Trinidad steelbands 101

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Trinidad is the birthplace of the oil drum-turned-musical instrument known as the steelpan (aka the steel drum) — the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century — and no other population lives and breathes “pan” quite the way this country does. At no time is this truer than during the Carnival season, which nurtures steelband the way the NBA nurtures basketball, producing a steady supply of players, a steady supply of high-quality instruments, and an informed and interested audience.

Panorama, the national steelband competition, is one of the Carnival season’s major highlights, and until you’ve heard a steel orchestra on the Panorama stage you haven’t heard half the story of what steelpan is all about. The 100-person orchestras (steelbands) start practising their arrangements of the season’s calypsos right after Christmas. Most bands are communitybased, and their practice arenas, known as panyards, are often important meeting places and great places to visit — no Carnival itinerary, in fact, is complete without a panyard tour or two. In addition to the conventional orchestras there are also small, traditional groups knows as “pan round the neck” sides.

The various legs of the Panorama competition take place at venues throughout the country, with the semi-finals and final happening at the “big yard” of the Queen’s Park Savannah. The Panorama shows are a great place to hear music, of course, but also — in true Trini style — an occasion to party and lime. The finals are also televised.

Steelbands are also a traditional part of the street proceedings on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, especially during J’Ouvert. Many orchestras also have accompanying mas’ bands which often play traditional themes like sailors and wild Indians.

Outside of the Carnival season, steel orchestras are kept busy practising for the events like Pan in the 21st Century, Pan Jazz in de Yard, The World Steelband Music Festival and Pan Ramajay. But the true cradle of the steelband is Carnival: the opening bars of a Panorama arrangement are often startling in their volume and intensity, and the sound of an 100-piece steel orchestra on the Panorama stage has no equal in the musical universe.

Below are the names and addresses of some of the better known and popular steelbands:

• Tunapuna All Stars, Railway Road, Pasea Village, Tunapuna
• Arima Angel Harps, Corner Eastern Main Road & Olton Road, Arima
• Exodus, St Johns Village, Eastern Main Road, St Augustine
• Trinidad All Stars, 46 Duke Street, Port of Spain
• Desperadoes, Upper Lavantille Road, East Dry River, Port of Spain
• Invaders, Tragarete Road, Port of Spain
• Phase II Pan Groove, 13 Hamilton Street, Woodbrook
• Power Stars, 114 Western Main Road, St James
• Renegades, 138 Charlotte Street, Port of Spain
• Hatters, Lady Hales Avenue, San Fernando
• Starlift, 187C Tragarete Road, Port of Spain
• Power Stars, 114 Western Main Road, St James
• Fonclaire, Dottin Street, San Fernando
• Skiffle Bunch, Coffee Street, San Fernando