Forum

Revisiting - A Moment in Pan - BSO Remembers Panist Erica Renaud at “Pan Is Sweet” 2019

New York, USA - In the midst of all the joy, happiness and goodwill that 2019’s “Pan Is Sweet” generated, there was a bitter-sweet moment of deep pain and reflection coupled with happy memories, as Brooklyn Steel Orchestra (BSO) honored and remem

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Cordell “Spongy” Barbour - Steelpan Great

by Kathryn Barbour

Global - Lore has him as one of the greatest double-tenor players to have ever walked the planet. Through the eyes of someone who knew him closely—his former wife Kathryn Barbour—the steelband world gets an upclose and personal l

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When a great idea meets a great idea - simply a charmed Pan experience

The birth of Carib Parlor Notes

Brooklyn, New York, USA - Let’s start with the end. The inaugural session of Carib Parlor Notes featuring performing artist and panist Garvin Blake was extremely successful. It was a groundbreaking event with vast hi

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NYU Steel Ensemble 2019 Spring Concert: Steelpan Magic on West 4th Street - when the Doctors Make a House Call

New York, USA - With enough music magic being generated at the Frederick Loewe Theater to make Harry Potter and his mates jealous, NYU Steel proceeded to turn the capacity audience into life long “Pan Jumbies.”

A long time ago the legendary drummer

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Revisiting -- Meet Akira Iino - Musician, Panist, Bandleader & Creator of the Diamond Cut Steel Pan - UpClose!

A When Steel Talks Exclusive

Picture by Chrome Furnishers Limited

Akira Iino from Japan has created a new guitar pan with diamond shapes indented into the skirt of the drum. The diamond-cut steel drums are m

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An ‘Ivory & Steel’ Moment in Pan - BSO’s Tribute to Ken “Professor” Philmore at ‘Pan Is Sweet’ 2019

Leon Foster Thomas and Khuent Rose at the Roulette Intermedium

New York, USA - The one thing there was no shortage of at the 2019 Brooklyn Steel Orchestra (BSO) Summer production of ‘Pan Is Sweet’ at the Roulette Intermedium, was great memorable mus

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Meet Yanis Roset - Explorer, Panist, Organizer, Arranger, Educator, and Bandleader

Meet Yanis Roset - Explorer, Panist, Organizer, Arranger, Educator, and Bandleader

Guadeloupe - The formula is simple. Yanis Roset = Pan. An in this regard Yanis has embarked on a life long journey of exploring all things involving the culture of

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André White to drop a Steel Orchestra Version of Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road”

New York, USA - My-o, My, o-My. Hmm, hmm, hmm...

Earlier this week one of the When Steel Talks (WST) forum regulars (Bugs) made what may have seemed to most an odd request, to one of the world’s most brilliant steel orchestra music composer/arranger

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Meet Kerri-Ann Hyndman-Borris - Trinidad & Tobago

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “My vision for the instrument is to be able to capture the hearts of those who don’t understand and appreciate what pan is, what it’s about, and what it can do for us as a nati

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Meet Rheanne Edwards-Babb Trinidad & Tobago

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “The greatest challenge for this current generation is that there are too many distractions for them. Compared to when I started out, it’s a bit harder for this generation to

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Meet Crystalann Timothy - Trinidad & Tobago

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “....when I get behind those drums I’m already in performance mode (I just love it). Organising is really my thing, I take pride in doing what I have to do and what needs to be

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Meet Dr. Mia Gormandy-Benjamin - Panist, Composer, Arranger, Ethnomusicologist, Educator & Performing Artist - UpClose!

 Global -  Her passion for Pan is obviously without question. She developed a natural affinity for pan and music at a very early age. That love and passion has taken her to the heights of the arts and education. In an exclusive interview with When St

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Reboot -- Meet Bowie Sonnie Bowei of Nigeria -- Manufacturer, Pioneer, Panist, Arranger, Educator and Pan Ambassador - UpClose!

On what keeps his passion for the instrument going - Bowie Sonnie Bowei says:

“At first, it was the uniqueness of the instrument and the positive reactions on the faces of people who listen to pan for the first time. Now, it is the joy that it bring

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Happy Birthday to BRENDA HOSANG

When Steel Talks extends birthday greetings WST forum member Brenda Hosang.

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Revisited - International Focus on The New Musical Instrument of the Century

 Editor-in-Chief: Leslie Slater | Senior Associate/Executive Editor: Dalton Narine

Pan  magazine (the brain child of Dalton Narine and Les Slater) remains simply the finest steelpan music publication ever printed. Thanks again to Dalton Narine and

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The Story of Steelbands and the Steelband Art Form in St. Lucia

The history of Steel pan in Saint Lucia dates much farther back than Saint Lucia’s independence, even farther than many today can recall vividly enough to attribute its introduction to any one individual. However various names are almost always spoke

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Meet Gay Magnus - Jamaica

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Jamaica, W.I. - “Don’t be afraid to do what you love. There will always be the percentage that has something negative to say about what you do, but once focus on yourself, focus on positivity and find w

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Revisiting - Meet Mary Genis - United Kingdom

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Reading, England, UK - “Follow your dreams, be professional, organised and pleasant at all times.  Be the best you can be and surround yourself with talented people who share and understand your vision.

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Meet Angel Lawrie - Wisconsin, USA

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Wisconsin, USA - “With reference to using the steelpan instrument in working with those challenged by autism spectrum disorder and ADHD: “The steel drum is my number one choice of instrument with workin

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Meet Krystal George - Trinidad & Tobago

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “‘Pan before Band.’ For me that’s a slogan used after the Panorama competition is over (hahahaha). As panists we all want our bands to win. The good thing however is regardless

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