Brian Copeland et al (and others) meaning the then PM Patrick Manning, who gave a mandate to Brian Copeland, Clement Imbert, and Junia Regrello for T&T Government in 2005, to research and creata a new family of steel pans that has already been research and created since 1949 thru 1968, Anthony Williams and St james North stars Steel orchestra Enterprise, but got caught fleecing/embezzling $34.5 million dollars in US currency from T&T's treasury, claiming Copeland invented said Genesis G-pan, SNSE 's 29 inc in diameter big tenor pan instrumemt, which technology was researched and created before he Copeland was even born, design patented in 1963, copyrighted in 1999, thru the Library of Congress, and again in 2003, more to follow...
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A complete small band , 4 tenors (high), 3 double seconds , 2double guitars, 1 treble cello 1 high 4 base , 1 low 6 base ,1 dudup , all pan stands and sticks. 1 Pair of congas, cow bell ,tambourine, maracas , scatcher and irons ,Also included 1 Yamaha power mixer and drum machine, 2 Yamaha (large) speakers with telescopic stands and the monitor and stand. all drums chromed but the base . Only serious inquiries please . Husband retiring from teaching pan , call Bob (crazy Theroulde , Edmonton alberta Canada , 1 780 440 3714.
Thanks to Mario Nunes for this link:
Despers at Lapeyrouse
this only happens in t & t because of incompetence of those who are in charge and think that they know it all.
this only happens in t & t because of incompetence of those who are in charge and think that they know it all.
The matter of Casablanca Steel Orchestra not going forward to the semi-final round in the small band category was not only an issue of a couple points short of qualifying. While awaiting their turn to perform, the captain Allyson Poteon was informed by a Pan Trinbago official that the Dj had lost the copy of their tune which had to be played before the band’s performance (the tune of choice is played for all bands competing at every level of Panorama and the scores are given based on arrangement and interpretation of that tune). Efforts to have the Dj retrieve the tune off of a digital device proved futile because the Dj’s USB cable had a short resulting in the inability to have it played for the judges and patrons. In addition, two minutes into their rendition of “Big Mama” composed and arranged by their vice president Michael A Gabriel; the band was stopped via the announcer when Pan Trinbago’s officials realized that one of their judges was in the restroom. A video circulating on facebook shows the effect the interruption had on the players.
This had never happened in the history of panorama save and except when Renegades was stopped because of the noise emanating from the north stand. A written appeal was sent to Pan Trinbago’s head office but to no avail. It is indeed unfortunate that the band should fall to such ill fate after having put in their blood, sweat and tears into their preparations to appear and perform at the preliminary round of the competition.
The questions then arise; why wasn’t the scores of the alternate judge used rather than stop the band in full performance? Failing this, why wasn’t the band afforded the opportunity to proceed to the next round based on the destroyed morale and state of minds the players would have incurred because of the stoppage? Further, (based on the presumption that the judges did not hear the tune of choice) how did the judges score the band if they did not hear the entire tune of choice?
It is also hoped that this does not affect the bands opportunities for sponsorship whereby it may appear the problem was lack of preparation. Some members of the public are of the perception that the band faultered on stage when it was in fact the fault of Pan Trinbago’s officials.
The matter of Casablanca Steel Orchestra not going forward to the semi-final round in the small band category was not only an issue of a couple points short of qualifying. While awaiting their turn to perform, the captain Allyson Poteon was informed by a Pan Trinbago official that the Dj had lost the copy of their tune which had to be played before the band’s performance (the tune of choice is played for all bands competing at every level of Panorama and the scores are given based on arrangement and interpretation of that tune). Efforts to have the Dj retrieve the tune off of a digital device proved futile because the Dj’s USB cable had a short resulting in the inability to have it played for the judges and patrons. In addition, two minutes into their rendition of “Big Mama” composed and arranged by their vice president Michael A Gabriel; the band was stopped via the announcer when Pan Trinbago’s officials realized that one of their judges was in the restroom. A video circulating on facebook shows the effect the interruption had on the players.
This had never happened in the history of panorama save and except when Renegades was stopped because of the noise emanating from the north stand. A written appeal was sent to Pan Trinbago’s head office but to no avail. It is indeed unfortunate that the band should fall to such ill fate after having put in their blood, sweat and tears into their preparations to appear and perform at the preliminary round of the competition.
The questions then arise; why wasn’t the scores of the alternate judge used rather than stop the band in full performance? Failing this, why wasn’t the band afforded the opportunity to proceed to the next round based on the destroyed morale and state of minds the players would have incurred because of the stoppage? Further, (based on the presumption that the judges did not hear the tune of choice) how did the judges score the band if they did not hear the entire tune of choice?
