Kudos to Pan Trinbago & the Steel Orchestras at Tobago's Pan in the Countryside.

[Ian Franklin]

On Saturday July 6th, the pan fans at "Pan in the Countryside" at Speyside, Tobago were treated to a wide array of music from, The National Instrument of Trinidad and Tobago.  The show commenced after 4:pm with beautiful renditions from New Vision Steel Orchestra, of the Single Pan Category.  Next up was the Uptown Fascinators Steel Orchestra, of the Small Bands Category with arrangements from the up and coming pannist/ arranger, Leeandro Noray.  I was told that some of the young pannist just began playing the pan 3 weeks ago.  Next up was, Tobago Panthers, who moved up from the Single to Small Category.  Their renditions were done by Robert Tobitt, who inter travelled on weekends for three weeks.  The leaders of the first three Steel Orchestras all allowed respective members to display their soloing attributes, who handled them well.  We were next treated by Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra, of the Medium Category.  They caught the audience with the classical piece, "Air on a G String" which was arranged by Derrick Nurse, and continued awing the appreciated pan fans with their wide reperatoire.  The last to perform was Desperadoes, which gave the pan fans 10 of its standards and topped off with "Rebecca." The band's  reperatoire included arrangements from a junior player Nathaniel Flemming, and Ricky "Andre" Robley who placed 2nd at the St. Vincent Panorama behind Seion Gomez.  Desperadoes attempted to make a statement by commencing with "In My House," but the house also belonged to the other performers especially Katzenjammers.  Kudos to the familiar faces from the Trinidad and Tobago pan diaspora who were there.  We pan fans are looking forward to 2014. Love, Peace and Pan

[Leeandro Noray]

Thanks for the article Sir and it was my pleasure meeting you, thanks to when steel talks for the platform to meet fellow panists...

[ed cee]

So wonderful to hear about this session. I would certainly have liked to have been there. The continued best to the young  arrangers such as Nathaniel and Andre. Congratulations to Andre for his success in St. Vincent.