I've been thinking of my most memorable Panorama experiences and the performance by Solo Harmonites in the Panorama preliminaries of 1968 certainly ranks high on that list. The decade of the 1960's saw the greatest advances in the steelband world, and we saw the steelbands grow from the single pan "pan 'round neck" era of … Continue reading A most memorable Panorama event from a bygone era !
Category: Trinidad and Tobago Culture – Steelpan and Calypso
The Hylanders Steel Orchestra, and their legendary leader, Brtram Lloyd “Bertie” Marshall.
The original Hylanders (also known as Highlanders) was founded in the 1950s by Kim Loy Wong who was the band's tuner, arranger, and manager. After Wong left for the the USA in 1959 , the band's leadership was assumed by Bertie Marshall who became the band's leader and tuner . https://youtu.be/FXxQECwMcPw Kim Loy Wong's Highlanders … Continue reading The Hylanders Steel Orchestra, and their legendary leader, Brtram Lloyd “Bertie” Marshall.
Examples of a nineteen sixties steel-band “Bomb Tunes” – “Elizabethan Serenade”, “Salut d’Amour” by Silver Stars
A good bomb tune was either a classical piece , a show tune or a pop tune. Not necessarily a popular piece , but a usually familiar tune , with an arrangement that made you jump , but also listen and marvel. The type of tune you would never expect to hear in calypso tempo … Continue reading Examples of a nineteen sixties steel-band “Bomb Tunes” – “Elizabethan Serenade”, “Salut d’Amour” by Silver Stars
The original all female steelband – Girl Pat Steel Orchestra
The Girl Pat Steel Orchestra was most likely the first all female steel orchestra , since the steelband was formed between the years 1951 - 1952 at the home of Hazel Henley at No 79 Picton Street, Newtown, Trinidad. She was an accomplished musician who played the piano and formed the band with some of … Continue reading The original all female steelband – Girl Pat Steel Orchestra
“Is De Pan in Me” ( Lord Kitchener ) – The perfect steelpan calypso.
In my opinion ,Lord Kitchener's " Is de Pan in Me" is the perfect steelpan calypso. As a matter of fact , I think it should be some sort of a pan players anthem. Apart from the sweet and exciting melody , the Grand Master's lyrics tell a story that is all too familiar … Continue reading “Is De Pan in Me” ( Lord Kitchener ) – The perfect steelpan calypso.
A Classic Steel-band Carnival Parade – Trinidad Carnival 1956
To me, as a Trinidadian born in a certain era, this is the best and most meaningful piece of street theater ever recorded on audio. In 1956, a brash young singer who called himself the Mighty Sparrow was just about to establish his dominance of the calypso world that would last decades.We were being introduced … Continue reading A Classic Steel-band Carnival Parade – Trinidad Carnival 1956
Culture , kalinda (stick fighting) and me.
Stick fighting, "kalinda" was bought to Trinidad by our enslaved African ancestors, and has always been a part of Trinidad's culture, though of course it was never really approved by society. Also called "creole wood", "bois" , " battaille bois" the tradition has endured into the modern era. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiYoBGgTRxo Today, efforts have been made to … Continue reading Culture , kalinda (stick fighting) and me.
R.I.P Dr. Elliot “Ellie” Mannette
Pan pioneer Ellie Mannette has died. He was 90. Born Elliot Mannette in San Souci, Trinidad on November 5, 1927, Mannette passed away on Wednesday August 29 , 2018 at a hospital in West Virginia, USA. As long as the art-form related to the steel-pan endures , the name Ellie Mannette will not be forgotten. … Continue reading R.I.P Dr. Elliot “Ellie” Mannette
Another question no one asks : Are steelbands of today even capable of providing music for Trinidad’s Carnival parade ?
It is no secret that many of us would like to see a return to a strong participation by steelbands in all aspects of Trinidad's Carnival , including a major role in providing music for the carnival parade. Such activities , however would take a lot of work and planning . This is not the … Continue reading Another question no one asks : Are steelbands of today even capable of providing music for Trinidad’s Carnival parade ?
The Steel-band in Trinidad : Should it be seen as Art, Culture or…..Business?
I am always struck by the notion that some insist on seeing the steelband's future purely as business. And I'm not talking about the professional panist, or even the small 'side" that does gigs and may even be doing quite well. And obviously for a steelband to be successful, its finances should be handled in … Continue reading The Steel-band in Trinidad : Should it be seen as Art, Culture or…..Business?
G R JOSEPH 