It is also hoped that this does not affect the bands opportunities for sponsorship whereby it may appear the problem was lack of preparation. Some members of the public are of the perception that the band faultered on stage when it was in fact the fault of Pan Trinbago’s officials.
(Part 1 of a T&T Guardian series on Panorama)
The annual ritual of the steelband Panorama competition has begun in Trinidad and Tobago, and continues apace through the stages culminating on Carnival Saturday with the finals. With the financial cutbacks across the board in all areas of the economy including Carnival, there is a recognition that the sum of the parts have to be efficient and excellent to make the whole better. The holistic view of Panorama being in need of “fixing” taken by some commentators and pundits has raised the question of why has this analysis not been done and implemented before this recession, and why, even in these times, does the state still pump money, in the millions into Carnival and its events such as Panorama
A simple answer could be that Panorama represents the apotheosis of the national instrument. That reasoning was supplied by steelpan researcher Dr Kim Johnson, who spoke to the T&T Guardian about the idea of the continuation of the state funded event within the context of moribund standards for the industry of steelpan throughout the year. Johnson noted the history of Panorama: “Panorama was the PNM government of the 1960s taking control of the steelband movement, what they saw as national culture. The strategy included making it more lucrative to play in Panorama because of prize money and appearance fees than to play in parties and fêtes.”
The intrigue continues with the assertion that the early Panorama became the antithesis of the existing Bomb competition with opposing class and racial groups challenging for control and influence—the new governing elite insisting that calypso be played versus the working class playing classical music—and critically voter support. Johnson: “PNM had no organised masses like a union, so panmen represented a structured link to the voting masses.” The link between political fate and culture control is observed in countries in the region like Cuba, and even here when calypso lyrics were subject to censors speaks of a kind of continued control.
In these modern times, the State, spends millions on the continuation of Carnival both as catharsis and economic input via tourism and the economic multiplier effect of trade at that time. In 2016, $270 M is allocated to the National Carnival Commission (NCC), which effectively runs Carnival, of which Pan Trinbago got $30 M. Keith Diaz says that his organisation requested $45 M from the government, but Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said that “the current economic conditions have forced the Government to cut back.” Efforts to get a statement from the minister in relation to the question of the rationale and policy for state funding of steelpan proved futile. What is clear from government statements is the need to increase revenues from diversified sources outside of oil and gas.
The people's representatives in the Parliament, during Joint Select Committee (JSC) hearings in 2012 looking into the management of the NCC reported their findings in a report that spoke about financial and management matters at the organisation, and conclusions from this report provide some answers to questions of the viability of the Panorama event and the spin-off projects like the disputed Greens area. The report specifically noted congestion of the masquerade on Carnival Tuesday, and only touched on the stalled construction of the Pan Trinbago headquarters—at least $5.8 M spent and unfinished since 2002—and the movement away from T&T of the steelpan industry. Any notions of a long Panorama event—an assertion made by some to recommend fixing—were not concluded as a problem!
When challenged by former senator Emmanuel George to justify the Greens space as a simultaneous “fête” when the focus should be on pan at Panorama, Clarence Moe, then NCC CEO responded that, “there is a push at present to tell the interest groups [Pan Trinbago in this case], your events and activities must be viable. That you must be able to at least increase the levels of revenue, because the shows and the events that you put on have the potential for raising higher revenues...this year has generated the greatest level of revenue that we have ever seen, indeed it was almost doubled.” Economics trumped all other considerations. Despite some pull out from party organisers and promotions companies, companies are organising their posses for the Savannah Party on Sunday.
Vice president of Pan Trinbago Bryon Serrette, in 2014, justified the existence of the Greens by noting that “while a lot of the younger generation members are playing with the steelbands, their peers have not been supporting the event...they would prefer not to sit in one spot for hours listening to the bands....Pan Trinbago, therefore, took the decision to accommodate these patrons by giving them a space in which they would be comfortable, and at the same time contribute to the revenues we are expected to generate from the event.” Keith Diaz, Pan Trinbago president reiterates, “Pan Trinbago is not the Pan Trinbago of yesteryear. We are now a business-driven enterprise.” Yet the call for increased subventions continues.
It must be noted that nearly 90% of the NCC's budget comes via government subvention. Pan Trinbago's money is a mix of public and private funding with a very small portion of revenue coming from gate receipts and rentals. But Panorama is not only about money, it is about performance and increasingly about broadcast and intellectual property exploitation.
