Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania - Presently, he is a mostly self-motivated, self-taught, self -financed - panist, arranger, teacher, promoter, recruiter and tuner who is single-handedly leading the charge to bring Pan and the steelband to Tanzania in a very
Editor’s Message
The steelpan instrument continues to evolve to keep abreast of the digital era that faces the world in the 21st century that we live in. Steelpan Apps, Blogs, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, G
Global - He is a scholar, an intellect, a musician and a coach - just to name a few. Indeed, depending on when you crossed his multifaceted life, met or engaged him - the name Dave LaBarrie will ring differently to you. He’s been an assistant high
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Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “I come alive as I transform into the woman on the bass while I lose my soul jamming to the sweetness, the harmonic and melodious arrangement by my legendary arranger Len “Boogsie” Sha
Pennsylvania, USA - “It makes me proud, for one, that I’m taking part in the culture of my family. Something that I’ve never had an interest in before is now one of the few things that brings me happiness during
Meet Norzika Lewis New York, U.S.A. - “Those ten minutes on stage to me are the best moments in my life every year that I perform. There is always this feeling like a rush of energy that I get when I perform. Because being a performer
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London, U.K. - “Pan itself, I don’t think I would change anything. I think it would just be people outside of the community’s views. It’s not ‘tin pan,’ ’dustbin lids,‘ you shouldn’t knock the instrument with your
England, U.K. - “I want to see steelbands selling out venues across the UK. I also want to see steel pan televised and seen equally to other instruments in the UK.”
She is a budding intellectual, legal scholar and pa
Guyana, S.A. - “I love performing and entertaining people. Seeing the joy on their faces when we play is priceless. On the other hand, being able to educate the nation’s future and somehow play a part in the maint
Maryland, USA - “Music embodies my life to the point that it takes precedence to eating, drinking and sleeping. I often hear melodies and musical arrangements in my head...”
She is a music educator, performer, rec
New York, U.S.A. - “I would say “Go for it and give it all you have!” If you’re passionate about something, you will give it your all and not let anything or anyone come in between you and your dreams. I am the pl
Dortmund, Germany - “I’m lucky to be born in a city, which can by now be called, “The steel pan stronghold of Germany.” The first steel pan association in Dortmund was founded in 1995 and a pan-round-the-neck band was pa
Meet Nakita Wilfred
Barbados
Barbados, W.I. - “Whenever I play pan, I would drift to this place of total bliss where she [my mother] resides and I can never help but to smile uncontrollably and feel at peace. Onlookers always inquire about my abili
Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - “I would tell any young female panist to go for it. If it’s something you love and enjoy, don’t let anything deter you from that passion. You will face many ups and downs and you will feel like
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A. - “Steel pan has become a part of who I am. The sound is my heart beat, it is something I will never attempt to try and live without
North Tyneside, U.K. - “It’s the most indescribable & amazing 10 minutes. I felt full of every single emotion after Trinidad Panorama, it was my biggest achievement to d
New York, U.S.A. - “On who is her favorite arranger - “Marc Brooks because he has seen me grow from when I first started playing to now, and has challenged me and pushed me to be the best that I can be. Plus, his arr
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “Being a woman player in the world-famous Phase II Pan Groove is humbling. The idea of being affiliated with the band, not just as a female but as a regular member of the band is someth
Tr
inidad & Tobago, W.I. - “Those eight minutes are magical - it’s what I wait for 364 days of the year. The emotion you feel telling this music story is like
New York/JapanNew York, U.S.A. - “...It is a magical instrument. Especially when you play as a band, I can’t even describe how my spirit is lifted. The only way is to experience it.”
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