Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
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Breaking Global Steelpan News
Web Posted - Saturday March 20, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Zaynab Wilson - Montreal, Canada
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Montreal, Canada - She is good... Real good and setting a new tempo. In an exclusive, When Steel Talks (WST) speaks to musician Zaynab Wilson of Montreal.
Zaynab is a panist, percussionist, drummer and vocalist, and has been the anchor for the Salah Wilson’s Steelpan Academy for a number of years.
Web Posted - Saturday March 20, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Ronica Gordon - Trinidad and Tobago
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Trinidad and Tobago, W.I. - She has had many rewarding experiences through her life long association with the steelpan instrument. In addition she has been a member of a couple of the greatest steel orchestras in the history of Trinidad and Tobago Pan. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist Ronica Gordon shares her experiences, views, reflections and dreams on Pan, and the steelpan art form overall.
Web Posted - Friday March 19, 2021
When Steel Talks
Trinidad and Tobago Police Service say Killer of Japanese Panist Asami Nagakiya was killed in police shootout
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Cold Case Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has closed the case relating to the death of Japanese panist, Asami Nagakiya.
Ms Nagakiya’s body was found in the Queen’s Park Savannah on February 10th, 2016. A post-mortem revealed that she was strangled. Following a review of the evidence on March 18th, 2021, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard expressed satisfaction that the investigation was thoroughly done. He concluded that all the evidence pointed to one suspect, David Allen who was killed in a police-involved shooting on December 12th, 2016, in Woodbrook.
The DPP advised that the matter be closed.
Web Posted - Thursday March 18, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Indira Amaya Lizárraga - Xalapa, Mexico
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Xalapa, Mexico - “...we are the first steel band here in Mexico, so there’s no to much people playing steel drum in our country, but I trust in our work and I can tell, that the future of the steel drum in Mexico will be huge in a few years...”
She is a career musician studying orchestral percussion. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist, percussionist and performing artist Indira Amaya Lizárraga shares her reflections, experiences and views on Pan, and the steelpan art form overall.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 16, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Laéticia Walker - New York/Saint Vincent
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
New York, USA/Saint Vincent, W.I. - She is an intellect whose ultimate destination is medical school. However, what is abundantly clear is that along that journey Pan and the music of the steel orchestra will be constant companions. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist Laéticia Walker shares her feelings, experiences, and love for the Steelband music art form and more.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 16, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Anesha Carbon - United Kingdom
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
United Kingdom - She is a veteran core member of UK’s champion Ebony Steel Band with something to say. Moreover she is well beyond being just a Pan enthusiast and player. So Listen Up! as Anesha Carbon, in an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - shares her feelings, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 16, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Diane Thomas - Indiana, USA
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Indiana, USA - A voice with uncommon beauty spoke to her years ago. It was indeed unconditional love at first contact. Years later the love affair continues, and is as intense as ever. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Diane Thomas shares her feelings, experiences, and passion for Steelband music art form and more.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 16, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Nakiya Athina de Freitas - Antigua
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
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 giving up, but just keep going.”
She is focused, driven and extremely talented. And represents the future of Pan. She is a music major who has firm ideas on the way forward in Pan. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Nakiya Athina de Freitas shares her feelings, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 16, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Devon Cumberbatch - Maryland, USA
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Maryland, USA - Pan is a significant part of her heritage and her story. And within the steelpan artform she experiences her yesterday, today and tomorrow in a real and tangible way. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - writer and panist Devon Cumberbatch shares her cross-continental experiences and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 16, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Clara Ozanne - France
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
France - She fell in love with Pan as a child when Pan‘n’Co Steelband’s founding members visited her school in France. There has been no looking back as her pan passion has only grown, and Clara Ozanne is now unmistakable when playing her signature pink tenor. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks and ten years later, Clara shares her feelings, experiences, and dreams relative to the Steelband music art form and more.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 16, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Nakita Wilfred - Barbados
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Barbados, W.I. - The steelpan instrument, in this case, the Tenor, is like oxygen for her. Pan is Nakita Wilfred; Nakita Wilfred is Pan. And that pretty much tells the story right there. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Nakita “Empress Sadé” Wilfred explains why Pan is the joy of her life, and in addition shares her feelings, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 16, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Ivor Shatal Francis - St. Lucia
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
St. Lucia, W.I. - She has been very passionate about her involvement in Pan at every stage. As the first female captain in her country of a champion steel orchestra, panist Ivor Shatal Francis has been afforded a unique vantage point of the art form in St. Lucia. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - she shares her outlooks, success, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.
