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Category: steelband

Trinidad All Stars’ Pannist, Dane Gulston & Carol Addison Live At Central Bank Auditorium, Trinidad

Posted on by Overtime Media

Courted and convinced to perform by Trinidad All Star’s pannist, Dane Gulston, after sharing the stage at an event in New York last year, Carol Addison, the Tunapuna-raised singer returned home for her first performance since her husband passed away some years ago, to a packed Central Bank Auditorium in Port Of Spain Trinidad.

“It’s so good to be home ” Carol said fresh off the plane at Piarco Airport on November 2. “My flight was a breeze and now I’m here and I’m so excited and looking forward to this show.”

Gulston made a grand effort in putting the concert together as a showcase for his new band dubbed Sweetbread, in addition to presenting his talented sons, Daniel and Denilson, and sharing the stage with saxophonist, Tony Paul; Sweetbread lead vocalist, Adrian Philbert; parang queen, Alicia Jaggassar and the amazing violinist duo known as Xavier Strings. The audience was taken on a journey back in time with renditions of classic songs enhanced with unique vocal styling, expert musicianship and the sweet soothing sounds of our national instrument.

Besides her stellar performance, Addison addressed the crime situation in Trinidad; her advice elicited consenting nods, applause, and a standing ovation at the end of the show.

“Spend more time with the young people. Listen to them and share your knowledge, experience, and wisdom with them.”
That was the advice 70s singer, Carol Addison gave to the mature audience assembled at the Central Bank Auditorium
“We need to sacrifice a little more time and energy and spend it with our children and grandchildren and the young people in general,” she advised. “They are looking for things to do, looking for places to fit in and belong, and looking for love and attention in all the wrong places. Yes, there is crime everywhere – and I live in NY so the numbers in Trinidad aren’t really that bad compared to anywhere else – but I think it’s the feeling that we’ve lost them and the feeling of disconnect from the next generation that has us really concerned about the state of things here in T&T.”

Event Organizer, Staci-Ann Patrick shared some comments received after the show had ended:
“Good morning, I am Marissa Roberts, I called you about parking yesterday! The show was Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! You are undeniably the best! It was well executed… excitement from beginning to end! I have never experienced a concert like that. Pls keep your band and the local cast!”
“Great morning to you and yours Dane. That show was AWESOME . You are a SUPERSTAR!”
“Good morning, Staci-Ann. Mishka with Xavier Strings. Congratulations to you for such a successful show. It was due in no small part to your hard work. Thank you for allowing Xavier Strings to be a part of it. It was a truly memorable evening.”

The concert was filmed by Overtime Media in collaboration with D’Angelos Rentals and Philip Augustine Communications and is available to be streamed via VOD online until Friday, December 23rd at https://live.allaccess.events

 

Photos by Overtime Media

Hashtags #CarolAddison #DaneGulston #Trinidad

Pan Trinbago Virtual Celebration Of Pan Month 2021 Continues

Posted on by Nekisha Cyrus

Yes, ‘Pan Month 2021’ is in full effect and the virtual celebrations continue throughout the month of August.

Each year, during the month of August, Pan Trinbago commemorates ‘Pan Month’ to mark the declaration of the steelpan as the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. Pan Trinbago which was formed in 1971  is recognized as the parent body for steel bands all over the world. Not only are they a national organization, representing the largest cultural group in Trinidad and Tobago, but an international organization that is active in the promotion of the new and vibrant musical form that is fast achieving universal recognition and acceptance.

Fun fact: Did you know that ‘World Steelpan Day’ is observed annually observed on August 11th? 

This year, Pan Trinbago will honour ‘Pan Month 2021’ with a series of 28 virtual events due to the Covid-19 restrictions. In addition to this year’s celebrations, they are also observing their 50th anniversary of the acquisition of the name ‘Pan Trinbago’.

With the virtual events already in full effect, interested viewers can go to Pan Trinbago Facebook and YouTube channel or register for the Zoom link or tune in to as WACK 90.1FM. You can check out their full calendar of events for the month of August below!

