Narell Brothers, 3 Steelbands Honor Ellie Mannette

On Thursday, April 10, 2008, three collegiate steel bands will combine forces with two of America’s premiere pan talents to present a tribute concert for pan pioneer and legend Ellie Mannette in Morgantown, West Virginia.

The three bands (Miami U, Eastern Kentucky U, and West Virginia U) will perform the entire concert together, in “mass band” fashion. MU Steel Band director Chris Tanner estimates there will be more than 70 pan players on stage, a major milestone for university steelbands in the U.S.A.

Repertoire for the event includes original music from both Andy and Jeff Narell, as well as offerings from Chris Tanner and Jason Koontz, directors of the MU and EKU groups, respectively. The bands will perform about two hours worth of material in total.

“It has been a tremendous challenge for our students to prepare this much music in one year,” said Tanner, “but the reward will be worth the effort.”

Click on headlines for full story.

'In Steel' solo pan CD release

"In Steel', a solo pan act featuring Ferguson Glasgow from the Bay Area's Harmonics Steelband, recently released a new CD. The album has seven tracks showcasing Glasgow's talent as a lead pan player supported by bass player and guitarist 'Charlo' Jules.

The seven cuts include: Hot Hot Hot, Crisis, Calzouk, Marcela, Tenement Yard, Waterfalls and Bob Marley's Natural Mystic. The CD was released to coincide with the traditional spring launching of the Bay Area's pan-gigging season.

The CD can be purchased by calling 'In Steel' at 510 215 5938.

Steel Jam at Open House

Steel Jam performs this Sun., March 30:

1- 4 PM Open House at 114 Paradise Dr., Pacifica, CA
Steel Jam entertains potential home buyers as they view this beautiful property.
Come on out, groove to Steel Jam’s tunes, and have a look for yourself!

Calypso Dreams Released on DVD this Summer

Finally, Calypso Dreams, the award-winning documentary is scheduled for release on DVD this summer. The politics that delayed the release for almost 4 years has finally been cleared and the long-awaited video will be availabe in stores soon. For an extensive interview on the background of the film, check out this link: http://www.jouvay.com/CalypsoDreams.htm

Calypso Dreams was Winner of the Best Caribbean Documentary at the Jamerican Film Festival, Audience Favorite at the DC Film fest, Pan- African film festival, Mill Valley Film Fest and embraced by an entire nation in Trinidad, Calypso Dreams chronicles the rich and complex cultural roots of calypso music in Trinidad and Tobago.

Produced and directed by Geoffrey Dunn and Michael Horne with co-producers Mark Schwartz, Eric Thierman, associate producers Alvin Daniel, Sandra Derrell and Andrew Marcano (Lord Superior), Calypso Dreams is an intimate portrait of some of the true Calypsonians in Trinidad and Tobago, in performance and in conversation. Shot over 3 years in Port of Spain, Trinidad, the documentary includes such legendary calypsonians as Lord Pretender, Lord Kitchener, The Mighty Bomber, Relator, Lord Superior, Brigo, Mystic Prowler, Calypso Rose, The Mighty Sparrow, Terror, Valentino, Blakie, David Rudder, Regeneration Now, The Mighty Duke, Conqueror and many others.

Check this blog regularly for breaking news on Calypso Dreams.

Ray Obiedo & Mambo Caribe w Jeff Narell & Phil Hawkins

Appearing Friday night in Sausalito and Saturday night In Berkeley !
Ray Obiedo + Mambo Caribe, withJeff Narell - Steel Pans
Rose Anne Dimalanta - Keyboards
Michael Spiro - Percussion
David Belove - Bass
Phil Hawkins -Drums

Friday March 28, 2008, Studio 333333, Caledonia St., Sausalito
Doors at 8:00 Music at 8:30
To buy tickets Via Phone with Visa or MC 415.389.5072 or
Studio 333 Box Office
More info: http://www.murphyproductions.com/

Also appearing Saturday March 29, 2008 at Anna's Jazz Island
2 sets starting at 8 pm
2120 Allston Way Berkeley, Ca 94704
(510) 841-JAZZ(just east of Shattuck Ave & Downtown Berkeley BART) http://www.annasjazzisland.com/

Stanford's Cardinal Calypso Steelband

Cardinal Calypso is Stanford University's new campus steel pan ensemble. We are a student group founded in 2005 through a Pierce Award grant from the Stanford Alumni Association (2004 Pierce Award, "The 'Pan' American Project."). Our goal is to educate the university community on Carribean music and culture through workshops and performances.
Interested in Joining?

