Lost another lifetime fan of Trinidad Allstars, R.I.P. Conrad Hardin Lezama.
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March 2013 - Crystal Lake, Illinois - www.steelpanfestival.com - Announcing to an audience of enthusiasts, musicians, aspiring artists, fans, and all community sponsors. The launch of the First Annual Great Lakes Steelpan Festival, one of the only 100% educational festivals in the world.
Have you ever experienced the true sound of steelpan in person? Are you an aspiring artist seeking to learn the history and the art of steelpan music and instrument? A desire to learn from the innovators and creators of this sound and art? Well the Great Lakes Steelpan Festival is designed for you. This one day only educational event will showcase workshops:
- Being a freelance musician and composing for the steelpan by Gary Gibson
- Steelpan approach in jazz and the amazing story of Bertie Marshall by Clyde "Lightning" George
- Ellie Mannette's firsthand experience in creating the dynamic history of the instrument!
Imagine for a moment if you had the opportunity to meet Stradivarius, or shake hands and talk with Einstein. Would you pass such a moment or opportunity up? Of course not. The opportunity to sit with a master and innovator of their field, is truly an awe inspiring opportunity. Now you can have yours! Not many legends are truly recognized for greatness in their lifetime, but Dr. Ellie Mannette is one of the fortunate few, and you have that opportunity at GLSF 2013!
The Great Lakes Steelpan Festival is your opportunity for total immersion into the art. Understanding and experiencing the history from those that created it and will educate you directly on it. In addition to the powerful workshops, the festival is also offering clinics for participating bands:
- One hour with a clinician with your prepared pieces. Feedback, instruction, and mentoring onsite!
- In addition the artists can choose one hour with the clinician. Secondarily, they choose to manage their time to where the last fifteen minutes of the session for you to get a recording of their pieces.
- There are also 30 minute spots available for soloists and small groups (1-3 performers) to perform and get feedback from Gary Gibson.
- To register, go to http://steelpanfestival.com/registration/
This is the powerful side of the education. Nothing can take the place of getting real life instruction and successful feedback from those that have perfected the art. This festival is designed for every workshop and every clinic to bring the music to life and history.
The festival is filled with education, but also offers an amazing finale to the day. The guest artists will be putting on a concert for all those in attendance. The culmination of a day of musical education like no other. The opportunity to feel, hear, and experience the power of steelpan, firsthand.
To take part in this steelpan extravaganza, ticket and scheduling information is available right now at http://www.steelpanfestival.eventbrite.com. This must attend event is filling quickly. This momentous day of education, performance, and meeting legends will be a the start to another great page in the book of spreading the steelpan and it's rich history. It's all happening on April 13th, 2013 so click on the URL above and get connected. The Great Lakes Steelpan Festival and legends of the industry await!
back in the day, if i listen to a panorama tune a few times, i could jump on a pan and play some of the licks, from memory, I know I am getting old, but I still have that ability, I was given a rough track by a jazz band once and my first take was perfect, that was the final take and we only did a second one just for so, I jumped in a panyard and started playing a piece of their panorama tune in Brooklyn, if I go to you tube and listen to calypsoes and panorama tunes I never hear from back in the 90's go back, next day I could mout some of the arrangement, but panorama tunes now, there is a notable lack of "assault on the senses" as Dalton Narine used to describe it, there is little or no show stoppers, and a total lack of climax to the music, the way bands disconnected from the theme of the pieces it was no surprise that phase II won they stuck to the theme,boogsie tried a show stopper but it was too brief, and the parts were still a little abstract, I wonder if the 8 minute limit, is making arrangers not give extra play to their sweet parts, that helps to make you want to sing the lines, I know its not just me because I observe that young people who were not born yet humming and mouthing older panorama pieces when it is played, but silent when a recent tune is played,so my question is has Panorama music gotten too abstract?
