Thoughts and ideas relating to the music and culture of Trinidad and Tobago , especially the steelpan and the steelband
I'm never quite comfortable with assigning the creation of these instruments to individuals, except in specific instances like the spider web by Tony Williams or the high tenor by Bertie marshall as examples. Early Steelband In the early days as I recall most steelbands had tuners, and these guys copied from each other. Pan tuning … Continue reading RECOGNIZING THE HEROES AND CREATORS OF THE STEELPAN INSTRUMENT
On July 1st, 2019, my friend Errol Phillips passed away.An extremely talented musician from Woodbrook, Trinidad, and an ex Starlift Steel Orchestra player, this versatile musician mastered the bass, guitar, keyboards, and particularly the tenor pan.Errol was one of the few Trinidadians I've ever known locally in New Hampshire, and I do miss him.However, we … Continue reading Merry Christmas, with Steelpan Music!
The fine documentary “ Fire in Babylon” tells the story of the West Indian cricket team tour of England in 1976.South African born English batsman Tony Grieg promised on television to make the West Indians “grovel”.Whether or not he meant it, the West Indians took it as demeaning and racist, and showed their anger in … Continue reading A Fire in Babylon
I knew Tony Hall as a boy.His father taught me at Naparima College in San Fernando , and I remember him as a student a couple years behind me. Unfortunately, I was never fortunate to re-connect with him as an adult , but I've been extremely proud of his accomplishments as a renowned artist, playwright … Continue reading Remembering playwright and screenwriter Tony Hall, another celebrated Naparima College alumnus .
Clarence Curvan was one of the top Trinidadian musicians / bandleaders to emerge from the Caribbean in the nineteen sixties. As the post war generation came of age, a fresh new sound of music emerged in Trinidad, and the Clarence Curvan Orchestra, featuring Clarence on drums, was at the forefront of that musical revolution. Clarence Curvan was born in … Continue reading The life and times of bandleader and Trinidad musical icon, Clarence Curvan
The Foreign Ministry of Trinidad and Tobago has declared to the world that the steelpan is the National Instrument of the country , and research on any internet search engine like Google or Yahoo, or sources like Wikipedia verifies this as accepted fact and that's good enough for me. As they say in legal terminology, … Continue reading The National Instrument of T&T (the steel-pan) and the Law
If I had my way , I'd discourage steelbands from setting up on truck beds , and have them use mobile platforms, built as low to the ground as possible, instead. Of course these platforms would be drawn by trucks , tractors etc. (Even speaker and amplifiers could be added to the platform, but that's … Continue reading THOUGHTS FOR TODAY… About Steelbands on truck beds.
Pan Trinbago is Trinidad and Tobago's steelpan governing body OK folks , time for a reality check .Pan Trinbago doesn’t have to listen to anyone carping on social media. Oh , I’m sure they’re quite aware of what’s being said to a certain extent , but they don’t have to listen. Because Pan Trinbago is … Continue reading Decision Making at Pan Trinbago
I received some sad news today. My friend Errol Phillips , one of the most gifted and talented people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing has passed. His son Blayne notified me that he passed on Monday 1st July at 10:00pm, after a long struggle with prostate cancer. I met Errol a number of … Continue reading Remembering my friend Errol Phillips , a talented musician and steel-pan player
Over the years I've seen many exotic hand percussion musical instruments which, like the steel-pan are members of the idiophone family. Though interesting and unique in their own ways however, none of them can compare to the steel pan, with its culture, history and acceptance as a legitimate musical instrument. Indeed, I would suggest that … Continue reading Our incredible musical creation,The Steel Pan
G R JOSEPH 