Contact Liezel

Lamorinda Group Kicks off spring Session

The Lamorinda Steel Drum Group kicks off the Spring session March 30. The session will run for 6 weeks ending on May 4. For info on other eastbay classes see the 2/28/08 post.

Spring Clearance on Steel Drum Stands

Look good and sound good. Only a handful available at spring clearance prices.
If you're looking for a sturdy professional model pan stand the PRO ADJUSTABLE, collapsible single pan stand is the one for you.
Get the security and value that you want in a stand at an unbeatable price. Bottom tripod is double-braced chromed. Top carrier is painted steel-grey.

Available at www.kakesa.com.

ECO-SHEEN the best protection for your pan

ECO-SHEEN is a new, revolutionary and environmentally safe way to clean, seal, polish, and protect your pan. Eco-Sheen can also be used on cars, trucks, R.V’s, boats, motorcycles, airplanes, mirrors; windows, fiberglass, chrome, plastic, or any glossy painted surface.

Use ECO-SHEEN in any weather - hot, cold, or humid. Your pan will shine!

It’s as Easy as 1, 2, 3...
1. Apply ECO-SHEEN™ directly to your pan.
2. Spray it on evenly, right over the dirt, grime, or marks.
3. Polish with a soft dry cloth.

Product Features:

• Cleans, seals, polishes, and protects in one easy step without water.

• Works on any hard surface.

• Safe on all types of paint, including clear-coat.

• Cleans dirt, grime, marks, road haze, and road tar.

• Safely and effectively removes oxidation.

• Removes paint overspray.

• Great around the house for counters, kitchens or bathrooms.

• Use on glossy painted surfaces, metal, glass, mirrors, plastic, fiberglass, and chrome.

Our exclusive formula, Electrotek-PCM™ is saturated with positively charged ions, that chemically (ionically) adhere to the negative surfaces of the vehicle. ECO-SHEEN™ is enhanced with liquid carnauba wax which protects the vehicle’s delicate surface. After the final step with the polishing cloth, a hard waxed sheen remains giving a long lasting protective finish.

Available at www.kakesa.com

Trinidad and Tobago Police Marching Band

The Harmonizer A Must for Every Pan Player!

The Harmonizer is the most incredibly comprehensive reference music tool we have come across. It is a music course in itself. But it also allows you to get the most from your pan lessons or self-study courses. You will progress on your pan much faster when you add it to your learning program.

If you’re new to steel drums/pan, it is important to understand that music is a language, and the sound of your steel drum is your voice. The notes on your pan are equivalent to the alphabets in this language. But if you are to communicate intelligently, you need to know and understand the grammar and vocabulary of the language. That is found in music theory. And there is no more comprehensive tool or device on the market for that purpose than the Harmonizer.


The thing that the Harmonizer is best at is making music fun. It is fun when you can play what you want and play along with others. It is fun when you can compose and improvise with ease. It is fun when you delight others who listen to you.

Here are some other features and benefits you'll enjoy:
• It gives you mastery of chord names and usage.

• Shows how to use scales and modes for improvising and soloing.

• Shows you chord substitutions to give your playing more originality.

• Shows new and versitile chord progressions.

• Lets you transpose from key to key easily.

• Shows you how to modulate from one key to another smoothly.

• Shows you modes and chords derived from the diatonic (major) scale.

• Shows you modes and chords derived from the melodic minor (jazz) scale.

• Shows you modes and chords derived from the harmonic minor scale.

• Shows you intervals, chord extentions, and more.

• Helps improve your ear by showing you likely tonal possibilities.

• Gives you a vocabulary you can use to communicate to other musicians.

• Fuels your creativity by giving you more musical ideas to work with.

• Makes playing fun by making it easier to play along with others.

• Gives you confidence from a better understanding of music.

