Thoughts and ideas relating to the music and culture of Trinidad and Tobago , especially the steelpan and the steelband
Kelvin Pope aka the Mighty Duke was born in Point Fortin , Trinidad in 1932. He was a former school teacher who left a career working at Shell Oil to perform as a calypsonian. He began his career in the 1950s at the Southern Brigade Calypso Tent. and relocated to Port of Spain in 1964 … Continue reading A Pope , A Duke , A King – The legend of calypsonian Kelvin Pope , The Mighty Duke
In the 1950's and 1960's, the smooth sounds of the Sel Duncan Orchestra , featuring his sweet, silvery toned alto saxophone were the preferred soundtracks for formal and semi-formal parties and dances , and his was a household name in T&T. Highly respected and admired for his skill withthe saophone , he was awarded the … Continue reading The Sel Duncan Orchestra of Trinidad
An unique and celebrated musical collaboration featuring some of Trinidad's greatest artists ever. In 1969, two of Trinidad's most renowned and legendary artists collaborated to create music, and to produce an album that was to become a musical milestone and a cultural phenomenon. Winifred Atwell Pan Am North Stars Steel orchestra, led by steelpan pioneer … Continue reading Winifred Atwell and the Pan Am North Stars Steel Orchestra “Ivory And Steel”
“One Sunday morning I chanced to hear, a rumbling and a tumbling in the atmosphere....." Calypsonians, especially in the early days, followed the tradition of the West African griot, commenting on everyday occurrences and memorable events. One such memorable event was the visit of the legendary German airship , the Graf Zeppelin to Trinidad , … Continue reading When the Graf Zeppelin visited Trinidad (1933)
An arrangement by Ken “Professor ‘' Philmore and Milton “Wire” Austin Panorama Finals 1986 featured this bouncy arrangement of Lord Kitchener's "Pan Here to Stay" arranged by the late Ken "Professor" Philmore and Milton "Wire" Austin, who has also recently passed.. This performance of the Grand Master's classic calypso remains one of my favorite Panorama … Continue reading Fonclaire Steel Orchestra – Lord Kitchener’s “Pan Here to Stay”
On October 3rd, 2018 , we received the news from his son Michael that former steel-band leader, instructor and pan tuning pioneer Kim Loy Wong , had passed. He was the original leader of the legendary Hilanders (Highlanders) Steel Orchestra , and one of the first steel-pan tuners to introduce the world to the art … Continue reading Remembering Kim Loy Wong , the original leader of Hilanders Steel Orchestra .
Many Trinidadians have been hoping / expecting that Trini style soca will eventually "cross over" into mainstream music as an identifiable genre , like calypso or reggae. Well , IMHO , I think they will be disappointed , because soca is already mainstream , but as a sub-genre of modern pop music. So you hear … Continue reading Soca music in the mainstream
Dalton Narine pays his respect to the late steel-pan legend , Ken "Professor" Philmore I’ve learned that both Pan by Storm and Pan Ecstasy became favorites of Panorama enthusiasts over the years. For me, it has been instant gratification that both back to back performances (1990-1991) have taken a-hold of the culture, and so Panorama audiences … Continue reading Remembering Ken “Professor” Philmore
I am beginning to think that part of the problem with steel-bands in T&T is what conservatives would describe as the ills of "socialism". Now , I'm no conservative , but I know what they mean. That dependence on the government check has become an anchor on the growth and development of the art-form , … Continue reading Let’s get steelbands in T&T back to the business of Carnival.
1) Trinis love pan , and always will. It's in their DNA 2) Steelbands have their own rhythm and tempo , and that doesn't mean trying to keep pace with the DJs. (Incidentally , this was always the case . even when we had brass bands on the road , back in the day) 3) … Continue reading Five Takeaways from the 2018 Republic Day J’ouvert jump-up held in Woodbrook , Trinidad
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