Blog 2.0

It is now official, Duvone Stewart will take the BP Renegades Steel
Orchestra to the Savannah for Panorama 2K12. The popular Charlotte Street band
has won the national competition on nine occasions (including a hatric between
1995 and 1997) with arrangements by its former musical director, Dr Jit
Samaroo. Since Dr Samaroo’s retirement in 2007, the band has been out of the
top three placing but according to its President, Michael Marcano, is determined
to stick to its policy of using home grown arrangers. Amrit, son of Dr Samaroo,
worked on the band’s panorama arrangements in 2008 and 2009; Kenneth Guppy took
over in 2010 and 2011; now its Duvone’s turn to show what he is made of,
quipped Marcano. Amrit, Kenneth, and Duvone are all former players with the
band and together with Desmond Waithe have worked on the band’s stage-side, Pan
in the 21 Century, and Steelband Music Festival presentations since Jit's retiremeent.

Duvone Stewart hails from Tobago. He came to Trinidad at the age of
eighteenth and became a member of the Renegades Steel Orchestra. He was schooled
in music theory and practical piano from the age of six and learnt to master
the steel pan at age eight, playing with the Tobago All Stars Steel Orchestra. In
1986, he won the ‘Trinidad and Tobago Television’s 12 & Under Competition
and was awarded a trip to Disney Land. This trip motivated him to enter the Trinidad
and Tobago Steel Pan Junior Soloist Competition in 1987 where he placed fifth.

Since then, he has participated in and won several soloist competition including the Trinidad and

Tobago TeenTalent Competition, the Tobago Music Festival, and the San Fernando Music
Festival which he won four years in a row from 1989 to1992. In 1992, he also
participated in the Trinidad and Tobago School’s Music Festival as a soloist
and placed third. He followed this in 1993 with an appearance at the World Steel Pan Festival

where he placed fifth.

In1995, Stewart won the Tobago’s Scouting for Talent Competition, and Later that
year, won the Trinidad and Tobago Pan Ramajay Soloist Competition, as well as
the AVM Steel Pan Soloist Competition. The following year he placed 2nd in the
Pan Ramajay Competition and the soloist category of the ‘World Steel Pan
Festival, two competitions that he went on to win in 1998, 2000 and 2002.

Stewart started his own band, the NFM Pantasy, a six piece steel ensemble in
2000 and thus began his career as an arranger. In 2001, he arranged for the
single pan band, La Horquetta (L. H.) Pan Groove in the Trinidad and Tobago
National Panorama Competition and has since piloted them to five consecutive
Panorama titles between 2007 and 2010 (the only arranger to achieve this feat
in the history of the Competition). In 2011 he again won the competition this
time arranging for the San Juan East Side Symphony Steelband.

Duvonne has arranged for several other conventional steelbands in Trinidad and
Tobago including Merrytones, Solo Pan Knights, Our Boys Steel Orchestra. On the
international front, he has arranged for Harmony Steel Orchestra in New York,
‘Big Pan’ Pan Groove in Germany, Piton Diamond Steel Orchestra in St. Lucia and
Calypso Atlantic, and Pan de Montangac of France. He has also captured first place

twelve times at different competitions over the years.
place twelve times at different competitions over the years.

I believe that things have never been better for pan players and steel bands. With the convergence of social media marketing, this is a fantastic time for talented players to develop their networks and extend their profiles online. The biggest challenge with this is how to develop a USP and differentiate from the next band who is doing the same thing.

It is no different from a sports car designer, or fashion designer or bridal wear company, or Tablet PC manufacturer competing in their individual sectors. If you do an image search for steel bands or steel drum bands on Google, you will see how 90% follow the same line of thinking. You may even see 3 or 4 wearing tropical shirts from the same supplier. A software upgrade is needed, maybe a new hard drive also. The same solution can be applied to the other 4 sectors mentioned above. 

All the top steel bands in London have been upgrading their websites and demos and extending their reach online, almost like someone adding lipstick and high heels to stand out. Big Sand has also launched a basic Youtube promo:

Going forward, I see more synergies with talented players, web designers and other cloud assets to refine the services. The top bands will become more like brands and the music will be of a much higher standard. At present, there are too many amateurs on Youtube and too many talented people who are stuck in a time warp. The talented people need to collaborate and the amateurs need to develop their skills before showing their hand.

