Thoughts and ideas relating to the music and culture of Trinidad and Tobago , especially the steelpan and the steelband
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
Fitzroy Coleman - Jazz Guitarist Fizroy Coleman, 76, was born in Alfredo Street, Woodbrook. His father, a steamroller driver, played the guitar for amusement, but did not want young Fitzroy to touch his prized instrument. So, he improvised one by nailing a flat pan to a piece of wood and stringing marling on it to… … Continue reading Fitzroy Coleman | Gypsy Jazz UK
Many of us may not realize the critical nature of accurate sound reproduction, to the understanding and appreciation of orchestral music when played by the steelband. This is even more applicable to people relatively unfamiliar with the steelband , it's culture , its makeup, and the different tonal qualities among the pans. With any complex … Continue reading THE STEELBAND- Sight and Sound
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. https://youtu.be/xk3BvNLeNgw?list=RDQMsXKxTwyk4wk Indeed, I would suggest … Continue reading Our incredible musical creation,The Steel Pan
I still maintain that modern soca music, while quite enjoyable as party music is not quite suited to bring out the real sweetness of the pan , leaving it up to the arrangers to almost perform musical miracles to create a pleasing panorama performance. Having said that, I must compliment the soca artists of today … Continue reading Soca ,Music videos and the steelband panorama
On the subject of bands being allowed to change their tune in later stages of the panorama competition ,I hate being a contrarian, but even if it was allowed in the past, that rule makes sense to me. Because it’s not just the band that got the judges nod in the preliminaries and semifinals, it … Continue reading On the subject of bands being allowed to change their tune in later stages of the panorama competition
On the subject of "pan tunes", one should be aware of some cultural history. In the days when steelbands were on the streets and determined the road march, most calypsonians composed pan friendly calypsos - "pan tunes" - to vie for the road march prize. The modern (post World War II ) calypso era came … Continue reading On the subject of “pan tunes”
