| Steelpan Ace Shawn Thwaites & wife Sabreen combine Pan, Vocals in Lebanese performances |
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Their main performances have been delivered in the cabaret-style setting of the “Music Hall” - one of the biggest and best known venues located in the center of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. Interestingly, Sabreen herself previously graced that stage back in 2008, but as part of the world famous Harlem Gospel Choir. In celebration of Women’s month in March, the Thwaites also performed for the United States Ambassador to Lebanon, Michele J. Sison, at the US Embassy in Beirut. |
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Lebanon| Mia Gormandy in Concert |
| Northern Illinois Panist Shines |
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Panist Jonathan Scales
is ‘The Real Deal’
USA - Many can talk the talk - but few can walk the walk. Panist Jonathan Scales without a doubt is ‘walking the walk.’ On his sophomore release called Plot/Scheme, Scales takes the listener not only into unexpected territory, but clearly uncharted real-estate. The fact that he takes us there with the steelpan instrument navigating the journey - is all the more fascinating.
All notions of an island-like, ‘smiley, smiley’ facade are dashed from the onset.
click for more
New Cool Steel Show
- Puts Spotlight on Artist
Several PanRadio friends are going to be extra happy with the show - because the Spotlight Artists are.. YOU!
Go to PanRadio's page on the network, or click here -
http://www.panonthenet.com/online/coolsteel/coolsteel-3.27.09.htm
Enjoy the show!!
Clash of the Steelbands
The “Lord Blakie” Remembered
The Calypso and its derivatives remain that intrinsic, artistic thread that weaves the creative cloth of history, documenting and storytelling through live performances for the masses. The late Lord Blakie was one of the true great masters of this craft. Blessed with an abundance of wit, intelligence, humor, memory and knowledge of subject matter - Lord Blakie was giant among his peers and a significant icon in the steelpan music moment.
Khalick J. Hewitt remembers Lord Blakie.
Dr. Dawn Batson
Associate Professor
Florida Memorial University
Florida - She is one of the world’s foremost experts, educators and promoters of the steelpan instrument. Her name is synonymous with inspiring and guiding young musicians to achievement, greatness and academic excellence. When Steel Talks caught Dr. Dawn Batson for a candid interview about the steelpan artform, her involvement and hopes for the instrument.
Ms. Batson remembers her earliest experience with the steelpan about the age of four with Desperadoes Steel Orchestra. She was fascinated by the sound of Desperadoes and lost her family at that point but they eventually found her - within the basses in the steel orchestra. Dr. Batson who plays a few other instruments, says that “there is something about the sound of the steel orchestra that is like no other instrument” - and there lies her fascination with the instrument. “It is just a connection - I don’t know if it is an ancestral connection or just the beauty of the steel... there is just a connection.”
Pan Podium Captures Panorama in Pictures
Quiet, humble, unassuming but meticulous - Robbie Joseph, editor of Pan Podium is the consummate professional. He brings a cutting-edge combination of talent and experience to the table, in addition to a passion and dedication to the steelband art form and its community. With his impeccable journalistic and photographic skills, and tech savvyness, he safeguards the steelband product and delivers all matters related to the art form with an undisputed authenticity that few can, or care to, emulate. The editor of Pan Podium’s magazine lets us relive the recent Trinidad and Tobago steelband music panorama competition in all its beauty, glory and magnificence through pictures, and the architects of the art form, the steelpan musicians.
click to see pictures
A British Pan Woman
Rachel Hayward
United Kingdom - This March marks the 25th anniversary of my involvement with pan. Forty years ago pans were introduced into British schools through the efforts of renowned pan pioneers such as Gerald Forsyth and Russell Henderson. My secondary school – the Radcliffe, in the new city of Milton Keynes - started their steelband in 1984, and despite having never seen or heard pan before, and as I was involved in every other musical activity possible (orchestras, choirs and so on) I was not going to be left out of something that looked as interesting as these mysterious new instruments.
A Celebration of Women in Pan Women’s Month
March is the month that has been dedicated to the celebration of women globally. And in this regard, When Steel Talks revisits our annual celebration of “Women in Pan” all over the world. This year we will not only focus on the women behind the instrument, but also those women who silently, but quite strongly are the glue that keeps the steelpan fraternity together and alive. Angela Fox of Pan Trinbago and Barbara Mason, Steel Band Coordinator in the Cultural Development Division in Antigua and Barbuda are just two such women who silently behind the scenes, contribute mightily to the forward motion of the art form. When Steel Talks salutes all the steelpan-related women for always being there and in appreciation of your efforts.click to share in the tribute
| Panorama Fiasco on a Global Stage Caught on my Blackberry |
| Panorama on the Net 2009 |
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The flip side of the attention to all the great pan availability on the internet and mobi devices, is that when something stinks, it is a global stinker and moreover, it is instantaneous. Is there anyone who has not heard or seen what went down at the finals of the large band panorama, in relation to the removal of able pan men, women and youth - from the Trinidad and Tobago flagship steel orchestras/organizations - at this competition??!! Even if we didn’t want to know, we are WST are getting an earful!!
