Happy Birthday to Brent Holder

When Steel Talks extends birthday greeting to panist, arranger, Brent Holder

Happy Birthday to Jonathan Scales

When Steel Talks extends birthday greetings to panist, composer Jonathan Scales

15 Years Later: CrossFire Steel Orchestra - A Celebration of Longevity & Success

Martin Douglas, in white, with Le'Roi Simmonds at the celebration

New York, USA - Any steel orchestra that has made it past three years of existence in New York has a chance of survival. Any steel orchestra that has made it past a decade is indeed

Happy Birthday to GARY CARDINEZ

When Steel Talks extends birthday greetings to journalist GARY CARDINEZ

So Brooklyn: Young, Gifted and ‘Cultured’ - The Youthful Face of New York Pan – Highlights of the 2014 Pan Season

New York, USA -  In Pictures:  highlights of the youthful face of New York Pan during the 2014 Pan season. 

Enjoy the energy and vibrancy of some of those who are at the vanguard of the New York steelband culture and art form.
click for slideshow

So is New York Panorama worth more than a “selfie”? Irate parents - Time to speak to the Governor: The contest that you can’t win!!

New York, USA - There is simply nothing like an irate parent - ask any politician that is stumping for votes.

The Panorama contest of New York is probably the only contest in the state where you are almost certainly guaranteed to be a loser before y

Peter Ray Blood on Pan Activist HOLLY THOMAS - The Voice is no more

Holly Thomas, second from left, poses with some past celebrities from the TBC network. From left, presenter Emmett Hennessy, programme director Gabriel Francis (deceased), presenter Selma Ahyee (deceased), presenter Jim Suther

Trinidad radio broadcaster & Pan Activist Holly Thomas has passed

When Steel Talks extends condolences to the family friends of veteran radio broadcaster, and ardent lover and supporter of the steelband culture and art form, Holly Thomas.

St. Jude’s Private School Steelband does Nigeria proud at International Marimba & Steelpan Festival

Gauteng, South Africa -  Steel band musicians of St. Jude’s Private School hailing from Festac Town in Lagos, Nigeria, represented their country well, and indeed, their part of their continent for that matter, when they participated in the 2014 Inte

Say ‘wow’ for talented steelband twins Dejean and Deja Cain

Trinidad Express Newspapers

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Twin brother and sister Dejean and Deja Cain are young, timid and small in size; but don’t let that fool you.

These youngsters already have a talent that can rival that of their adult counterpa

Pan Stars go troppo for final days of Cairns Festival 2014 (Australia)

The Cairns Post

Queensland, Australia -  The quintessential sound of the tropics filled the esplanade air, as the Cairns Pan Stars took to the stage as part of the Cairns Festival. The band of ten played a mix of traditional Caribbean tunes and c

Happy Birthday to Master Tuner Bertram “Birch” Kelman - September 9

When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to master Pan Tuner extraordinaire - the great Bertram “Birch” Kelman.  

More on this iconic master craftsman...

PSCC (Pan-in-Schools Coordinating Council) strikes sweet note for steelpan music

Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  Music was the medium for magic as 67 Pan-in-Schools workshop participants celebrated their accomplishments at the graduation ceremony held at the Radisson Hotel’s Festival Ballroom last week.

When Biting Insects and Fossils meet Pan: A Terminal Case of the Wrong People, in the Wrong Place, at the Wrong Time

New York, USA - A funny thing happened to When Steel Talks (WST) on our way to the annual coverage of the 2014 New York Panorama this year. WST unexpectedly became part of the story. Not that WST was seeking, or in need of - “street cred” within the

Panorama Steel band Competition To Showcase The Rich Musical Heritage Of Trinidad and Tobago

The Soul Of Miami

Silver Stars USA Steel Orchestra Looks To Keep Coveted Title of Miami Broward Carnival Steel Band of The Year

Miami, Florida, USA -  The scintillating and pulsating music of the steel pan has always played a significant role in the

LABOR DAY J’OUVERT RESULTS – MONDAY SEPTEMBER 1st 2014

J'Ouvert City International,Inc.(JCI)

Board of Directors:  Danville Williamson-President, Yvette Rennie-Vice-President, Cynthia Green-PRO/Interim Treasurer

 “Respect”   to all Steelband Leaders, Panists, Masband Leaders, Mas Designers, Masquerade

WIADCA's whopping $700 media fee creates controversy

Caribbean Life

by Vinette K. Pryce

Brooklyn, New York - After 46 years of coverage of the annual West Indian American Day Carnival Association's [WIADCA] annual festivities in Brooklyn, in an un-precedented action, the organizers required media indiv

Panists Paddy Corea & Eddie Quarless on Sax and Flute on Beckett's hit album "Calypso Disco"

Panist Paddy Corea and the late steelband arranger Eddie Quarless played sax and flute as session musicians on Beckett's hit album "Calypso Disco," among many others. The album was arranged by Caribbean musical standout Frankie McIntosh.

Leroy Clarke and Real Steel Make History at 2014 Notting Hill Carnival, London

London, UK - Leroy Clarke made history back on August 23 when his arrangement of “Pan in the Atmosphere” led Real Steel to win the coveted title of ‘UK National Panorama Champions’ for the Notting Hill Carnival for the third successive year.

In capt

Unpardonable ‘dis’ of the steel band culture - written by Les Slater

New York, USA -  The lineup of activities for the 2014 Labor Day weekend West Indian Carnival is history. And, like a couple of years ago when we were constrained to make scathing reference to the appearance in the Eastern Parkway parade of a few fem