I would be delighted to hear your views on any of this.

bigsands

Ask “Boogsie,” not “Lexo” 
 

Why the abuse of songwriter/lyricist Anthony “Lexo” Alexis by a “Boogsie” goon? Why? What has “Lexo” done wrong? If pan people want the facts about the break-up, they should ask Len “Boogsie” Sharpe... not “Lexo.” If I know “Boogsie” as well as I do, he has nothing to do with this primitive behaviour, by a disciple who feels aggrieved with “Lexo” linking up with Jason “Peanuts” Isaac. Both men are riding a wave of success with “Pan Turbulence,” the first of many efforts.
 

I have been reliably informed the “Lexo” broke none of the agreements - verbal or legal - over the years. Ask “Boogsie” what happened, or what he has done to sever the bond of Panorama’s most successful combination.  These men were magical.  Here's their success chart:
2002 - Do What You Want
2003 - Music In We Blood
2004 - We like To Play
2005 - Trini Gorn Wild
2006 - This one’s For U, Bradley
2007 - Sharing Licks
 

In 2008 “Lexo” sat on the sidelines. He moved away from “Boogsie.” Both men clashed over money matters. In 2009 a reconciliation effort resumed with both men planning a ‘together again’ song to signal their return to roots. What happened?  “Boogsie’s” creditability took a beating as he switched his “Magic Drum” to Kernel Roberts. The writing was on the wall. Another attempt was made at reconciliation, but it fell flat.
 

“Lexo” has moved on, and a Phase II goon, with his breath smelling like carbide, should stop behaving like we are living in the age of ignorance, because “Lexo” could mix it up if it becomes necessary. I am telling you. Get off his back!
 

We pass that stage.
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Steelband Music Festival in 2012?
 

The postponement of the Steelband Music Festival is a blessing in disguise for Pan Trinbago. It now affords the national body the opportunity to stage a bumper festival with all the big bands signing on.  I have said it once, and will say it again - big bands must participate in the Festival. The last festival held in 2008 was pathetic in terms of turn-out.  I was there at the Jean Pierre Complex.  You want to tell me there are 7,000 panmen and the Festival buss? Panmen have money for everything else, except supporting Pan Trinbago events.  For them, Pan is only Panorama and the stipend. I say to hell with that approach.  They quick to pass they mouth on President Diaz and his executive.  Is this fair?
 

However, Pan Trinbago now has the opportunity to plan a bigger and brighter Festival with the big bands in the fray. I am talking about Despers, All Stars and Phase II.  Stop the pussyfooting. Let us look at August, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), as the country celebrates 50 years. With the momentum of the Panorama at their backs, bands can move into Festival gear. Let us go for it!

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Nominations for Pan Buzz Awards

Remember to send in your nominations for the various Pan Buzz Heroes Awards, Top Ten Pan Songs, Arranger of the Year and Pan Song of the year.  Send them to:  Keithos_6@hotmail.com

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Until next week, wherever you are in Steelband World, keep loving up The Pan!

Clarence Curvan was one of the top Trinidadian musicians / bandleaders to emerge from the Caribbean in the nineteen sixties.

As the post war generation came of age, a fresh new sound of music emerged in Trinidad, and the Clarence Curvan Orchestra, featuring Clarence on drums was at the forefront of that musical revolution.

Clarence Curvan was born in Port of Spain, and grew up on St Vincent street a stone's throw from the Old Brigade calypso tent, separated from the tent  by a galvanized iron fence. 

According to Clarence, he grew up with calypso in his bones, since from the age of six he would peek through a hole in the fence at the activities in the nearby calypso tent.

Through the hole he managed to experience performances by many legendary calypsonians, including icons like Lord and Lady Iere,Sir Galba, Spoiler, Spitfire,Growler, Lion, Attila the Hun, and many others.

