TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
WHAT IS A STEEL PAN A Steel Pan, also known as Steel Drum, is a musical intrument which originated from Trinidad & Tobago between 1880 and 1937. It is a chromatically pitched percussion instrument made from 55 gallon industrial drums. It is also the National instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. The pan is struck using a pair of straight sticks tipped with rubber; the size and type of rubber tip varies according to the class of pan being played. Some musicians use four pansticks, holding two in each hand. This skill and performance has been conclusively shown to have grown out of Trinidad and Tobago s early 20th-century Carnival percussion groups known as Tamboo Bamboo. A Pannist (sometimes panist or panman), is a person who plays the steelpan. Our professional Pannists can perform solo pieces, play with a steel band, or accompany one or more singers or solo instrumentalists. Pannists often play with their respective bands in large competitions, and generally memorize everything that they perform
WHY HIRE OUR PANNISTS LIVE PERFORMANCES Have an event that requires light background music/ live music accompanied by a DJ or a Caribbean themed beach party that needs that authentic beach look and sound? Look no further. Our Pannists can perform at any location, function, event, party, gathering etc. TUTOURING With the ever growing music industry, finding new and original sounds is key. Our Pannists are top of line professionals and can teach any persons, groups or schools interested in learning the Steel Pan. CLICK IMAGE TO HEAR THE SWEET SOUND OF JAZZ (VIDEO COURTSEY BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC) MANUFACTURING CLICK IMAGE TO HEAR THE SWEET SOUND OF CALYPSO For example: Brunches Dinners Office Functions Birthday Parties Club Events Restaurants Beach Parties Hotels You name it and we re there. Making Steel Pans (steel drums) is an art! They are made entirely by hand and require skill, patience and practice (as well as a strong arm and a good pair of earmuffs). Our Pannists can make one for you and your family. There are two main methods of making steel pans. The traditional method, which uses a 55 gallon metal drum as starting material. This is by far the most popular method A more recent method which uses sheet metal as starting material
WHO ARE OUR PANNISTS MICHAEL A. GABRIEL www.michaelagabriel.com Michael Gabriel is a steel pan player, educator, arranger, builder, and tuner. He began playing pans young, and by age 13, was touring the world with some of Trinidad s best steel pan bands. As a soloist with the stage side bands of Cassablanca Steel Orchestra and Phase II Pan Groove, Michael performed at Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, The White House, and The United States Capital Building. As a student of all things steel pan, Michael also learned to craft and tune pans in Trinidad. He moved to the United States in 1987, and after a few years in New York City, Michael settled on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. There, he honed his talents as a vocalist, leading reggae/funk/calypso bands Ambakyala, Jamm Down, Shango Axe, and The Dunebilly Allstars. With these groups, he has shared the stage with legendary artists Burning Spear, Beres Hammond, Jimmy Cliff, and others. In addition, Michael performs as a steel drum soloist at weddings, corporate functions, and private events across throughout New England. He is an educator in partnership with Berklee College of Music at the City Music Program in Boston, as well as working with the Mattacheese Middle School Steel Pan Ensemble. Michael travels home to Trinidad each winter for Panorama, where he plays lead with seven time champion Phase II Pan Groove. In 2016, he was also the composer and arranger for Casablanca Steel Orchestra. CLICK HERE TO SEE MICHAEL AT WORK
WHO ARE OUR PANNISTS ALAN POTEON www.the-panman.de Allan Poteon was born in Trinidad and Tobago has been living in Germany since 1996. He has been playing drums and the steelpan since he was five years old. When he was twelve years old he played with a group called SilvertonesChris. He has played with groups like Antillean All Stars, Hatters, Kalomo Kings, Solo Harmonites, Phase 2 Pan Groove, The Late Ras Shorty I and the Home Circle, Soca band Taxi, Nantambu Freedom Drummers and many other folklore and cultural groups in Trinidad and Tobago. CLICK HERE TO SEE ALAN AT WORK
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