“Know from whence you came. If you know whence you came, there are absolutely no limitations to where you can go.” ― James Baldwin
Another When Steel Talks Review
© 2012 When Steel Talks - All Rights Reserved
Honored Steelband pioneers and proxies hold awards at the end of the evening
Brooklyn, New York - The Big Apple again took the lead, by honoring its central steelpan music figures in the development of Pan in New York, as the Trinidad & Tobago Folk Arts Institute hosted a special awards ceremony simply called "A Gala Tribute To New York Steel Band Pioneers" on May 20th 2012 at the Tropical Paradise Ballroom.
In addition to paying public homage and drawing attention to these pioneers, the event also documented the sacrifices and accomplishments of these forerunners, on whose shoulders sit one of the greatest and most significant cultural movements and art forms in the history of the United States.
It is no secret that the largest and most vibrant steelpan music community outside of the homeland of the steelpan instrument, Trinidad and Tobago, calls New York home. Les Slater—chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Folk Arts Institute—in addressing the audience, said that “It was critical that this acknowledgement of these men be done now as many were getting up in age and some had already passed on.”
The great literary giant James Baldwin said “Know from whence you came. If you know whence you came, there are absolutely no limitations to where you can go.” It is in this spirit that the Folk Arts Institute continues to organize successful and indispensible events such as these. The gala’s honorees were Michael Alexander, Caldera Caraballo, Milton Gabriel, Edward George, Lennox Leverock, Alphonso Marshall, Roy Sangster, Kim Loy Wong, Rudy King and Conrad Mauge. A slim, well-produced program book available to all who were in attendance, listed the honorees’ and their full bio data. Bios were in turn read aloud preceding each respective presentation for the evening.
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Replies
Claude look all the NY names right here. ODW find all the info right here on WST.
bugs
THOUGHT PROVOKING!!! I remember reading that article a few years ago but reading it now (again) put it in a completely new context having READ SO MUCH PAN STUFF over the last 7 years.
At some point we will have to sort out the content. For example, my initial impression was more of a GLOBAL REPRESENTATION. What I am thinking now is that whatever we produce, initially, could serve as a SAMPLE for more ORGANIZED GROUPS to expand upon.
So many people dedicated so much of their lives to MAKING PAN HAPPEN -- it is TRULY AMAZING!!!
Andy Narell & Stalin - Appreciation
SALUTE! TO LEADERSHIP!
Very enlightening bios of these early pioneers of Steel Band in the USA.