When he grew older, he got his parent's permission to visit the calypso tent, and was mesmerized by the singers and musicians. This  sparked his interest in music, and as a result, he started playing the piano, but soon became interested in percussion.

In the late fifties, the Cyril Diaz orchestra was the main backup band for calypsonians, and Clarence gladly accepted  a request by Cyril Diaz( and the Mighty Sparrow) to join the band's rhythm section.

In 1960, Clarence started his own band, and by the time he released his first record which was a guitar driven version of Chet Atkin's "Teensville", the band had established itself as one of the top bands in the land.

His band introduced several young musicians who were to become legends of the Trinidad music scene, including Beverly Griffith, Roy Cape, Ron Berridge, Conrad Little and others. 

However, of all the musicians that he played with, he had the most praise for the talents of guitarist Freddie Harris, who according to Clarence, seemed to be born with a special gift.

He remembers some of Freddie's guitar solos to this day.

His first dozen releases all topped the local music charts, and his "610 Saga" set the record for  topping the NBS radio chart for the longest time .He also backed up calypso performances and  recordings, and worked with singers such as Power, Shadow, Nap Hepburn,Brynner, Pancho and many others.

Not surprisingly, Clarence was also involved with the steelbands.

 He played bass with Starland Steel Orchestra, and, ever the leader, he soon became the band's captain.

Unfortunately he had to give up the steelband, when leading two bands became too much of a chore.

In the mid sixties, the music changed, and so did the band's membership. Clarence changed direction, and his band became the first sponsored dance band in T&T, when Fernandes (Vat 19) sponsored his band, and he received a contract to play at the Choy Aming Penthouse in Port of Spain.

One of his new members was the late legendary pan arranger Clive Bradley. Bradley replaced Beverly Griffith as keyboardist and arranger, and his arrangements took the band to a new, more soulful direction, since one of the duties of the newly reconstituted band was backing up visiting American soul and pop artists, like Percy Sledge. and others.

In 1969, Clarence accepted an offer to take his band to the Bahamas, where because of his expertise in the soul music genre, his band  supported visiting soul singers like Clarence Carter,Johnny Taylor, Tyrone Davis, Betty Wright, and many others.

As a testament to Clarence's musical versatility,he was pleasantly surprised to find that one of his recordings was currently getting airplay in Germany, where it was recently re-released  as part of a compilation album celebrating American Funk music of the late sixties and early seventies.
The tune, "Feeling Nice" is the featured tune on the CD "Feeling Nice Vol.1" which was released in June of this year on the Tramp Germany label.

For all his musical accomplishments, Clarence remains humble and accessible, and is effusive in his praises to former band mates like Ron Berridge, Beverly Griffith and Roy Cape, with whom he has personal relationships to this day.

Clarence Curvan moved to New York in 1970, and he continues to be involved with music and culture.

He has traveled the world as an unofficial Trinidad cultural ambassador, judging calypso and steelband competitions from Europe to the US to the Caribbean.

Thank you, Clarence Curvan for your music and for your contributions to our Caribbean culture..

Hello to all pan lovers,

                                Only today, I Learned that Nu Tones placed 4th at panorama 1983. I would like to get the name of the aranger.

                                                                                   Thank You All

Hit up this web site for products, services, information and more all related to steel pan! http://definitepitchsteelpans.com

What a pleasant surprise. 

http://youtu.be/aag_nZ425vw

http://www.steelpanjazzfestival.com/sheets/THE_INTERNATIONAL_STEELPAN_JAZZ_CHALLENGE_GUIDELINES2.pdf

Anybody?

PAN TUNERS IN THE DARK AGES 
 

If I had my way, I will hit every Pan tuner a hot bullpistle; similar to the one Kitch threatened to dispense on the backs of steelband men in the heady days of steelband riots. Now don’t get me wrong. We have long passed that stage. Now when I hear tuners complaining, I wonder if they are still in the Dark Ages. Haven’t they heard about the co-operative effort? Or is it that they so taken up in their own business, that they forget unity is strength?
 

