World Steelpan Day celebrations are heating up in New York, and two of Trinbago’s most renowned steel bands, Panazz and Massy Trinidad All Stars, are joining forces to mark the occasion.
At the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center on Monday evening, audiences will experience Panazz: The Story, a moving documentary about the Trinidadian jazz steelpan group Panazz, followed by a vibrant concert featuring the Massy Trinidad All Stars.
Speaking with TTT News, co-leader and co-arranger of Panazz, Barry Bartholomew, said he couldn’t have imagined collaborating with any other band for this show.
“I knew a few months ago that if we are coming to New York, we should do this as big as possible. And why not do it on this particular day, the United Nations Steelpan Day? I just think it’s a dream come true. And for those who saw the movie, I mean, All Stars plays a big part in the movie. You know, I was a member of All Stars back in the day. My first year playing in All Stars was Curry Tabanca and then I became the section leader after that of the middle pan section. So I’m very, very, that’s a very special place in my heart in All Stars as well.”
Panazz have been on tour for the past year. Mr. Bartholomew said events like these help to put the country’s culture on the map.
“I just think for the movie, for example, Panazz: The Story, just having an engaged audience in a closed environment, where they’re totally engaged on not just Panazz, I mean, the movie is much more than Panazz right now. It’s actually showcasing Trinidad and Tobago and there’s lots of beautiful sceneries of Trinidad and Tobago, and the music is now in surround sound, and it sort of, it hugs you, the movie, you know, and it gets pretty emotional towards the end, and the reactions around the world have been phenomenal.”
He said they have received an overwhelming response of positive feedback thus far.
“This is so different, and yet it touches us all, you know. So the reactions afterwards, I mean, the crowds just don’t want to go home. They stay in the lobby, and it’s just chit-chatting, chit-chatting, and it’s a very happy atmosphere and they’re just telling their friends and families, ‘If it’s on again, just make sure and go and see it.’ So it’s a very enthusiastic crowd of all ages, which is great too, and races. It’s crossing all boundaries”
This concert will not be Massy Trinidad All Stars’ first performance in New York. In celebration of its 90th anniversary, the band took to Times Square for the very first time for the third instalment of Pan in Times Square.
Pannist from Trinidad Massy All Stars, Dane Gulston, said he felt a great sense of joy that the band finally made it to the event, as they have been trying to achieve this for years.
“I am one of the persons who been advocating for it to happen, with especially Trinidad All Stars and the Consulate. This year, the third year, it was successful in terms of getting the band here to show the world really and truly who’s the mecca, and no better steel orchestra than Trinidad All Stars.”