Gospel and Crossfire

The Power of Praise, the Power of Pan

New York - It was the power of Praise, right alongside the Power of Pan at the Premier Baptist Church (PBC) in Brooklyn last Saturday. Music director and arranger Khuent Rose on steelpans joined with a couple other musicians to give those already comfortably seated in plush red “pews” just a taste of what was to come, setting the tone, even as proceedings were almost an hour behind the 7:00 p.m. scheduled start time.

A two-tiered stage was set with glistening pans and other conventional instruments, awaiting the moment to spring to life in musical synchronicity; the pan players from Crossfire Steel Orchestra (led by Martin “Dougie” Douglas) were also present - anxious and ready to sound off with works arranged by Rose. Douglas himself was crisply attired in a white shirt with black pants, the former emblazoned with black print in full support of the steelpan art form. Earlier on in the evening, last-minute details were being seen to, with the steel orchestra having a brief sound check, and Khuent Rose in his capacity of music director overseeing particulars, ensuring that all was in place and would go according to plan.
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