by Priscilla Taylor
Casablanca Steel Orchestra at Brooklyn Academy of Music - 1983The creation and the evolution of the steel pan, is one of the most Innovative inventions of the twentieth century. A true Folk Art, the pan developed on the Island of Trinidad during the 1930’s and 1940’s. Early pioneers were Ellie Manette, Winston “Spree” Simon, Neville Jules, as well as Bertie Marshall, Orman “Patsy” Haynes, Anthony Williams, Jackman, Rudolph Charles and others.
Reynold “Caldera” Caraballo producer of Casablanca Steel Orchestra at BAM
This unique musical sound, which originally came from the 55- gallon discarded oil drums, eventually found its way to other Caribbean islands. However, it was not until 1949 that the first steel pan was heard ¡ri the United States, when Trinidadian, Rudolph “Rudy” King, brought a set of steel drums to New York City. Musical America has not been the same since.
Rudy’s band was the first to perform In the West Indian Day Parade, When It was held In Harlem along Seventh Avenue from 110th Street to 142nd Street, from 1947 onwards continuing throughout the 1950’s and the early 1960’s, finally settling In Brooklyn. King’s band also appeared at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on May 12, 1956, electrifying the audience with this new sound.
Replies