Pan tuners and arrangers are the kings of Pan. I don’t begrudge them for the money they make, especially around Carnival time, Panorama to be exact. Why can’t a few of these get together and form their own co-operative and import their drums, rather than cry every year like an abandoned child? Pepe Francis, President of the British Association of Steelbands (BAS) has already said that drums, designed drums, are available in England (Coventry), Denmark and Holland.
 

He said there are also drums made to order. Pan tuners must take a leaf from the book of the crab; because if the crab don’t walk, the crab don’t eat. So if the National Petroleum machine to make drums stay down for three more months, what will they do? Play with their wiggies.
 

Come on, Pan tuners; wake up and take the bull by the horns; organise yourself, and as my daughter Tamu would say “get with the project.”

Ref:  Steeldrum Shortage

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CONGRATS TO THE ‘OX’
 

Congrats go out to Allan Oxley who has now entered the fray of composing for the Pan. His debut effort “Heavy on Pan - a Tribute to Kitch” is very musical and entertaining and shows what could be achieved with determination. Allan, a keyboardist with Shandileer in its heyday, moves like he has molasses flowing through his veins. Allan has a slow wine now, but the man used to ‘pelt waist’ (or is it waste?) when he was playing the keyboard. Local TV station Channel 4 in Trinidad runs a video which, upon reflection, this former acolyte will be ashamed of. No wonder why he was excommunicated by the Pope and thrown out the Vatican. He always intrigues me for one so talented. There isn’t a thing Allan can’t do musically. This son of a breadfruit is musically gifted. We can expect bigger and better things from this master craftsman. I make no apologies for what is said in this copy...who vex lorse.”

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SEND IN YOUR CHOICES...
 

Pan people, remember: nominations for the third edition of the PAN BUZZ AWARDS are still open. Don’t forget to send in your choices for: Pan Song of the Year, Arranger of the Year, and the Allan Gervais Pan Heroes Award.  Send choices to:  Keithos_6@hotmail.com.

Thanks to the people who enjoyed my analysis of the 2011 NY Panorama, and who still love tha Buzz. Thanks again to Mr. Rannie Babb and his energetic team for hosting the Pan Buzz.

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NEXT WEEK:  “LEXO” UNDER THE GUN
 

Wherever you are in the Pan World; keep loving up The Pan.

Hi, a discussion with Hameed Shaque and others was about the name of the tune played on Radio Trinidad at 5.30 am and the composer.Two past employees (the present did not know) confirmed that the name was CALL OF THE KISKIDEE and the composer was UMILTA McSHINE. All they could say is that the soloist was from Woodbrook.Someone said Ormand "Patsy" Haynes, but I don't know where he was from.

Gerard Clarke

Endless stories have been told about the struggles of the steel band, the panmen, and their rise from the ashes of hooliganism and banishment. These battle weary soldiers, forged from the love of steel, in the fires of the backyard, dry river, and panyard, are very versed and rehearsed in accepting and overcoming challenges. Since those hard felt days of the pan struggle, pan has attained some measures of acclamation such as, acceptance into the archives of global music, as the sole percussive instrument invented in the 20^th Century, and locally, the proverbial discarded oil drum, has achieved the status of, the National Instrument of Trinidad and Tobago

Additionally, the studies of the University of the West Indies, [St Augustine campus], professors, researchers and technocrats, have just a few years ago produced, the G and PHI pans, taking the steel pan instrument to the heights previous innovators attempted to reach, because clearly, these new and improved steel pan concepts are hinged to backyard experiments,  attempted by many of our pioneers for example  Anthony Williams, Bertie Marshall and Rudolph Charles, and conducted minus government or corporate funding, and, cutting edge technology

Today, against the backdrop of a State of Emergency, and its impending laws and restrictions, the panmen have accepted yet another challenge, which is that of support for, and participation in, the 2011 edition of the 10^th annual, Trinidad and Tobago Steel Pan & Jazz Festival, an event which is a homegrown fundraising product of the Queen’s Royal College [QRC] Foundation. This festival, apart from the”pan jazz” element, carries two underlying objectives which are: the showcasing of an undying commitment to place the national instrument at the pinnacle of the musical realm, and offering the youth of the nation the opportunity to enhance their music literacy skills, through workshops facilitated by local and foreign, tertiary level musicians, steel pan, and jazz greats.