With this knowledge of music you will feel more confident playing your pan and enjoy jamming with others. It's amazing!
Comes in two color styles, Techno and Classic. Each has the same musical information and comes with a 40-page guide to understanding music theory.

It’s the best investment you’ll ever make in your music education. You already have the voice, why not learn the language that makes it sing!

Now available at www.kakesa.com!

Phil Hawkins Sneak Preview (Steel Drum) Concert

If you're looking for a great evening of music and food, please check out our next gig at Senzala Brasilian Restaurant on Sat. April 12, 7:30pm

Senzala is located at 250 E. Java in Sunnyvale, Ca. 408-734-1656 http://www.senzalarestaurant.com/

I'll be playing steeldrums and percussion along with:Murray Low - keysMarc van Wageningen - bassRay Obiedo - guitarPaul van Wageningen - drums

$5 Cover WONDERFUL Brasilian food available!

Come and hear a sneak preview of the new material from my next recording. We'll be heading into the studio the very next day to work with all the above as well as vocalistsMichelle Hawkins, Jessica Vatour, percussionists Michael Spiroand Pete Escovedo and trumpet master Randy Brecker.Hope to see a bunch of you there.

Thanks!

Phil Hawkins

Liam Teague joins CSM Panhandlers in Concert

When: 5/3/2008 [ 8:00pm ]

What: The CSM Panhandlers Steel Drum Band presents LIAM TEAGUE . . . "The Paganini of Steelpan". With special guests: Michael Spiro, Remi Spiro, The Nueva School Steel Bands.

Where: COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO THEATER
1700 WEST HILLSDALE BLVD , IN THE CITY OF SAN MATEO

Ticket Info: TICKET PRICES ARE: $ 20.00 GENERAL ADMISSION $ 18.00 FOR SENIORS / STUDENTS AND CHILDREN (under 14). More info coming soon!

Below is a video of CSM P at last spring's concert:

Shabang! steel drum band schedule for March'08

Check this link to see where Shabang! will be performing in March: http://www.shabang.us/calendar.html

Below: Shabang! at Caribbean Night Pool Party last summer

A Message from (Boogsie sharpe) a Master

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‘Boogsie’ – playing 'My Way" solo on Double seconds

By NASSER KHAN Sunday, March 16 2008
Affectionately known as “Pip” to his close friends (as in “Pip and the Convict” he says), Lennox “Boogsie” Sharpe, 54, is one of TT’s most gifted — “God-given” he acknowledges — talents in the steelpan arena. He is generally acknowledged as one of the greatest steelpan players, if not the greatest ever.

The five-time Panorama arranger winner (winner of three of the past four Panorama finals), plans to catch up with his good friend Jit Samaroo’s nine wins and has a burning desire to three-peat — a goal that has eluded him on two occasions. He is motivated by this goal so we can look forward to his presence in the coming years, he insists.


Lamenting on the on-going sad state of facilities for the national instrument and the treatment meted out to pannists in general, Boogsie hopes that the powers-that-be will come together to truly brand the national instrument and protect all the rights that go with its invention and innovation (proprietary, intellectual, etc).


He hopes they can develop and maintain ways to show the nation’s appreciation for this country’s gift to the world, as he calls it. Boogsie has established his genius over the past forty-plus years with his arrangements for many calypsonians, vocalists and steelbands in TT and the Caribbean, North America, and Europe and has been composer/arranger-in-residence at Phase II Pan Groove (currently Petrotrin sponsored) since 1974.


Sharpe does not read or write music yet he conceives elaborate compositions and arrangements and teaches them to the players note by note, phrase by phrase. Described as ‘the Mozart of pan’ by Wynton Marsalis, he remains a humble, generous man whose St James home is a repository of his treasured memories many of which he emotionally described during this interview and are captured in the following 20 questions:


1. Where /how did you earn the nickname “Boogsie”? My mom, the late Grace Isabella Sharpe, says that when I was born an angel called out “Boogsie” to her. No one knows what it means.


2. When and where did you play your first steelpan? As a youngster, at this very location, which in addition to being our home was also the panyard for the Symphonettes led and arranged for by my cousin Rupert ‘Shadow’ Nathaniel.