Web Posted - Thursday March 11, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Dr. Mia Gormandy-Benjamin - Panist, Composer, Arranger, Ethnomusicologist, Educator & Performing Artist - UpClose!
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Trinidad and Tobago, W.I. - Intelligent, immensely talented, beautiful, charismatic, articulate, focused and thoughtful - this ‘Ambassador of Pan’ represents the ultimate pan product from Trinidad and Tobago’s next generation of pan talent.
Web Posted - Wednesday March 10, 2021
When Steel Talks
Meet Sterling Betancourt MBE - Steelpan Pioneer, 1952 TASPO member, Notting Hill Carnival and more - UpClose!
Global - Listen to - an exclusive Von Martin–interview with Mr. Sterling Betancourt. Here is Betancourt’s story in his own words with noted author and journalist Von Martin. This interview was done in London, England at Betancourt’s home in 2000.
Web Posted - Wednesday March 10, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Christine Law - Trinidad & Tobago
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Christine Law was 81 years of age in 2017. She was in her early 30s when she led the Wonderland Steel Band in Chaguanas, central Trinidad. She recalls her time in Trinidad and Tobago with the fondest of memories. Her most moving memory is of the whole of the Wonderland band turning up to play for them as they boarded their boat to leave Trinidad for the final time in 1967. Everyone was in tears!
Web Posted - Wednesday March 10, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Chantal Esdelle - Trinidad & Tobago
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Although she is a scholar, an intellect and a deep thinker with many awards she remains humble. Indeed, it is her deep roots, knowledge of self and conscious awareness of who we are as a people amongst her vast accomplishments - that make her so special. She is a Trinidad and Tobago treasure.
In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist, ethnomusicologist, musician composer, arranger and educator Chantal Esdelle gives us an honest glimpse into who she is - her observations and concerns along with her love and unrestrained passion for the culture, history, steelpan instrument, its music, the art form and more.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Alice Adams - UK
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
United Kingdom - She is insightful, daring, and committed. Her passion for Pan took from the UK to participate in the Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist Alice Adams shares her feelings, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more. Hear her voice - feel her passion.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Crystal Noel - Trinidad & Tobago
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - She is a veteran double tenor panist for the perennial Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama Champions, Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Crystal Noel shares not only her love for the instrument and culture, but her personal journey and on the minimum required investment in Pan for a successful sustainable global outreach.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Daisy James-McClean - Panist, Lecturer, Pan Pioneer - Trinidad and Tobago
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Trinidad and Tobago - Mrs. Daisy James-McClean is an award-winning female steelpan musician, whose recognized list of firsts and accomplishments within the steelband movement are both significant and staggering. She is an original (Ms. McClean started playing over 70 years ago, and just celebrated her seventy-sixth birthday) who keeps on giving to the steelpan movement, starting from its earliest, and now as the leader of Harlem Syncopators of Trinidad and Tobago
Web Posted - Tuesday March 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Julie Williams - Trinidad & Tobago
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - From child to adult, the steelpan instrument has been a constant love and comrade. Her love for the instrument is profound. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, Julie Williams of Exodus Steel Orchestra Trinidad and Tobago, shares her insight, experiences and expectations for the steelpan art form.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Jryck Williams - Trinidad & Tobago
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - She is confident, assertive, astute and forward-thinking. Moreover, she embodies all of the best ingredients you would love to have in the next generation of Pan caretakers. Jryck Williams may be young; however, her age belies her wisdom. This future lawyer brings it all to the table. We may be looking at the next great global leader of a players’ pan association or prime minister.