The beginnings of this festival stem from a simplistic fund raising activity, highlighting the steel pan, with a mixture of local and foreign artistes. These one nighters such as, Simply Music and Here Comes the King, generated some distinctive energy and creativity, and in 2001, the first edition of Pan Royale signaled the growth of the event, from a one night stand, to multiple shows over extended periods. This unique product is pregnant with potential, especially since some international music journalists and performers, have rated this festival very highly, in terms of its components, musical content, and event management, as a cut above some of the big name jazz festivals regionally and internationally

This year the QRC foundation, with the usual consistency and innovativeness, has decided to push the envelope even further. Based on sound organization and management skills, and the qualities of creativity, entrepreneurship and calculated risk taking, the festival has assumed a competitive format titled, the “International Steel Pan Jazz Challenge”, which is definitely an out of the box competition for steel bands. There is some attractive prize money to be had, totaling $150,000, but there is also a twist to this competition, to take us away from the Panorama big band syndrome.

Firstly, regardless of the size or status of the band; they must select or pull together an 8 to 12 piece ensemble, under the respective band’s name. However, this group must comprise, inclusive of a drummer, a mixture of no less than 50% of steel pan instruments, and any set of conventional instruments. Further to this, competing bands must choose and play from a slate of scored calypso classics, with a jazz idiom. The qualifying round is carded for Sunday October 16^th in the big yard, Queen’s Park Savannah, featuring 13 bands, from which the top 6 bands will progress to the final

With Pan Down Memory Lane, Pan in the 21st Century, and Pan is Beautiful canceled indefinitely, the stage is surely set for an interesting showdown, where there are no small, medium and large band categories. It should also be noted that ranked outsiders, the smaller bands and their arrangers, are busy planning to beat the daylights out of the top seeded bands, especially since their size does not afford them this opportunity otherwise. They can now go toe to toe with the heavy weights; there is no class or handicaps, no 100 players or bigger sound, the big yard is now level

what’s the buzz?
 

First let me apologise to readers of the Pan Buzz for not keeping up to date on things “Pan.”  The Buzz had a few challenges, but those are in the past. I promised you the David “Happy” Williams interview so here goes.

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“Happy”  is ‘sad’ over pan songs
 

Veteran bassist/composer and singer, David “Happy” Williams is sad over the level of “Pan song” composing, and hopes that composers will put more effort into their songs.  He is not enthusiastic over the idea of everybody washing his or her feet and jumping into the arena.  He wants “quality and not quantity.”
 

An outspoken commentator, “Happy” told The Buzz that he quit the Pan song arena, because he felt unwelcome in the zone, and unimpressed with the quality of songs people were going crazy over.  Now, excellence is a “Happy” trait and there is no compromise; even it if means bowing out.  “Happy” thinks the Pan song arena has now become a ‘hustle;’ and Len “Boogsie” Sharpe is a victim of that “Hustle.”
 

He said the innovative composer (Len “Boogsie” Sharpe) of such great songs as “Pan Rising,” “‘79 is Mine,” “Rags To Riches,” “Rock It With Pan” and others is a victim of the “hustle.”  He feels Boogsie’s creativity has taken a beating, and is at its lowest ebb.
 

However, “Happy” is happy with young composers coming into the arena, but urges them to give their songs structure and melody.  “Pan song have no life after Carnival,” he reminded.
 

“Happy” is best known for compositions: “Happy’s Story,” “Ping Pong Obsessions,” “The Sprit” and others.

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ADLIB Steel Orchestra, 2011 New York Panorama champions during their winning performance

First place could have gone either way...
 

The result of the recent New York Panorama can be compared to a two-horse race at a photo-finish.  Really.  Pan Buzz has no problem with who won. In my respectful view, the judges’ decision could have gone either way.  I cool with that.  First, let me congratulate the evergreen Rannie [Randolph] Babb (pictured) for hosting Pan Buzz and his team.  Thanks, Rannie!  That said, let me get dong (my word) to brass tacks.
 