The recent example of the marathon International Soca Monarch has shone a new spotlight on the idea of broadcasting and live streaming of Carnival events and the production values expected of such an enterprises. The idea of broadcasting festival type events has precedence in the BBC broadcasts of Glastonbury and state television stations in Europe broadcasting jazz festivals like Estival in Lugano, Switzerland, and Jazzaldia in San Sebastián, Spain, as international examples. Snapshots or even sets by acts support a television broadcast that is distributed worldwide. The local preference to position a camera or a bank of cameras on unprepared singers or eight minute bursts of steelpan performance sandwiched between 20 minutes of transition time between bands creates a bad television experience, as noted by many on social media, and an unsupported product for live international broadcast where the economic exploitation make sense.
At the 2012 JSC hearings, the NCC admitted failure to further exploit broadcast rights citing “the lack of proper technology” and noting their inability to collect accreditation fees from international photographers. What becomes clearer in 2016, is how far we as a nation is behind the learning curve of modern technology and trends, and the slow buy-in to the notion that local audiences' expectations have increased with the burgeoning of cable television and internet providing example of standards not seen often in these islands.
Kim Johnson posits another idea based on his research, “Pan is not a consumer thing. Capitalist music systems are about consumption, pan is about participation.” This idea turns the standard business model for the exploitation of pan via a Panorama or the broadcast of Panorama on its head. At the funeral of calypso jazz pioneer Raf Robertson, Fr Clyde Harvey suggested that pan should take a page from the jazz book: “jazz is about festivals, not a contest. Eight “winners” at semis, share the prize money equally, and a festival on 'finals night' for all of us to celebrate the music and the instrument.” Aside from the argument of picking eight “winners” constituting a competition, Harvey's suggestion was roundly rebutted by Johnson: “That can't work. We need the competition. Black music is about immediacy. Jazz achieves that by improvisation, pan by competition.”
SIDEBAR: Who's winning this...again?
Kim Johnson says that “Panorama is a competition for arrangers.” However, there is a kind of stasis in the growth of prize winning arrangers. Despite the embargo on one arranger arranging for multiple bands many years ago, in the last 35 years only eight arrangers have “won” in the large band category, the late Jit Samaroo winning nine times, Leon “Smooth” Edwards winning eight times, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe winning seven times among the leaders.
His thesis hinges on the notion that in New World African music, the spontaneity of jazz is removed in our pre-composed context of arranged carnival music at Panorama. To that, is the “who go win” factor that insists only a competition will decide. The immediacy of improvisation is replicated in our context by competition.
Panorama continues because it satisfies that ageing demographic, which can not sustain it as a popular music. Panorama continues because the state seeks to maintain support, financially and otherwise for a “national” culture. Panorama continues because it owner, Pan Trinbago, has made it the acme of the instrument and the industry. Nestor Sullivan, an expert, suggests that “Panorama seems to be the 'definition of steelpan' but as a catalyst for annual music practising and development, it is not doing that.” The world is moving on with creative industry exploitation T&T has begun with differing results thus far. Kim Johnson posits, finally, that “steelband is modern instrument that preserves the ancient idea that music is participation.” These two ideas from learned folk suggest that the annual rite of passage that is Panorama may be in need of fixing, but only when the society at large, get on board the idea that fix anything in this island is to shift paradigms away from the familiar.
A version of this article appears in the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian newspapers published as, "Fixing Panorama"
© 2016, Nigel A. Campbell. All Rights Reserved.
Dr JIT Samaroo
The Honorary Doctorate bestowed on Dr Samaroo was truly deserved
He is the most gifted and the humblest of persons I have ever met and known in my entire life.
He has left us a legacy and record that will not be easily broken/achieved in a long, long time.
He has left the Renegades Steel Orchestra with many fond memories and achievements that will never be forgotten by generations.
As a true Trini son of the soil; he excelled in the musical field, and let it be remembered that Renegades achieved nine (9) Panorama victories under one arranger inclusive of a hat trick that will be in the archives for generation and generations.
I remember a panorama win that eluded him was the melodic and harmonious, Bees Melody in 1992.
BP renegades salutes Dr. Samaroo and maintains that we we will never, ever forget you. Finally, I am positive that you will now be arranging and playing for our Lord and Creator
May you rest in eternal peace. Goodbye; Adios Dr Samaroo
From a senior Member of BP renegades
Roger Reis
CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS, FANS AND RENEGADES STEEL ORCHESTRA ON THE PASSING OF DR. JIT SAMAROO, ON BEHALF OF DESPERADOES STEEL ORCHESTRA.
https://www.facebook.com/SteelPansPoland/videos/941169692630181/?theater
Ambers Steel Band, Poland's first and as yet, only Steel Band in Poland played on the recent Star Wars Premiere, and arrangement of 'Duel of the Fates, Imperial March and the Force theme'. It all happened so fast but took some time to get done. Hope you can spare a minute to like and share on! These kids deserve it!