Pan Trinbago's Calendar of Events for the Month of August 2021

Each week will feature a comprehensive theme highlighting the following topics: Education, Evolution, Economical, and Entertainment. The events are diverse and will also include conversations with Pan Trinbago’s Board members, Panorama Nostalgia and even a ‘Pan Verzuz’- a local spin on the internationally-famous Verzuz battles tailored to feature local pannists. See the remaining lineup below:

August 13: VERZUZ – Joshua Regrello vs Keishaun Julien

August 14: VERZUZ – Aviel Scanterbury vs Denzel Headley

August 20: VERZUZ – Obadele Allick vs Hanif Goodridge

August 21: VERZUZ – Jamel Cadette vs Shaquille Forbes

August 27: VERZUZ – David Yundi vs Dejean Cain

August 27: VERZUZ – Ojay Richards vs Kersh Ramsey

For more information and updates, feel free to visit Pan Trinbago’s website, email events@pantrinbago.co.tt or you can call 623-4486.

Sources include: https://www.pantrinbago.co.tt, https://newsday.co.tt, https://tt.loopnews.com

Hashtags: #PanMonth #PanMonth2021 #PanTrinbago #Steelpan #NationalInstrument #TrinidadandTobago #TrinidadandTobagoEntertainmentNews

Trinbagonian Keishaun Julien Wins 2021 NLCB PanoGrama Intl Competition

Posted on by Lesandra Scott

The NLCB PanoGrama, described by its creators as the World Cup of Steelpan, has named Keishaun Julien as its 2021 winner. Keishaun, a Soloist, Arranger, and Educator, has kept the crown in Trinidad and Tobago for another year with his rendition of ‘Pan By Storm’.

PanoGrama was held for the first time last year to revive the entertainment industry which was at a standstill because of the pandemic. The virtual competition showcases top steelpan soloists from around the world.

2021’s PanoGrama began with auditions held from February 28th to March 21st, followed by preliminaries comprising 30 participants and held on May 7th to 9th. The semi-finals held on May 13th featured 20 hopefuls, and the finals on May 22nd saw 10 qualifiers vying for the winning title.

The Rules/Requirements as stated in Panograma website are:

Performance

Musicians would be required to perform a tune of choice for a maximum of 4 minutes 30 seconds accompanied by backing tracks, for each round of the competition. The creation of custom backing tracks is encouraged.

Backing tracks must be soundtracks/accompaniment only and should not contain the melody of the selection.

Variations can be pre-composed and must represent the musician’s original ideas. Improvising is not mandatory.

Tune of Choice

Selections can be made from any genre of music for performance(s). Should a musician progress in the competition, that musician cannot use the same selection again.

Instruments

Musicians are free to use any steelpan of their choice and the changing of instruments across rounds is allowed (i.e. A musician who played tenor for the preliminary round can switch to double seconds for the semifinals, should they qualify). There is no limit to the number of steelpans that can be used for a performance.

Prizes

  • First:  $1,000.00 USD, All-expenses-paid trip to Canada to perform for Sons of Steel (5-day trip). *Terms and conditions apply; Virtual one-on-one session with world-renowned steelpannist, Victor Provost; 1 x Augustus Peters Steelpans Chrome Low C Tenor Pan Package (Tenor pan, case, stand and sticks)
  • Second: $800.00 USD; Virtual one-on-one session with world-renowned steelpannist, Victor Provost.
  • Third:  $500.00 USD Virtual one-on-one session with world-renowned steelpannist, Victor Provost.

You can catch the Finals below!

 

Final Standings for the Finals

  1. Keishaun Julien (T&T) -93.2 points
  2. Dejean Cain (T&T) – 92.4 points
  3. Tyeesha Alexander (T&T) – 92.2 points
  4. Earl Brooks Jr. (T&T) – 91.6 points
  5. Mathieu Borgne (France) – 89.6 points
  6. Andre Forde (Barbados) – 89.2 points
  7. Hanif Goodridge (T&T) – 84.6 points
  8. Charlton Alfonso (T&T) – 77.8 points
  9. Jamel Cadette (T&T) – 76.4 points
  10. David Yundi (USA) 75. 8 points

Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra Lives On

Posted on by Overtime Media

The Queen’s Park Savannah and environs are unusually quiet this weekend, as the cancelation of Carnival, and by extension Panorama 2021 generates a morbid silence over the city of Port of Spain and the twin-island Republic as a whole. Similar to the gut-wrenching pain felt by members of the Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra (TASSO) in March last year when their legendary founder, Neville Jules passed on into pan heaven, the absence of the national contest of steelbands this month has been devastating to the vast majority of industry stakeholders.