I am from Laventille and my favourite Steel Orchestra is Desperadoes. However, I am not bias; my love is for honesty and PAN over any BAND. My beloved Desperadoes do not seem to know what is honour, loyalty or appreciation. Mr. Rupert Phillip, a member of Desperadoes since 1962, passed on in December of 2012. Rupert, is the only member that performed at 99% of all the band's various functions from 1962 through 2012. Rupert, is the only percussionist and only member of Desperadoes that performed at all 50 Panorama Preliminaries from 1963 through 2012. Rupert, is the only Desperadoes member that performed at 43 of the 44 Panorama Semi Finals from 1968 to 2012. Rupert, is the only Desperadoes member and the only person that performed at 45 of the 49 Panorama Finals from 1963 to 2012. I asked someone in management, why the band did not ask for a minute of silence for Rupert at the Semi Finals? The answer was, we will look into that at the Finals. {yea right} it never happened. Not even 10 seconds for Rupert.
My wife has said to me on many an occasion, why I do not stop getting involved with Desperadoes' business. But as I stated prior, PAN and PRINCIPLE is bigger than any band.
It is only around carnival time we hear so much about pan what about the rest of the year. It is time the powers that be begin to make some waves in this country to have something done for pan and panmen, After all this is our national instrument. the only one created in the 20th century. Let us stand up and begin discussions to have have pan more on the front burner not only at carnival time.Lets join together people and do something for pan in Trinidad and Tobago.
SONS OF STEEL ROCKS TORONTO! UP NEXT... TRINIDAD & CAYMAN ISLANDS !!
The Armenian centre was blown away Saturday July 14th, 2012 with the performance of three brothers in the ‘Sons of Steel’ concert featuring Noel, Earl Jr. and Olujimi La Pierre. 'Sons of Steel' kicked off in Toronto with a grand opening performance, which left the audience clapping and singing to each song played by the talented and skillful brothers.
The show opened with Earl La Pierre Jr. the extraordinary steel pannist , also known as Eman for his Mc and promotional skills. He played selections from I Will Always Love You, The Lady In My Life, I Wanna Rock With You, Goat Mouth and others. After warming up the crowd, the stage was graced with one of the pioneers of steelpan music in Canada and the Cayman Island, Mr. Earl La Pierre Senior, who demonstrated his years of aptitude.
Ending the first half was the Boy Wonder himself all the way from the Cayman Island, Olujimi La Pierre, offering his versatility and skill on the steelpan, as he played songs like Wings Breath My Wings, Just The Two Of Us , High Mas and more.
After a rocking first half, the show continued to thrill the audience as Noel La Pierre, COTT award recipient bought his ‘Trini’ flavor to the stage with his wonderful artistry on the steelpan in his selections Inspiration, Morning, Between The Sheets and My Passion.
The show climaxed with a grand finale performance which made history placing both father and sons on the same stage, for the first time ever, ringing out the the soca hit ‘Bacannalist’.
The steelpan soloists were all backed by the multitalented Liamuiga Project featuring Bruce Skerritt, Andrew Stewart, Tony Pierre, Larnell Lewis, and chorus Ralph Robinson and Onika Coar.
The ‘Sons Of Steel’ concert was a concept created to bring together three unique style. The annual show was dedicated to the living memory of Norma Adele Peter, their grandmother, who the family described as the foundation and pillar that held everything together.
The Sons Of Steel will be travelling to Trinidad and Tobago in January 2013 to perform at the Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre, followed by a final concert in April in the Cayman Islands.
The brother’s wish to thank their family and friends as well as their sponsors Pan Arts Network (P.A.N), AfroPan Steelpan, Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre, Proman Ag Trinidad and Tobago and Pantrinibago for all the support.
For more information on Sons of Steel please contact 1-416-953-0905 / 1-868-484-3923.
I was watching the New Age Trendsetters Preliminary 2013 video and it brought a few questions to my mind. I will start by admitting that I do not know as much about single pan as I would like to, and have had difficulties finding much useful information. I am looking to start a single pan band for local schools and want to be as accurate to Trinidad styling as possible.
Here are my questions:
Are most single pans set up in the same manner? I am well aware of the differences between layouts in non-single pan layouts, so I expect there to be some variation, but is there a common layout used by most of the single seconds, single guitars and single basses?
Are there other voices that I did not mention?