It is a shame that a big band like Skiffle Bunch cannot produce some young Trinidad Arrangers from their sponsored band. You have over a hundred players every year and the question is. Why can't you train some of them in music and arrangements? By importing Foreign Born Arrangers just to win a Panorama shows bad management and a lack of shame and a slap in our country's education abilities. There is no excuse for your Band's decision. Stalin, Merchant and Relator knew this from their past songs. Pan in Danger and we are importing our own culture. Imagine some of these Band Managers do not have the common sense to see that pretty soon we will be importing our own culture and it was started by these South Bands. Bands are using FOREIGN Tuners to make their pans and arrange in contrast to the fact that most of the drums comes from the South. Pan Trinbago and some other band officials fail to incorporate our Steel Pan technology by using our best Tuners to teach young and upcoming tuners. All they do is to wait until they are dead to give them a lot of stupid Speech. Check it out, we are running short of all the best TUNERS that was born in the WAR ERA. Right now you have TOP PAN TUNERS Without a WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE to sell their products. Besides Gill's Pan Shop and two large shops. The TOP NAMED TUNERS DO NOT HAVE A SITE AND THEY ARE NOT EMPLOYED AND PAID TO TEACH THE ART BY ALL THE GOVERNING BODIES IN T&T.
They are getting paid to teach people out of the country and the so-called smart Trinidadians does not realize that they are not taking care of their own but walk about we are the smartest and the best. WAKE UP STEEL BANDS AND PAN TRINBAGO
The hills of Escalier lands and Sorzanoville provided safe haven for the Orisha drummers, the tambour bamboo bands and the Casablanca Steelband. The valley which descended from the Laventille hills between Hermitage Road and Quarry Street to the East Dry River was defined as the community space for Casablanca first generation contributors to the new sound and music emerging from different sectors in the city. Enjoy the pictures,words and music from the Casablanca community. The website is a work in progress and hence content will be continuously added to enhance the historic canvas. You are invited to review and comment on the presentation.
Ckeck out the following website.
Steel pan champ launches formal complaint after pub ban
A manager of the Hungry Horse pub in in Birmingham claimed the talented musician was trying to 'hawk' around his music
Written by Poppy Brady
26/10/2015 02:55 PM
BANNED: Mighty Jamma
STEELPAN champion Mighty Jamma has put in a formal complaint to West Midlands Police after he was arrested outside one of his regular pubs, where he says the manager has banned him without giving any reason why.
The popular entertainer, who is a national three-time champion soloist steelpan player, spent a night in the cells at Birmingham’s Steelhouse Police Station after being arrested outside the Hungry Horse pub, also known as The Beeches, in Perry Barr, Birmingham, on September 25.
He was bailed and told he could face charges of harassment, but they have since been dropped, so now he has put in formal complaints to both the police and the pub, run by brewery giant Greene King.
“I’ve been going to this pub for the past 15 years and under the last management I used to play in there for free,” said Mighty Jamma, 48
“I had been talking to friends in there about my latest CD when the management decided that I was trying to hawk round my music, which was certainly not the case. I have been playing the steelpans for more than 35 years and people come to me to buy my music – I have never needed to ask people.
“The arrest came as a complete shock as I had been sitting in my van outside the pub, when officers suddenly pulled up and asked me to step out of my vehicle. They arrested and handcuffed me without giving me any reason, despite the fact that the officer who took me in confirmed I was both compliant and polite.
“I found the whole process extremely humiliating. I am not an aggressive person – as an entertainer I am used to mixing with all kinds of people and I have their respect.”
Jamma received three letters earlier this year from staff representing HRH the Queen, the Prince of Wales and Prince William, all thanking him for sending them CDs of his music.
His enforced overnight stay at the police station last month meant that he missed his Saturday morning interview slot with presenter Mollie Green on BBC Radio WM to talk about his award-winning musical career, which has taken him all over the world.
He started jamming on pots and pans from the age of nine.
He added: “I also feel it is insulting to customers when pub managements decide they can ban you without giving any reason why.”
A spokesperson for the Hungry Horse pub said: “The Beeches is a family friendly pub and the primary concern is creating a safe and sociable environment to be enjoyed by all. The manager has the right to refuse entry to anyone whose behaviour they feel is impacting on that enjoyment of other customers.
“In this instance, having investigated the matter internally, we support the decision of the manager to bar the customer because of his behaviour. When the customer refused to leave the pub, the police were called to assist.”
