Duke Street in Port of Spain came alive on Monday afternoon as steelbands delivered lively performances to commemorate World Steelpan Day.
Recognising steelpan tuners as central to the progression and success of the instrument, Biko Lessey of the Jah Roots Steelband says it is crucial to mention their contribution while celebrating World Steelpan Day.
“In my opinion, the tuners still don’t get enough recognition. The arrangers get a lot of recognition for when they win Panoramas and stuff, but the tuners who put in the work. Without them you cannot have the bands. We cannot have the instruments properly tuned, and they do this work day and day out, and some of them still remain struggling at the side trying to make pans for a living. And again, when they try to make these pans for a living, everyone comes to them and hopes to get them extremely cheap when it’s a lot of work to build it.”
The Jah Roots Steelband, which keeps to traditional practices, was unique among the bands across Duke Street. The band members hang their instruments around their necks, a practice they say allows patrons to engage with them easily.
The involvement of youth in the celebrations was evident within each band. Captain of Epic Koskeros Steelband, Akeem Sparks, says pan plays a crucial role in the life of young people.
“Me, as a person since the age of sixteen, I always tried to get the youth out of trouble, which I used to deal with football, basketball. Whatever it takes to get the youth off the streets, that was my concern.”
The future of the instrument, with the youth in charge, looks bright, according to the manager of Nostrand Symphony Steel Orchestra, James Jack.
“It could only get better because if you notice, it is young people, and once the young people are in control, my grandson is the arranger for the band right now and he is only 18 years, so I know to myself that the national instrument is in good hands once the youth, the young people, have the instrument in control.”
The celebrations on Duke Street saw a procession moving into Woodford Square, where bands gathered to commemorate the significance of the day.