Dennis Kaufman, founder and leader of Pan Fever, the original, home-grown steel pan band from East Bay San Francisco ( Richmond ), passed away suddenly many decades ago. Dennis was a gifted musician in addition to being a zealous advocate and champion of the music of steel pans. Each year he traveled to the steel band festivals in Trinidad & Tobago, bringing back songs and renewed inspiration with which he grew both Pan Fever and its audience.Dennis was a skilled and creative pianist as well as pan player, and in the early 80s he was a regular performer with my group Culebra. I was fortunate to have recorded Dennis on pan on a number of tunes. You can hear his energetic playing on "Cinnamon Bay", a track posted on MySpace at www.myspace.com/tropicalouterspace .Those who remember Dennis will appreciate this rare recording. Those who did not have the pleasure of knowing him will wish that they had the opportunity to do so after hearing his extended solo on this track.
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ON JULY 4TH '09 THE PAN ON THE MOVE EXPERIENCE BEGAN, 15 MINUTES OF ROAD PAN MUSIC, CONCEIVED,PRODUCED BY HUELOY AND MAGNIFICENTLY ARRANGED BY SIR PELHAM GODDARD,STAY TUNED.
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Posted by Hameed Shaqq on August 11, 2009 at 7:00pm
The Steelpan Community need to get on the ball, more than 70% of th players in Toronto is under the age of (30) thirty. To these youths, playing steelpan is as canadian as playing hockey. The Steelpan art, represents an inter-generational interaction with the same objectives within the steelband Community. However, the community must be active in securing funding for the long-term developement in terms of the Science and Technology of the Instrument in Canada.
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Pan tuner and long-time apprentice to Ellie Mannette, Billy Sheeder, will be at Radoes Panyard from Monday August 31 to Friday, September 4, doing tunings for all of the public. Radoes panyard is located on Chase Court between Ralph Avenue and E. 83rd St., near Foster.No appointment is necessary -- anyone is welcom to bring their pans for blending on a first-come, first-serve basis.Billy has been tuning for 13 years, 8 of which under the tutelage of Ellie Mannette and a primary tuner at Mannette Steel Drums, Ltd. He is now freelancing across the US and internationally.Hours will be from 11 to 4 daily. Cost for blending is the Labor Day week special price of $75 per instrument.Billy can be reached at 304-319-3210 or at panbilly@hotmail.com to answer any questions or inquiries.
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