I notice the children playing dudup in the back, are those each tuned differently and each kid has their two notes to play to create a bass line, or are they all doing V-I in a single key the entire tune?
Sorry for my ignorance, but single pan was not discussed at NIU and I have not been able to find much information out about different layouts. If anybody can shed some light on this for me, I would appreciate it. If anybody has layout they would be willing to show me that would be phenomenal! As mentioned above, I am planning on starting a single pan band with the schools in my area in order get more kids involved in pan. I would like to stay as true to Trinidad styling as possible and your help in educating me would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt Potts
Here is a great review that was written up with some of the details on the Toys for Toys benefit concert that Potts & Pans Steelband put on just before Christmas. It's great when pan can be used to give back to the community like this!
Young Pan Santas
and
Big Hearts
SILHOUETTES STEEL ORCHESTRA
The Silhouettes Steel Orchestra is a popular, long -standing steel band in Toronto, founded in 1979 under the leadership of Danny Mosca. His son, Mark Mosca arranges for the band and ensures it continues to be a strong contender at annual Steel Pan competitions in Toronto.
Over the past 32 years this orchestra has performed at various functions in Canada and the USA, including the St. Catherine’s Grape and Wine and Stratford Festivals.
The Silhouettes organization aspires to foster love, friendship and family values. This year and over the last twenty four weeks the Silhouettes Steel band and Community Organization has expanded its wings to include a youth steelband program with the purpose;
- to develop young pan musicians and use the art form to improve and expand learning opportunities for our youth. The objective of the program is to ensure that our young members learn the essential skills necessary to realize musical success as well as to gain those life skills; pertinent to assisting them to navigate positively
through life challenges.
Thus far, our youth program has participated in two musical recitals and a Christmas fund-raising concert.
Saturday 8, December 2012 at 11:00am at the Mc Cowan Street Fire Station, the organization once again displayed its’ loyalty and commitment to our community by collecting and presenting several boxes of toys to the local fire department.
For the previous 8weeks the organization has been involved in a Christmas toy drive to provide for less fortunate families in the community. This initiative has been a success in 2 ways. Firstly, the effort has encouraged and brought about considerable contributions which shine a light on the generosity of our community. Secondly, the youth involvement in this endeavour has ensured the development of many learning opportunities which we know will pay great dividends in developing their academic, as well as their emotional intelligence.
This initiative was undertaken in partnership with the local fire department.The collaboration we hope will be an annual event.
The Leadership aspires to continue to encourage and engage our membership to pursue their dreams and aspirations to become productive citizens.
Silhouettes Youth Pan Music Program is directed by Layne Clarke. Pan classes are scheduled to resume in January 2013.
Please contact us for more information about all programs and events.
“ A MAGICAL EVENING IN A TWILIGHT”
A magical evening of Pan & Parang music indeed was displayed on Sunday 2nd December 2012 at the Twilight Restaurant located on the South east corner of Nugget Rd and Mc Cowan Ave in Scarborough, Toronto. This event was created by the Silhouettes Steelband and Cultural Community Organization and was produced by ENYAL Pan Music Productions.
The collaboration certainly worked. The success was evident according to the performances from all the performing groups which were masterfully delivered and readily received by the 250-300 attendees who ate up the music like a deliciously prepared West Indian Dish constructed with all the tasty Caribbean spices, ingrediances with all the intricacies. The atmosphere was quite reminiscent of a Caribbean Christmas Lime with family and friends celebrating the season with good music, food, “ole talk” and dance.
The first half of the program began with a skilful presentation by Pannist, Taurean Clarke, who delivered a jazzy repertoire of Christmas and popular standards which set the tone for the events to come.
This was followed by confident performances by Silhouettes Youth Steelband Assembles and Chamber Programs whose members diligently toiled for eight, one and a half hours’ sessions to perfect their 5 songs repertoire to present for the event. Congratulations go out to our Level one and two youth members who demonstrated commitment, teamwork, integrity, intelligence and maturity to understand the magnitude of the task set out for them to achieve success. According to the instructor, Layne Clarke, “they certainly surpassed expectations” and the same sentiment was echoed by several proud parents, audience participants, as well as, the founder of the organization, Danny Mosca.