An Analysis and Review of Trinidad and Tobago National 2009 Steelband Panorama |
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by Dr. Jeannine Remy Trinidad, W.I. - The format of a panorama tune has evolved because of the early innovations of arrangers who actually gave the judges ideas for the categories of judging. Today some arrangers get so caught up in following the rules that their creativity is sometimes stifled. If one sticks to the idea of knowing that the judging is based on four main categories (arrangement, performance, quality of sound, and rhythm), then one can allow the creative juices to flow naturally. |
A message to all members of When Steel Talks
Steelband CD Special!
Get a free 2003 Pan in New York CD with any purchase from the www.pantonic.com/cds site, for When Steel Talks network members. Click for details http://www.panonthenet.com/news/2009/feb/ning-2-19-09.htm
2009 Trinidad Panorama and Carnival Coverage
catch the panorama live on the at https://whensteeltalks.ning.com/page/2534462:Page:6921 Members of the WST network will be able to live coverage of the panorama and other carnival events throughout the carnival weekend. Make sure you sign up early. Please be patient when you login - load time will vary from a few seconds to two minutes. Join now, do not wait until the last minute.
Results and other pertinent information will be posted at http://www.panonthenet.com/tnt/2009/index.htm
Steelband Music Classics
There are musical compositions, arrangements, and performances that are undeniably musical gems. Moreover they are true classics that have weathered the test of time. These classics continue to shine irrespective of the era, changes in musical taste or technology. Classics have global enduring qualities, which by definition have lasting significance. Desperadoes - Rebecca, All Stars - Woman On The Bass, Starlift - Penny Lane, North Stars - Poets and Peasants Overture , Phase II - Feeling Nice, Renegades - Pan Night and Day, Pantonic - Stranger, Garvin Blake - Footprints, Robbie Greenidge - Stardust, Rudy 'Two Left' Smith - Body and Soul, Emmanuel 'Jack' Riley - Melody in F to name a few - are representative of signature songs that automatically bring recognition for steelpan music aficionados. When Steel Talks continues it's Pan Classics series as we travel the globe to provide musical snippets of signature pieces from artists and bands, that, in addition to being great music, have historical significance along the global steelpan time continuum.
Past, present and future - Panorama: Nigeria and Holland to host inaugural Panoramas
The Trinidad and Tobago steelband music panorama competition, in addition to being the largest gathering of steelpan musicians and steel bands in the world, is the first of a series of panorama competitions that will take place all over the globe. This year Nigeria and Holland will host their first panorama competitions. Catch up on recent and past When Steel Talks Trinidad & Tobago panorama competition coverage with video performances, articles, audio, interviews, photos and articles. http://www.panonthenet.com/bands/tnt/index.htmArrangers in the Spotlight
They are some of the most respected and honored musicians among the world’s steelpan music fraternity. They are the winning panorama and/or competition arrangers for steel orchestras. No other entity or factor can effect the fortune of a band at panorama, or in any competitive arena - like The Arranger. Today When Steel Talks salutes in pictures, just some of the arrangers we have met through our travels.
click to see pictures:
on facebook >> click here
on WST network >> click here - https://whensteeltalks.ning.com/photo/albums/the-arrangers
Pan Trinbago Sends Warning to Panorama Bands - “Adhere to the Rules”
Pan Trinbago is reminding steel orchestras in the National Finals that they must adhere to the Rules and Regulations governing Panorama 2009.
Pan Trinbago makes special reference to Rule 4 - Qualification for Participation in Competition which states in part that (i) No Large Conventional steelband shall be permitted to participate in the competition with more than 100 players. (ii) Medium Bands - 70 players and (ii) Small Bands -50 players. No Single Pan Bands shall be permitted to participate with more than 35 players.
Pan Trinbago went on to state that bands in violation of this rule shall be penalized.
Pan Podium Magazine
On The Pulse of Pan in the UK
Winter-Spring 2008/2009
United Kingdom - 2009 marks the tenth anniversary of Pan Podium, which proudly celebrates its contribution to the growing steelband artform that is spreading throughout the world.
Now in its eighteenth issue, this critically-acclaimed publication continues to spotlight the best of the UK’s steelband musicians, their organizations, and affiliates. The accomplishments and issues relative to UK-based organizations are proudly and professionally showcased in these full-colour, collectable and memorable magazines, which also showcase orchestras from other parts of the world.
Pan People discuss Panorama 2009
on the WST Network
Trinidad Panorama 2009 News
**Upcoming Events**
click here for all events globally
“The Bradley Years”
The Bradley Years represent the definitive collection of steelband music arrangements and performances for a large steel orchestra. This collection showcases seven classic arrangements from the master arranger Clive Bradley. Bradley is considered to be the best steelband music arranger ever by many, including his peers. In addition, the arrangements are performed by one of the finest steelbands in the world, New York’s Pantonic Steel Orchestra. Clive Bradley had a very special relationship with Pantonic. This orchestra captured the title of panorama champions five times in seven years - performing Bradley’s musical works. The performances were captured by Basement Recordings days before, and in one instance, mere moments before they took the stage for the prestigious annual steelband music panorama competition. The recordings capture, reproduce and present a clarity and the sonic realism of a large steel orchestra fielding between one hundred and hundred twenty musicians - unlike any other steelband music recordings in its class.
This body of musical work is a must-have for the fans, educators, players, historians and fine music collectors. music collectors.
Web Site - PanOnTheNet.com - Steelpan Music - News, Business, History and Entertainment
Headlines - When Steel Talks Up to Minute News
Global Steelpan News - Breaking Steelpan Music News From All Over the Globe