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “Officers attended The Beeches pub in Perry Barr on 25th September following a complaint of harassment. A 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of harassment and later released without charge.
“We can confirm that we have received a letter of complaint from Mr Stewart. We cannot comment any further.”
Those of you who were not at Clifton Hill Beach facility yesterday missed a treat. There were super performances by Pan Elders, Brimblers, Skifle, Supernova and All Stars to name most of the bands. Where were all the so called "pan lovers"! It was free so cost was not a factor. One thing is certain, All Stars simply cannot close off with Woman on the base and pack up as they attempted too. While packing after playing a long stint they had to reassemble and play Curry Tabanca that satisfied the crowd. The players were drained but thanks for coming back on stage!
Greetings all!
You are cordially invited to Invaders Symposium titled "TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO STEELBANDS: The Way Forward"
This Symposium is open to the public and FREE of charge.
The presenters at this Symposium includes Dr. Jeanine Remy, Michael Dinchong and Joanna Shortt.
Topics of discussion are as follows:
- The way forward for steelband music
- The future role of women in steelband music
- Steelband Management in the 21st century: A hybrid approach
This Symposium will take place on Monday 21st September at the Century Ballroom Queens Park Cricket Clup, Elizabeth Street, Woodbrook from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
To RSVP simply call Atiya @ 7040774 or email us:invaders1940@gmail.com
Feel free to forward this email to family, friends and supporters of Invaders.
Thank you for your continued support,
Invaders Steel Orchestra
I agree with Patrice that people are not interested in the small bands. Keep the
Small Bands and Pan Around the Neck competition in August at the Savannah so they will have their own patrons and more interest will be given to them.
Go back to the Large and medium bands as before for Carnival. Why? The stands are always almost empty even in the big band competition because you split up the concert goers.
Every time Pan Trinbago changes the Panorama System they loose paying customers. Bring back the old time way the bands took part in the Panorama. The DRAG is one of the main feature of the whole competition. They all sparkle and get fired up to put on a good show.
Pan Trinbago in years gone by have eliminated and combine some of the bands and shows but it does not work.
Why spend money on all these Police to keep the supporters out along with an Army of Officials who are friends and families of the administrators.
The followers comes in with their bands and they leave. However, you kill the spirit of Panorama on the DRAG by rushing them and then using armed force to keep them from the side of the stage.
If you put back the bleachers on the Drag like in years gone by before the stage on each side, the organization will be able to make some money charging between 25 - 30 dollars per person.
The other big way to make money from the Panorama is to place it on Pay Per View but you have to advertise it in the foreign countries. You beg for a lot of money and yet you do not ADVERTISE THE SHOWS OUT OF TRINIDAD. The small Islands advertise their Carnival and Shows in the States. Use BET and other Stations to advertise even the Pirate Radio Stations in Brooklyn.
Pan Trinbago need some qualified managers to run their organization or a board of advisors. IF IT WAS'NT FOR WHEN STEEL TALKS THE WORLD WIDE PAN NATIONS WILL BE IN THE DARK. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Depeza O. Veteran of TTDF, Musician/IT.
For those of us who believe that God corrects human mistakes, this victory for Trinidad All Stars is nothing short of justice served. Panorama 1987 is often referred to as the bench-mark moment that the people knew the judges were fallible when they placed All Stars 'Curry Tabanca' in 4th place. It is regarded as a sin against the very culture of Trinbago. Although we still bare the scar of that injustice, we can now wear it with pride as we have lived to see that masterpiece and the masterful band, Trinidad All Stars, be recognized as the Best in the World. Trinidad All Stars, a cornerstone of the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. AMEN!!!
Congratulations to Pan Trinbago for actually bringing off the International Conference and Panorama. I have a query and suggestion. First the suggestion: I think form now on all Panorama bands should consist of no more than 60 players. This would be one sure way of allowing available pannists to be spread around for all steelbands. Now my query. How come Keith Diaz could boast on radio that we in Trinidad and Tobago are the only people in the world that can have their national anthem played on their national instrument; however, on the opening night of the conference the National Symphony Steel Orchestra was bypassed for the playing of the national anthem? Imagine a video was shown with a fresh-water yankee tearing apart our national anthem.
Knocking on the rim or skirt of the steelpan to get the attention of players and or count to begin a song is a habit I would like to see discontinued. I do not allow anyone to do this to my pans and I do not do it to others. I do not see conductors nor arrangers of other instruments doing this. I believe it is time to eradicate this habit as it is very annoying and unprofessional. Let us set high standards for our young steelpan musicians and teach them how to care for our National Instrument.