The Second half of the program commenced with the thunderous sounds of the senior band lead by the fearless and talented arranger and pan soloist, Mark Mosca who delivered a repertoire of Parang and Christmas standards; arranged rich with rhythmic and harmonic allure and intrigue which captivated the audience every step of the way. The superb techniques, smiles and confidence of the members certainly assisted in embellishing the arrangements which translated well with expression and emotions to the audience.
The formal program concluded with the launching of a new Parang band appropriately named,“ Los Pan-didos Amigos” which consists of a group of talented music professionals who came together for the soul purpose of lending their musical prowess in support of the Silhouettes Organization‘s fundraising initiative. Needless to say the launching was a success and the band well received . This would hardly been possible without the extremely talented and accomplished lead vocalist, Alana Milne. The backup musicians included Dennis Renwick, lead guitar, Andy Phillips, bass, Mark Mosca, keyboard, Layne Clarke, alto pan , Gareth Burgess, Drums and Elton Jones, percussion.
Thanks to the many other musicians who came out and joined the effort in support of this cause..
The Silhouettes Cultural Organization and Enyal Pan Productions would like to thank all the members of the performing groups.
A Silhouettes Steel band and Cultural Community Organization Production
Produced by: ENYAL Pan Music Productions
Mr. Ruppert Phillip a member of Desperadoes since 1962 has passed on.
Rupert, was a percussionist who was the only one that performed at all 50 Panorama Preliminaries and 45 of the 49 Panorama Finals.
He was formerly a member of Serenaders, but was recruited by the late Mr. Rudolph Charles in 1962. Mr. Rupert Phillip was also the brother of Mr. Elias "Pjue" Phillip one of Desperadoes noted Double Second Pannist.
I enjoyed Rupert's work especially on Desperadoes' 1966 Double LP.
My personal condolences to the family of Mr. Rupert Phillip. (RIP)
I only today, Sunday received a copy of the financial report of PTB, wow, could we as supporters of the steel pan fraternity take some time to discuss the contents of the reports. I am no financial analyst, but some simple (sums) (arithmetic) seems to be confusing, or not adding up. Maybe, some accountants or people with financial back grounds can take a closer look at the figures, and do an analysis of its contents
What do you say when steel talks family!!!!
And while we're at it how come Regional elections, carded for 28th November, 2012 , can be held before National Executive elections? From the constitution that I have, this can't be right. We can also look at that? Is Diaz and company breaking the CONSTITUTION?
Hi everyone,
Band registration for the 2013 Great Lakes Steelpan Festival is now open! With guest artists and clinicians like Gary Gibson and Clyde "Lightning" George, you know this event is going to be great! Register early to reserve your spot though because space is limited and early registrants receive a discount!
This is a great opportunity for a school band to get some expert feedback on their playing as well as learning about the instrument from some respected professional within the steelpan community.
The festival will be held in Crystal Lake, IL (about an hour northwest of Chicago) and will feature one on one clinician sessions for each band, workshops, guest artist concerts, and a mass band. Along with being a great educational experience for all participants, this is going to be a whole lot of fun too!
For more information about the event, and to register please check out their website at:
The Steelpan Store is a proud sponsor of this event and is very excited to see such an educational festival being created.
To the Pan Diaspora and Pan Historians. I am doing a compilation entitled, "Panorama Finals from 1963 to 2012".
This will be a mere 52 pages without photographs.
I want to pay tribute to all of the not so known arrangers, but my source of research is limited. This is why I need your help. You all may or may not know that only 67 different Steel Orchestras have made the Panorama Finals from 1963 through 2012. (12) have won, (13) have placed 2nd or 3rd and (42) have also ran. The arrangers and selections of the also rans, are what I need. For example who arranged for Wonderland, Sunland, Amboys, Blue Diamonds, Eastside Symphony, Birdsong, Fascinators, Flamingoes, Kintups, Melodians, Tornadoes, Stereophonics, to name a few of the also rans. I am in contact with Pan Trinbago and I know the arrangers for most of the non-mentioned, but the more the merrier. You can privately E Mail any info to my E mail which is, laventl@aol.com . If you do please use a catch word as the subject. You know we all get a lot junk mail from all over.