COVID-19 protocols have limited practices and cancelled performances for almost a full year now, but fortunately, in the hearts and minds of the thousands of players, arrangers, and steelpan enthusiasts around the world, the music still lives on.

“It’s good for people to know that some things remain consistent in this ever-changing world,” stated TASSO’s Executive Member, Staci-Ann Patrick. “Last Sunday for our annual Thanksgiving Mass was only the second time that the stage-side has played since the lockdown in March 2020. My heart cried when not even one note from a pan was heard last year as Neville ‘Cap’ Jules (who died on Carnival Wednesday 2020) was buried at the end of March!

“In spite of our deep longing to play, All-Stars members have been trying to manage our health by not gathering and thus, respecting the COVID-19 guidelines, but with the scent of Carnival blowing in on the evening breeze daily, it’s becoming harder to accept the sacrifices that we have had to make as a community. Day in and day out we walk the tightrope of lives vs livelihood. We understand the pain of losing some of our own to COVID-19, so we want to do everything we can to avoid that, but at the same time, we have to find ways to replace the passion, the creativity, the incomes, the dedication, and discipline, etc. that Cap instilled in us years ago, and which we usually display every season.”

Still, the band was not completely dormant in 2020, with various members representing the orchestra most recently at performances for the ‘Panology’ virtual event hosted as part of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) festival held in October, a televised show on TTT in November entitled ‘Through the Eyes of Panorama’ paying tribute to their longstanding Panorama arranger, Leon ‘Smooth’ Edwards and the grand televised launch of the inaugural TT Female Basketball League by the National Basketball Federation in December.

Petal Jack, section leader and quads player reminisced:

“It felt good being behind my instrument again. Even though it was only for a few minutes, I was overjoyed. Connecting with my pan was euphoric!”

 

During the initial COVID-19 lockdown period, the band successfully commenced and completed major renovative works on their pan-yard. Successfully redesigning the space, crafting an all-new bar, gift center, and shopping facility, but with restrictions on gatherings still in effect, the band has been unable to launch this new initiative thus far.

Whilst many other steelbands and even All-Stars’ soloist Dane Gulston have staged or plan to stage smaller-scale live and virtual events, the TASSO family was hard-at-work on a different way to represent the national instrument in 2021 and beyond. Following his untimely passing in 2020, the TASSO Executive made an official request to the Port of Spain City Corporation to rename the junction of George and Duke Streets to the Neville Jules Junction in tribute to the legendary pan virtuoso, who gave so much to the steel pan fraternity.

“We are blessed to have had elders like Neville Jules believing in the dream of music on steel.” Said Gulston. “Were it not for him and others in the 1940s showing tremendous courage, creativity, and discipline, the instrument may not be the same and we definitely would not be the band we are today; that is why we are dedicated to remembering them and honouring their legacies in very tangible and visible ways.”

 

Follow @trinidadallstars for more info.

Majesty Of A Panyard Experience

Posted on by David Boothman

Carnival is here again. Revellers and mas camp designers are busy preparing and applying the finishing touches to their costumes. The music is out. Radio stations are playing their selections on the airwaves. Panyards are drilling their Panorama song. The competition is on. The yards are swarmed with supporters and newcomers are bused and carpooled to experience this phenomenal outdoor acoustic event. The excitement is here!

I visited the panyard early in the season to witness and experience the process of the creative at work. To really experience the bliss and sophistication of the music in a panyard is to be without bias, without the competition, without the tribal gloating — when everyone, it seems, comes to judge and arrange the arranger.
The panyard for this exercise was Phase2 Pan Groove with their arranger and leader, Len Boogsie Sharpe – the Mozart/Art Tatum of pan.
This panyard has been the playground for this musical folk genius’ exploration of the science of boom acoustic of the pan and its musical phenomena and potential. He has explored the full tonal potential of the boom acoustic instrument and its music. This savant-like skill in ascertaining rhythms and tonal clusters with undulating melodies and harmonics in the most complex asymmetry is beyond the conventional — and is uniquely his. As an arranger, Phase2 has become Boogsie’s instrument with a palette of skilled pannists all technically set and ready to lay the canvas for his music.