In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist Jryck Williams shares her love and vision for the steelpan instrument, its music, the art form and more.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Hazel Henley - Trinidad & Tobago
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - She was an intellectual, a Pan Pioneer, and multi-talented, thoughtful, forward-thinking and a steelband leader in an era when women were looked down upon for any association with pan. When Steel Talks spotlights panist, musician, arranger and performing artist - the late Hazel Henley, founder of “Girl Pat Steel Orchestra,” one of reportedly only two all-women steel orchestras in the 1950s in Trinidad and Tobago.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Demri Pelle - Antigua and Barbuda
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - Demri Pelle embodies the spirit of Pan. Far more than just an instrument to her it is an experience and life. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - she shares her love, passion and ongoing adventure with the steelpan instrument, its music, the art form and more.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Jenny Gilberg - UK
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
United Kingdom - From Panorama player to music educator - she has experienced all aspects of the Pan up close and personal. Performer, arranger, and now director - the steelpan instrument is in her blood. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, Jenny Gilberg of New Castle upon Tyne, UK shares how the steelpan instrument has impacted her life
Web Posted - Tuesday March 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Natalie Wint - New York, USA
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
New York, USA - She is simply one of New York’s finest panists. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - the multitalented and extremely versatile musician Natalie Wint shares her feelings, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Justina Ploeger - Germany
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Germany - She is young in age but no doubt a talented veteran panist with skills. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Justina Ploeger shares her feelings, experiences, and love for the Steelband music art form and more.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Jossane Kerrice Felix - Trinidad & Tobago
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - She is an infectious spirit who leaps off the page and delivers breaths of unadulterated enthusiasm into the reader/listener for her story and the magic of the steelpan art form. She is forward-thinking with an open-the-door and “let’s do this - let me at it” attitude.
In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - multi-talented panist, author and performing artist sane Kerrice Felix shares her vision, experiences, and feelings for the Steelband music art form and more.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Nellie Bly - The woman behind the 55-gallon Steel Oil Drum - USA
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
USA - She was among the most famous journalists of her day as a reporter for the New York World. Less known about Nellie Bly is her role in creating the 55-gallon steel oil drum...
The 55-gallon steel drum - used practically globally, for the creation of the musical instruments of the steelpan music family - was created by Ms Bly. Although originally created for the storage of crude oil, the steel drums have been, and remain - the de facto raw material standard for the steelpan instrument.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Teneisha Campbell - Trinidad & Tobago
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - She is a multi-talented musician, screen-writer, actor and performing artist. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist Teneisha Campbell shares her thoughts, experiences, opinions and viewpoints on the SteelPan music art form and more.
Web Posted - Tuesday March 9, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Winifred Atwell - Trinidad
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - She was an intellectual, a star, a child prodigy, a music Pioneer, multi-talented, thoughtful, forward-thinking and a steelpan musical collaborator in an era when women were looked down upon for any association with pan. When Steel Talks spotlights musician, performing artist, composer and world-renowned pianist extraordinaire and one of the biggest mainstream artists in British history - the late Winifred Atwell, producer of the most phenomenal steelpan music recordings ever - the best known being Ivory and Steel.
Web Posted - Monday March 8, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Naoko Yabuta - Tokyo, Japan
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Tokyo, Japan - She doesn’t just love Pan - she breathes Pan and lives the experience of Pan. She was born and lives in Tokyo, Japan - but there is absolutely no doubt, that she is 1000% Desperadoes. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist and performing artist Naoko Yabuta shares her reflections, experiences and views on Pan, and the steelpan art form overall.
Web Posted - Sunday March 7, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Candice Andrews-Brumant - Trinidad and Tobago
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - She is one of a select few panists where only a ‘first name’ is needed for instant recognition, anywhere in the world of Pan.
In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, Candice Andrews-Brumant, captain of the world-renowned Renegades Steel Orchestra speaks on her unbridled passion for Pan, Renegades and dreams for the steelpan movement.
Web Posted - Sunday March 7, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Zahra Lake - Antigua & Barbuda
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - multitalented arranger, instructor and musician Zahra Lake shares her, intellect, optimism, expectations and views on the Steel Pan music art form in Antigua & Barbuda and more.
Web Posted - Sunday March 7, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Jovanka Williams - Guyana
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Guyana, S.A. - She is a respected member of the National Steel Orchestra of Guyana. In addition she has experienced many aspects of the steelband music industry as both an educator and touring musician. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Jovanka Williams shares her feelings, experiences, and insight into the Steelband music art form and more...
Web Posted - Sunday March 7, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Gay Magnus - Jamaica
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Jamaica, W.I. - A focused, determined, disciplined and extremely talented, musical director of UWI Panoridim, Gay Magnus brings it all to the table. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks the panist shares her love and unconcealed passion for the steelpan instrument, its music, the art form and more.
