looking forward to an afternoon of Pan and more Pan. Your ideas are always in keeping with moving the culture of Pan forward, however maybe what is needed are persons willing to step up to the plate and remove the ones with no vision. Only saying...peace :)
Ha! Ha! Thanks Ann. Channel 4 recorded the event. I do not know when it will air, but I will call them next week. I hope that you record tomorrow's activities. (lol) I sent up some copies of my book to Joseph Franklyn Gerald. If you do not know who he is please advise. You only saying peace, I thought you love pan. (lol)
Thanks for this posting, Ian. We are grateful to the organizers of We Beat 2012 for including us in their Pan Explosion lineup. We felt truly humbled having to play alongside the big guns, but I think we gave a good account of ourselves.
Some of the tunes we played last night are on Youtube, just look for T & T Chinese Steel Ensemble.
Peace and love to the entire steelband fraternity.
Ken Chang On
President
T&T Chinese Steel Ensemble
Thanks Mr. Kenneth Chang On,
Yes! we need peace amongst all pan factions. As I said in my book, I am a panman, not a bandman. The average pan lover mantra is "I am only here because my band is here."
Your organization is on the 21st Century track. A pannist should also be a musician. Music Sheets must become mainstream.
I met a female from your Steel Orchestra last night by the name of Lori, and told her that I was going to post an article on the net. I would like to meet you at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Ian Franklin
Lori and her 2 children, Josh and Jessi (the 9 year old), all play in our band. Please email me at ken.changon@gmail.com and we can arrange to meet soon. If you plan to be in Tobago next weekend, we shall be playing at the THA Dragon Boat Festival at Pigeon Point on Sunday June 17.
Kindest regards,
Ken Chang On
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