The show was fantastic, the atmosphere electric, just like Panorama in Port-of-Spain.  I understand this show is growing by leaps and bounds, and it won’t be long before a band from Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, decides to take on the best of New York on the Panorama turf, the grounds of the Brooklyn Museum.
 

Pan Buzz will give his views as follows:

Sesame Flyers:  First of all, “Advantage” (Kernel Roberts/Machel Montano) was a difficult choice to execute, and there Sesame Flyers lost their ‘Advantage.’ They sounded good like the rooster in my backyard but something was missing.  Nevertheless it was a spirited performance.

Boston Metro:  Was smooth and musical with “Soca Night” (Nap Hepburn), but they were more like playing in a funeral, sorry, Music festival.  The performance lacked the spirit of Carnival.

Pan Sonatas:  Created a nice, lively mood; but their performance suffered from a lack of fluency into the passages.  It sounded disjointed.  Nevertheless they were all Showtime ‘bedecked’ (nice word eh?) in their glitter.
 

The ’Radoes:  Was lively and entertaining with Benjai’s “Trini,” but could consider themselves unlucky.

CrossFire:  Leon “Foster” Thomas [arranger] is still learning his craft;  with a little patience, he and CrossFire will get there.

Pantonic:  Was sweet like Caroni brown sugar; like Boston Metro, they lacked the spirit of the occasion.

CASYM:  Their performance was all energy and captured all the ingredients of a Panorama with “Doh Be On Dat.”  The band was on song with a flawless performance; until - ADLIB.

Andre White and ADLIB:  Gave the judges something to think about with Len “Boogsie” Sharpe’s  “Do Something for Pan”

Harmony:  Was a total disappointment, and the less said, the better.

Despers USA:  Was expected to deliver a death-blow, but with Trini delivered a whimper.  On J’Ouvert morning on Nostrand Avenue, the band was more lively and dominating.

The NY Panorama was great. I can’t wait for the next edition. However, a prize should be given to the winner for the Best Costuming. CrossFire was outstanding.  Maybe the organisers might want to grab this idea?

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CONGRATS
 

Pan Buzz sends greetings and congrats to Mr. Patrick Arnold (pictured), the former President of Pan Trinbago on attaining the Chaconia (Gold) for his dedicated service to the Steelband and the movement in general.

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So wherever you are in Pan’s Diaspora, keep loving up The Pan.

The talk about Town is that the NAPA Building in Port Of Spain is to be named after Dr. Pat Bishop and rightfully so . The NAPA building in San Fernando is almost completed and should be opened in the very near future . My question is , who is going to be Honored by having this facility named after them . Many have made tremendous contributions to the Arts so careful considerations have to be undertaken before a final decision is taken . South in general and San Fernando in particular  have had Great Performers in Dance, Calypso , Acting , Indian Folk Arts , Chutney Music , Classical Music and Song , Folk Music and Song  and many , many more . The wealth of Talent is enormous but to my mind the one that did the most for the South and San Fernando is BOBBY MOHAMED and his band Cavaliers Steel Orchestra . This combination brought a new sound and styling to the Pan World with an Energy Level never before experienced . Bobby was not just a PanMan but an Arranger and Composer Extraordinaire who used his Talent to create Music which had the entire T+T in Awe and that from a very young age . The Pride and Recognition which they brought to the us could never be quantified and his accomplishments were by far the Greatest we have on record to date . He is still composing, adjudicating and active in the Pan World and is always ready to pass on his vast knowledge to those who seek it . It is my opinion that the San Fernando NAPA facility be named after BOBBY MOHAMED as a gesture of our Appreciation and Recognition for all he and Cavaliers have done for us .I do not think that any PanMan was ever celebrated in this manner so I am asking that all Pan Players both past and present support this idea so as to make it a reality and a fitting Tribute to our San Fernando Hero BOBBY MOHAMED . I do hope that this reaches Pan Trinbago so that they as the Governing body for Pan would lobby those charged with this decision making to have it named after this illustrious Southerner . Bobby deserves this and he is still here so lets try our utmost best to have it achieved . I welcome all responses so please do . Thanks .