Web Posted - Sunday March 7, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Debra “Sista Dee” Sarjeant - Massachusetts, USA
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Massachusetts, USA - The path and journey of Boston’s Debra “Sista Dee” Sarjeant were essentially sealed from birth - what with her being Denzil Botus’ daughter, and her godfather being the iconic Rudolph Charles. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Sarjeant shares a snapshot of what has brought her to this point in Pan.
Web Posted - Sunday March 7, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Yasmin Brito - Ontario, Canada
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Ontario, Canada -At 12 years old Yasmin Brito was playing pan in a steelband. And while the neighbors had less than kind things to say about this - she had fun. Much fun - made history by becoming one of the first of the firsts in the annals of pan - an unwitting trailblazer with memories and experiences that have lasted a lifetime.
Web Posted - Saturday March 6, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Megan-Leigh Langton-Attang - Trinidad & Tobago
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - She is a millennial. Bright, articulate, intelligent, witty and funny - and did we say multitalented. Equally at home with a video game as she is with a pan... The pan DNA looms large inside her via the genes passed on to her through her Mom. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - panist Megan-Leigh Langton-Attang shares her outstanding experiences beginning at a tender age with the steelpan instrument, its music, the art form and more.
Web Posted - Friday March 5, 2021
When Steel Talks Reboot - Feel the Music - Live the Experience
Sonatas Steel Orchestra - “Fantastic Friday” | Leon Foster Thomas | New York Panorama 2013
Cool Down Version - Basement Yard Recordings 2013
Brooklyn, New York, USA - It’s the annual New York Panorama. Sonatas Steel Orchestra is playing the Cool Down Version of “Fantastic Friday” - written by Austin Lyons aka “Super Blue” - and arranged by Leon Foster Thomas, for Panorama 2013.
Web Posted - Friday March 5, 2021
When Steel Talks Reboot - Feel the Music - Live the Experience
Sonatas Steel Orchestra - “Fantastic Friday” | Leon Foster Thomas | New York Panorama 2013
Tempo Version - Basement Yard Recordings 2013
Brooklyn, New York, USA - It’s the annual New York Panorama. Sonatas Steel Orchestra is playing the Tempo Version of “Fantastic Friday” - written by Austin Lyons aka “Super Blue” - and arranged by Leon Foster Thomas, for Panorama 2013.
Web Posted - Wednesday March 3, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Meet Wendy Jones of Toronto, Canada
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Toronto, Canada - She fell in love with the steelpan instrument and the power of pan at an early age. She is a founding member of Pan Fantasy Steelband. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - administrator, player and pan-mom Wendy Jones of Toronto, Canada, shares the joy of pan and how the steelpan instrument has impacted her life from a young girl, to the point of now being the mother of pan players herself.
Web Posted - Wednesday March 3, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
Clive Bradley - Memories and Current Thoughts Related to Women in the Steelpan World
New York, USA - “The first time that I remember seeing women play Steelpan was around 1968, somewhere around there - when three women joined Desperadoes; one of them was Ursula, on the tenor pan, and she still plays with the band today. The other, Carol, played tenor pan too, and the third, whose name I can't recall right now, played the Bass. It was a sort of status symbol for those guys because there were not too many bands with women playing. They were good players. As a matter of fact, I believe that Scrunter (Owen Reyes Johnson) wrote Woman On the Bass for particularly that girl.” --- Clive Bradley
Web Posted - Tuesday March 2, 2021
When Steel Talks - Reboot
PAT BISHOP, A Person In Pan
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “I suppose that my presence in so many panyards over the years must have rustled some masculine feathers but they have kept that a deep, dark secret from me – which is just as well since I don’t suppose that I would have taken any notice!! ” .... Pat Bishop
She is a titan among giants in the history of pan. Staying in her lane was not part of her MO. The late Pat Bishop was one of the most respected, influential and celebrated women in the steelpan movement. Holder of Trinidad & Tobago's highest award -The Trinity Cross - her accomplishments are second to none. In a When Steel Talks exclusive Pat Bishop pens her insights, feelings and life experiences for the Pan community.
Web Posted - Monday March 1, 2021
Jamaica Gleaner
2021 Carnival in Grenada - Cancelled!
No Carnival for 2021
St. George’s, Grenada, W.I. - Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr Keith Mitchell, has announced the cancellation of the Spicemas carnival 2021 celebrations.
Mitchell said there will be no carnival, even if 60 per cent of the population get the COVID-19 vaccine.
This will be the second consecutive year Spicemas has been cancelled due to the pandemic.
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