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Panmen ‘knighted’
Published:
Friday, June 29, 2012
Steelpan News
Pan great Anthony Williams, seated, Earl “Loveman” Brooks, left, and Kenneth “Pan Am” Clarke, who joined the band as a child. Photo: Keith Anderson
It was an investiture and birthday party rolled into one. I am talking about last Sunday’s birthday party of pan scientist Anthony “Tony” Williams to celebrate his 81st birthday and the 50th anniversary triumph of the Pan Am North Stars in the 1962 Steelband Music Festival. The celebration also included Anthony Williams honouring the contributions of Ray “Sugar Ray” Holman, Robbie “Sugar Hand” Greenidge, Earl “Loveman” Brooks, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and Pelham “PG” Goddard. Each player, a pannist, composer and arranger in his own right, was awarded a beautifully-crafted trophy, distributed by Tony himself. Loveman Brooks later told the Pan Buzz he felt “honoured” to receive such an award. It was as though pan great Anthony Williams was knighting these pannists, with the commendation “son well done.” Robbie and Boogsie were not there in person, but in spirit. It was truly a great occasion as former members of the North Stars came to celebrate with Tony, including the youngest of the then Pan Am North Stars, Kenneth “Pan Am” Clarke.
Important reminders...
Pan will take centre-stage at Santana’s Bar, Point Cumana, just off the Western Main Road on Sunday, St Peter’s Day. Stardust Steel Orchestra will entertain during the day. Steelbands are reminded that registration for Panorama 2013 closes on July 13. Registration forms are available from Pan Trinbago offices in the various regions. Get the children off to the pan camps and Music Schools in the Panyard (already in progress), as it could only benefit them greatly. Venues for the Music Schools in the Panyard are: north—Casablanca Pan Theatre; east—Potential Symphony and Exodus Pan Theatre; south/central—Couva Joylanders and Skiffle Bunch Pan Theatres. Limited spaces, on a first-come, first-served basis, are available in the Pan In Schools co-ordinating Council and bpTT Pan Workshops 2012. Areas to be covered are music composition, Panorama arranging and pan-playing techniques. Target audiences are school teachers, students (forms three to five) and CXC music students. Register early.
more info
For further information call 748-4290; 755-6274.
Applications can be downloaded at www.pscc.info; and when completed faxed to 638-2834.
Will a local composer get a bite at the cherry?
Two significant positives have emerged from the recent visit of the prestigious National Symphony Orchestra of the John F Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts in celebration of this country’s 50th Anniversary of Independence. Apart from being inspired by the National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) at the percussion concert and the performance of the Silver Stars Steel Orchestra, Maestro Christoph Eschenbach announced he was so moved to include the steelpan as instrument in the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), and commission a musical piece for the steelpan. The composition will be played first in T&T, before being performed worldwide. The move to include the steelpan in the NSO orchestra could only enhance the steelpan’s importance and growing recognition in the world. It’s the Pan Buzz hope that a local composer will get a bite at the cherry to compose the commissioned piece. I don’t wish to cause any controversy, but only make a simple request. We have no shortage of talent in that area, as composers and previous compositions have shown. Kitch’s Pan in A Minor, Ray Holman’s Oh Trinidad, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe’s Rain Forest and Dance of the Douens, Rudy Wells’ Dawn Of A New Millenium and Jason “Peanuts” Isaac’s Pan Redemption are all classy, and I have not even called those of Liam Teague, Winsford “Joker” Des Vignes and others.
Talking about the NSSO, now in its fifth year, under the baton of musical director Jessel Murray, the band is playing music sweeter than Caroni brown sugar as it gears for 50th Anniversary of Independence activities. Pan Buzz heard them lately on their Genesis Pans (G-Pan) and had to tap my foot, then shake a leg. Even a man paralysed from the waist down has to move. Their interpretation of Trini, arranged by band member Amrit Samaroo is awesome, and Patriotic Suite by Mervyn Saunders blows you away. Both songs are expected to be part of the band’s Independence repertoire. Musical director, Jessel Murray told Pan Buzz he is proud of his charges and of how the band has progressed. He said each member of the band, 30 in number, is musically literate and responsible. “When I am absent, the band carries on its work,” he said with a smile. The NSSO is coming out of fantastic performances at the recent Steelfestt Concert with Drums of India. Last year the band held its concert, Pan on A Higher Note, playing the classics, jazz and calypso. Prior to that the NSSO performed in Costa Rica, and was well received.
The NSSO, formed in 2007, falls under the supervision of the Division of Culture in the Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturism. Pan Buzz says be sure to catch performances of the NSSO in the run-up to Independence Day.
Will a local composer get a bite at the cherry?
Two significant positives have emerged from the recent visit of the prestigious National Symphony Orchestra of the John F Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts in celebration of this country’s 50th Anniversary of Independence. Apart from being inspired by the National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) at the percussion concert and the performance of the Silver Stars Steel Orchestra, Maestro Christoph Eschenbach announced he was so moved to include the steelpan as instrument in the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), and commission a musical piece for the steelpan. The composition will be played first in T&T, before being performed worldwide. The move to include the steelpan in the NSO orchestra could only enhance the steelpan’s importance and growing recognition in the world. It’s the Pan Buzz hope that a local composer will get a bite at the cherry to compose the commissioned piece. I don’t wish to cause any controversy, but only make a simple request. We have no shortage of talent in that area, as composers and previous compositions have shown. Kitch’s Pan in A Minor, Ray Holman’s Oh Trinidad, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe’s Rain Forest and Dance of the Douens, Rudy Wells’ Dawn Of A New Millenium and Jason “Peanuts” Isaac’s Pan Redemption are all classy, and I have not even called those of Liam Teague, Winsford “Joker” Des Vignes and others.
Talking about the NSSO, now in its fifth year, under the baton of musical director Jessel Murray, the band is playing music sweeter than Caroni brown sugar as it gears for 50th Anniversary of Independence activities. Pan Buzz heard them lately on their Genesis Pans (G-Pan) and had to tap my foot, then shake a leg. Even a man paralysed from the waist down has to move. Their interpretation of Trini, arranged by band member Amrit Samaroo is awesome, and Patriotic Suite by Mervyn Saunders blows you away. Both songs are expected to be part of the band’s Independence repertoire. Musical director, Jessel Murray told Pan Buzz he is proud of his charges and of how the band has progressed. He said each member of the band, 30 in number, is musically literate and responsible. “When I am absent, the band carries on its work,” he said with a smile. The NSSO is coming out of fantastic performances at the recent Steelfestt Concert with Drums of India. Last year the band held its concert, Pan on A Higher Note, playing the classics, jazz and calypso. Prior to that the NSSO performed in Costa Rica, and was well received. The NSSO, formed in 2007, falls under the supervision of the Division of Culture in the Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturism. Pan Buzz says be sure to catch performances of the NSSO in the run-up to Independence Day.
Orville was right
Orville Wright will best be remembered for his expert analyses of the National Panorama competitions. He was always right on target with his commentaries with sidekick Dr Jeanine Remy. Both complemented each other. Pan Buzz will miss this pan soldier, who also conducted workshops about judging Panorama. Based in Boston, USA, pianist, musicologist and tutor, Wright taught at Berklee College. He was also a keep-fit buff. Every time he was in T&T he could be seen jogging around the Queen’ s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. He would often stop to chat with Pan Buzz. Orville loved pan and jazz music, and once held a jazz show—Wright, Reid and Happy. Pan Buzz sends condolences to the family, relatives and friends of this pan stalwart.
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