 

Phase2’ 2019 song of choice was “Party Start” written by Marvin Davis and sung by Swappi & Ultimate Rejects. During my visit to the yard, I sat next to Boogsie as he listened attentively as Akua Leith (Artistic Director/Conductor of the National Steel Symphony Orchestra) drilled the musicians through the nuances of the parts and passages of the song and arrangement. The “Party Start” is a simple two chords song. I sat listening and absorbing the majesty of the creative at play; Boogsie’s renditioning of a simple song.
Within a passing twenty-four bars passage, I was taken back into an Art Deco period — a memory of the Globe Theatre, Princess Building and Queen’s Park Hotel, then through the romantic period with the big band era 50’s sound of Edmundo Ross and Sel Duncan filled with Castilian lines, calypso dance riffs and montonos. This passage in the midst of other parts of the arrangement can be fleeting according to the tempo. The historic visitation, the memory, the lingering deja-vu are akin to taste and subtleties of transcendence. As in Yogic experience, the realization only comes when you are at one in unity away from gross. The music offers that opportunity, that space and connectedness.
This is for the art appreciation students and music enthusiasts: a one on one with the music. When you travel inside the music, see if it is there the next day. The music changes, always changes. What stays is what we receive from it.

Boogsie & David Boothman

I have had a relationship with Phase2 Panyard since its yesteryear inception in 1971 and ever since, Phase2 was always the rebel in the music. There was the early inclusion of conventional instruments collaboration with pan. Caribbean jazz musicians around in the early days were the likes of Bailey brothers, Richard and Robert, Andy Phillips, Clive Zanda, Raf Robertson, Ian Villafana, Happy Williams and brother Michael Boothman to name a few.
The first collaborative Calypso Jazz concert “Kaiso Caravan,” which was conceived by my father, Oliver Boothman was a collaboration with Family Tree the Band in which Boogsie played, along with Clive Zanda Gayap, Scofield Pilgrim QRC Jazz Club disciples and early Phase2 managed by Peter Aleong. This was the nexus which spawned the Calypso Jazz, Caribbean Jazz and Pan Jazz throughout the region and back…to the panyard.

David Boothman is founder of Caribbean Renaissance Foundation. He is also master artist in residence at the University of Trinidad and Tobago
David Boothman Resonating Affinities:Critical thinking and action in Culture, Arts and Sciences; (C) Caribbean Renaissance Foundation; Artist/composer/musician/educator

 

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It was evident at the recent Carifesta XIV “All Jazzed Up” concert why many consider jazz to be the pinnacle of black music. The night was filled with the mastery of musical geniuses as Caribbean jazz professionals from across the diaspora performed to the delight of local jazz aficionados

Carnival 2020 Officially Launches In Trinidad and Tobago

Posted on by Nekisha Cyrus

Are you ready for Carnival?

Known as the ‘Home of Carnival’, Trinidad and Tobago officially launched their Carnival 2020 on Sunday 29th September 2019 at Carnival City, Queen’s Park Savannah.

The launch was originally scheduled to take place on the Monday 23rd September, the day before Trinidad and Tobago celebrated their 43rd Republic Day. However, the event had to be postponed due to the country being placed under a Tropical Storm watch which was later discontinued. With more time to plan and prepare for an even bigger and better event, the National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago (NCC) did not disappoint with this year’s themed ‘Rejuvenation Better than before’.

As hundreds of patrons turned out to witness and partake in the carnival formalities and festivities, CEH was there to give our readers an inside look of the evening proceedings. The event commenced with a musical welcome and street parade leading to stage featuring Dancers, Traditional Carnival Masqueraders including Mokojumbies, Blue Devils and musical items including Rhythm section, Tamboo Bamboo, Tassa and the Steelpan.

 

The Chairman of the NCC, Mr. Winston ‘Gypsy’ Peters gave a passionate and welcoming speech where he emphasized the importance of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago, stating that spending money on carnival is one of the best investments that our country can make, because it yields immediate economic returns.

 

Moving along to the most anticipated aspect of the evening, the live entertainment brought with it something to be appreciated by both the young and old. Featuring performances by well-known calypsonians and soca artistes, live bands and steelpan. Some of the highlights of the evening included performances from Chutney Soca band Ravi B & Karma, Soca veteran Blaxx, Calypso monarch winner Ronaldo London, four-time Junior Calypso monarch Aaron Duncan,  Calypsonian veteran Lord Relator and renowed Extempo Master Black Sage; who took us on a reminiscent trip down memory lane and was later joint on stage in a comical Extempo battle by Mr. Winston ‘Gypsy’ Peters.

 

The talented and beautiful Calypso Diva and former Calypso Monarch, Karene Ashe also performed giving a powerful rendition of her composition ‘Every Knee Shall Bow’.

