Global: The Trinidad and Tobago large band Panorama category is the most prestigious (rightfully so), respected, and accomplished steel orchestra assemblage in all the world. Their panorama music masterpieces are nothing short of remarkable; moreover these music creations can rival any music works from any genre, and any time period. Indeed, and as legendary jazz drummer Max Roach told When Steel Talks after experiencing the event first-hand - “Panorama belongs on a world stage.”

This year, 2013, marks 50 years of music excellence generated from the phenomenon known as “Panorama.” Contributing in no small part to its success, is what has now become known as the “Big Five.”  These five steel orchestras have demonstrated a success rate and musical dominance over the event which only bolster the folklore and historic tales associated with these fabled organizations.

So are they that good? Is it myth, perception or reality? The ‘Big Five’ are Exodus, Trinidad All Stars, Phase II, Renegades and Desperadoes.

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  •  Big Five should use their energy and status in the pan community and inject that into Pan Trinbago.

  • Glenroy Joseph, you have pushed the right button.

  • exodus?

  • Just some historical accomplishments from 1952 to 1968. (1) Boys Town won the first Music Festival in 1952, Dudley Smith was the winning soloist (2) 1960! Mr. Ray Holman composed "Ray's Saga" which can be heard by Invaders today (3) 1962! Dixieland is the first to visit the African Continent (4) North Stars/Mr. Anthony Williams first to perform at a well known NYC television show, and first to win 2 Panoramas and 2 Music Festivals (5) 1964! Mr. Ray Holman won the soloist category and went on to be the first hold victories as a classical soloist and later as an arranger  (6) 1964! Westside Symphony/Mr. Herman Rock first to win a Music Festival a year after its conception. (7) 1965! Desperadoes/ Mr. Beverly Griffith first to perform and win with the most difficult classical piece at the time, "The Marriage of Figaro."  30 odd years later, All Stars recorded this same piece, so you all should take a listen and hear the degree of difficulty (8) 1965! Cavaliers/Mr. Lennox Mohamed first from South to defeat the North and "Bobby" at 22 years is still the youngest to arrange a Panorama winner and also 2 panoramas. (9) 1966! Desperadoes the first to visit a "Free African Nation," Senegal. {Dixieland went to Apartheid-Rhodesia} (10) 1967! Lennox Mohamed's composition qualified Cavaliers for a Music Festival. (Mr. Edgar "JR" Pouchet's composition did not make finals in 1966)                          (11) 1968! Mr. Cordell "Spongy" Barbour became the first and only pannist to win the soloist category and also perform with the winning Steel Orchestra, All Stars. As I stated prior these are some, not all that was significant in those years.

  • It really boils down to the three S's: Stageside, Sponsorship, and Stability.

    - An active Stageside creates a solid core for the panorama season, keeps the band relevant and making money throughout the year, and brings a stronger sense of team and cameraderie that cannot be accomplished by throwing together a seasonal side and fleshing it out by bringing in hustlers once a year;

    -Sponsorship seems obvious but it is indispensible today when It is more than just pans and arrangers and tuners that need to be paid for but also contract players and superlative stage presentation just to stay competitive;

    -A stable management is key in a band's success. If management isn't happening, the band will go nowhere. Simple as that.
  • Pan Times, or (WST) can you please post the interview with Max Roach stating that "Panorama belongs on a world stage". ( or send to my email     sal_wils@hotmail.com    

    This is important information that I would like to have for a research project that is due in two weeks

    so THIS IS AN URGENT REQUEST ...THANKS

    Salah

    • Max Roach Remembered http://ning.it/13FACD1

      • Thanks Pan Times

        much appreciated, we do need more people of the calibre of Max Roach speaking out so positively for the Pan ...Much Appreciated Max... R.I.P.

        Salah

    • No problem

  • While I greatly appreciate this article for recognizing the Big Five and I believe that we are getting closer to the music world recognizing pan music as a serious catergory around the world, I find that I must vent a little.  It has been a difficult road to travel for most of the people involved in the pan movement in T&T.  Hard work, long hours, not enough financing and denigration by other members of society became of a way of life for the pioneers of pan.  I find it shameful that Panorama's 50th anniversary has been completely overlooked in terms of a global celebration.  One would have thought that Pantrinbago would have produced an event worthy of the accomplishments of all steelbands in T&T to honour the 50th anniversary of Panorama.  The Big Five, all the other steelbands' players, all the innovative arrangers, drill masters, tuners, inventors, song writers and others involved  who have worked so hard over the last fifty years should have been recognized as organizations and citizens who have done a great deal to put Trinidad & Tobago on the world stage when it comes to the development and progress of the ONLY instrument invented in the twentieth century.  Why is it that we hold noone accountable for this gross over sight?  If the government subsidizes funding for Pantrinbago why wasn't the ministry associated with culture paying attention and ensuring that Pantrinbago organized a huge event ?  Maybe Pantrinbago needs some guidance in how to not just honour our pan community but to take advantage of a marketing opportunity bar none for Trinidad and Tobago.  Do they have any idea how much people would have been willing to spend to witness an event such as this?  Pantribago missed an opportunity to garner serious revenue.  Tourists and musicians who visited our country, several of whom are seriously knowledgeable and well versed in our pan culture, were expecting something huge and got nothing. One can just imagine what it feels like for us born and bred panjumbies.  The Steelband community and most of us panjumbies live purely for Panorama.  It's the be-all and end-all of pan.  However, in my land of bacchanal life goes on but maybe, just maybe, Pantrinbago could as yet pull-off something to recognize the 50th anniversary of our beloved Panorama and the contributions of all involved.

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