3. Of all your recordings available, which four arrangements would you most like people to hear? “In the Rain Forest” the winning composition/arrangement at the World Steelband Music Festival in October 2000; ‘Woman is Boss’ Panorama winner 1988; ‘Trini Gone Wild’ Panorama winner 2005; ‘Musical Vengeance’ Panorama winner 2008.


4. Favourite calypso/soca song(s) of all time and by whom? ‘Pan Night and Day’ by the late great Kitch ‘School Days’ by Sparrow


5. Where were you born and where did you grow up? Born at Benares Street, St James, and grew up right here.


6. The one place you would like to visit and why? Toronto, Canada to visit my three grandsons especially to see the last one who is now four years old….that is my greatest wish at the moment. I hear that Scotiabank announced the sponsorship of Caribana so I am hoping they will consider sending a contingent of this year’s Panorama champions.…yuh could write dat in de papers?....ah hope de boss man at Scotia read de Newsday (laughs heartily as he proudly shows of a picture of his three grandsons. His fourth grandson, Hashim, of whom he is very proud and who lives with him, has taken a liking to the steelpan).


7. Your favourite meal or dish/food? A good chicken pelau with some callaloo and a cold diet Sprite to wash it down.


8. Who were the people or person who influenced you the most to become the acknowledged great pannist/arranger you are today? Definitely my father who used to take me to various panyards and to play in competitions as a youngster once he realised that I had the talent… and of course my mom, who I dearly loved… cherish your mother, you hear.


9. What is your greatest accomplishment? Winning the World Steelband Music Festival in 2000 with my composition and arrangement of ‘In the Rainforest’…I hope you have the CD. Also, being honoured by UTT recently (proudly displays photo and certificate).


10. Even though you won your 5th Panorama title this year what was the feeling like when you heard that you had won? It is hard to explain the joyous feeling especially after the pain we all felt at last year’s tough loss when the entire pan fraternity thought that we should have won.


11. What is your most prized possession? All these photographs on the walls you see of all my family including my grandparents, my parents, my children and grandchildren. I truly appreciate the mothers of my children too.


12. What do most people NOT know about you? That Barrington Levy, the Jamaican reggae star, is my first cousin (pointing to one of the many pictures on the wall). Also, that I am a good piano player.


13. What ,when, where was your first paying job? As a pan player with the steelband Crossfire on Nepaul Street back in about 1965….50 cents, plenty money back then for a young boy.


14. Do you support the changing of the dates for Carnival and why? I’d rather not touch that one.


15. If you could dine with anyone in history, who would that be? Nelson Mandela...that is a great man.


16. If you could hire any singer or band (other than Phase II) to perform in your living room, who would you pick? Stevie Wonder doing ‘Ebony and Ivory’, my favourite non-calypso, pan song.


17. What advice would you give to young people? Love your own people and culture…we tend not to appreciate ours.


18. Who was your hero or idol growing up? In pan, Mr Anthony Williams and in music otherwise, Stevie Wonder.


19. What would you say is your greatest virtue? Helping people, a virtue I learned from my mom whom I cherish and love so dearly.


20. What daily motto do you live by? Take one day at a time.

Steel Jam Headlines “KQED Women’s History Month” fete

Steel Jam has just been invited to perform:
for
“KQED Celebrates Women’s History Month”
(sponsored by KQED, Wells Fargo and Subaru)

--Wed., March 19, 6:30-8:30 PM (Awards ceremony followed by reception, with Steel Jam)
--At KQED (2601 Mariposa Street (at Bryant) in San Francisco
--RSVP your reservation by Monday, March 17 via email (rsvpwhm@kqed.org) or phone: (415) 553-2382
--Space is limited · Complimentary valet parking

Putting the sting in your sticks

Experienced pan players know your sticks feel sweet only after you've beaten down the edges from playing for a while. Why? Because you get more surface contact between the note and your stick.

That's why some pros grind down the edges of their new mallets to get that well used feel. With PanWest Stealthsticks, you don't have to wait for that happy day. We grind down the edge for you, just enough so 'they feel like yours' from day one.
As you can see, we don't just put latex on some pretty-colored tubing and call it a mallet. We think of every possible way to make you sound good and feel good. If you can relate to this, these sticks are for you. Get yours now at Kakesa.com!