Sincerely and love peace and pan,
Ian Franklin
Im doing some research on female steelbands and am having some difficulty finding information on In Focus of which Allison Dyer was the leader.
Any thing would be helpful
Information needed on this band. I believe they were from San Juan and that Earl Brooks played with them when he was about 7 years old. I can't find anything on this band at all....
Any info would be fantastic.
Thanx
We are currently working on planning an education based steelpan festival for the Great Lakes area. The festival will likely be taking place within the chicagoland area and will be geared towards school bands that are looking to expand their knowledge of the instrument, not just another venue to perform at. The festival will take place during the weekend of April 13-14, 2013.
We are starting to pick up some momentum and there has been a lot of interest from people like Gary Gibson, Ellie Mannette, Darren Sheppard, Billy Sheeder, Emily Lemmerman, Freddy Harris III, and more. We are currently working on building an itinerary though and would love some feedback from the community about what they would like to see in this new festival.
We have posted a possible itinerary to our website, also attached here, that is very full and shows what could be possible. This is just a launch pad for discussion though, so please feel free to critique it and offer your suggestions. Please check out our website, steelpanfestival.com/survey, to take our survey about organizing the festival. Also, feel free to send an e-mail to surveys@steelpanfestival.com with direct feedback about the itinerary or the festival in general. You can also leave comments here.
This festival is designed to help promote steelpan education and without the feedback from the steelpan community, it will not become as much of an asset to the pan as it could be.
Thanks in advance for any feedback!
It is strange the silence from pantrinbago 'guardian of the steelpan'. Imagine the tassa association attempting to degrade the steelpan in the worst manner ( see the express article "honour tassa just like pan http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/_Honour_tassa_just_like_pan_-167400415.html
Not a word from our parent body.
If tassa want to be the second national instrument, then justify your claim but dont try to degrade the steelpan to achieve your goal.
On September 8th 2012 at the National Academy for the Performing Arts - NAPA - the 1968 Panorama winner The Wrecker will be performed in its original arrangement by Solo Harmonites.
The concert 'Ivory & Steel' will feature Solo Harmonites Steel Orchestra and Louis Nurse(Louis & the Lynx), the Band will be performing music from arrangers such as Earl Rodney who is currently at work in the panyard, Eddie Quarllis, Seion Gomez, Earl La Pierre, Kenneth Guppy and Curtis Renee.
Show time 7 p.m, hope to see you there.
Peter Kanhai - <pmkanhai@hotmail.com>
Admin Manager
Solo Harmonites
A TRIBUTE TO THE PAN TUNER, Wallace Austin!
And all those who are not recognized for their contributions.
To those who know, I grow up in Morvant,
By Tanty Linda on Plover Street,
Playing Pan with Teenage Serenaders,
And Ebonites in the Carnival heat.
Well today I see on the Internet
How they mention Wallace Austin.
So, I have a few words to add on
About this man and his pan tuning,
By the Corner of Plover and Cicada St.
It used to have a big Tambran’ tree,
And just to the side of the Peschiers house,
He would sink and bun pan wid glee.
In the fiftys, I was a teenager,
And Wallace was a big man to me,
So By now I guess, I don’t want to lie,
He must be two hundred and three.
Through the sun and rain, the heat or cold,
The man never gave up the practice,
It take some mistakes, but I make the point,
The years of experience giving its notice.
Wallace stay in the trench experimenting,
But was also a family man,
And I can’t forget all those pleasant times
In Brooklyn, then smoke mash up his plan.
Well Wallace boy, is long time we ent see,
But I have to say my few pleasantries,
Thanks for the memories from a Morvant friend,
And just enjoy your old age wid ease.
So when they hear your second pans ringing out,
And they hear your bass grumbling,
Tell dem is no joke, yuh inhale plenty smoke,
To have yuh pans and dem happily singing.
Wid One Love! Hollis ‘Flash’ Lashley.