 

 

 Our national instrument was also suitably in the mix, filling the air with sweet sounding steelpan music as Desperadoes delivered a musical medley of popular soca hits bringing patrons energetically to their feet.

 

 

And what is carnival without the sound of soca as patrons were treated to jam session with the living legend himself, Super Blue performing many of his timeless classics.

 

 

Ending the night’s festivities was soca artiste Farmer Nappy alongside the band Karma as he hooked the crowd performing his 2019 hit single ‘Hook Meh’ and even singing a piece of Nadia Batson ‘So Long’ also featured on the same riddim.

 

 

With Carnival 2020 officially launched, the countdown is now on to the greatest show on earth. We at Caribbean Entertainment Hub will like to commend the NCC for their magnificent display of our Trinidad and Tobago carnival culture and we urge you to stay tuned as we continue to keep you updated with everything in carnival and entertainment that’s well on its way.

 

Hashtags:

#Carnival2020 #TrinidadandTobago #TheHomeofCarnival #QueensParkSavannah #SuperBlue #FarmerNappy #Karma #AaronDuncan #Desperadoes

Ken “Professor Philmore: Sound in Steel

Posted on by A. Felecia Valenzuela

Caribbean Entertainment Hub joins the national community of Trinidad & Tobago, as well as the worldwide steelpan fraternity to mourn the untimely passing of legendary pannist, Ken “Professor” Philmore.
Philmore, who was 58 years old, died at the Intensive Care Unit of the San Fernando General Hospital on Sunday September 30th, 2018; he was an ace pannist, steelpan arranger and composer.

Ken “Professor” Philmore who became a beloved son of South Trinidad, began to hone his skills on the national instrument at a very early age and went on to establish himself as one of the premiere names in pan. In 1988 he took his talent abroad and performed with Tina Turner and Lionel Hampton in New York and in 1989 he received a special award for his contribution to music in New York City by then Mayor, Edward Irving Koch.

Ken professor Philmore

The “Professor” captivated audiences with his wizardry at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York, the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. International artistes who Philmore accompanied included jazz greats like: Sarah Vaughn, George Benson, Bob James and George Howard; and pop super stars like: Mariah Carey and Freddie Jackson. Ken was also invited by Mercer Ellington to join the acclaimed Duke Ellington Orchestra for their tours to Europe and North America. Thus, he has long been described as a pannist of today and tomorrow.

According to his wife, Sophia, via Facebook, he died at approximately 9.30 in the morning, following injuries he sustained in an accident on the Republic Day holiday, along the north bound lane of the Solomon Hochoy Highway near Claxton Bay.
Police told local media that Philmore sustained broken ribs and his lungs had collapsed during the accident.

As news of his passing spread, fans and supporters were no doubt in shock, even the country’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley. In an official statement Dr. Rowley expressed condolences to the family and friends of Philmore, as well as to the worldwide steelpan fraternity. Dr. Rowley praised Philmore saying that as a self-taught musician he demonstrated a continuous dedication to his craft, which solidified him as an incomparable talent. Meanwhile, the Mayor of San Fernando, Junia Regrello, said Philmore’s passing was a big loss to the pan fraternity, adding that he represented San Fernando with pride.

Ken Philmore in the panyard

Philmore’s early introduction to pan came through his family. He then played with Hatters, then with Kalomo Kings in 1977 and Gay Hoytonians before settling with Fonclaire Steel Orchestra in 1981.
He also assisted Fonclaire in reaching a joint 6th place with his arrangement of Pan in A Minor.His association with Fonclaire enabled the band to be joint winners in 1988 with Deltones and for the next four years, winners of the South Zone of Panorama.
He also began composing tunes for Panorama; Pan By Storm (1990), Pan Ecstasy (1991) and Pan in the Party (1992). During the years 1989, 1990 and 1991, his arrangements placed second each year in Panorama with his band Fonclaire.
In 1989 Philmore was honoured by Pan Trinbago, as the most outstanding musical arranger for that year. In 1996 he received commendation from Pan Trinbago as one of the most promising arrangers.
As a nation began to come to terms will the passing of their august son. Plains for the celebration of his life are solemnly being made. Ken “Professor” Philmore will surely be missed by the entertainment community in Trinidad and Tobago and beyond for his sound in steel.
By: A. Felecia Valenzuela