Twenty-four years after he first entered the steelpan arranging scene, legendary pan arranger Duvonne Stewart has returned to the Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille Steel Orchestra.
Credited as the first steelband to have invested in the award-winning musical arranger before his career skyrocketed, Sound Specialists has appointed the musical maestro to lead the orchestra for their 2026 Panorama offering. The official contract signing took place on Monday at Unicomer’s Head Office in Freeport, with representatives of Unicomer, Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille and Duvonne Stewart present. This partnership marks yet another milestone in the longstanding partnership between Courts and the celebrated Sound Specialists of Laventille Steel Orchestra affirming the brand’s unwavering commitment to the preservation and growth of steelpan and culture in Trinidad and Tobago.
Over the years, Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille has consistently excelled, advancing to the National Panorama Medium Band Finals, while also enriching the cultural fabric of the nation with regular performances at both company events and national celebrations. Most recently, the band thrilled audiences during Pan Trinbago’s Pan & Powder Parade and the Pan on D’ Avenue Parade in observance of Pan History Month. The appointment of Mr. Stewart creates much anticipation about the band’s 2026 Panorama contribution given the arranger’s distinguished reputation within the steelband fraternity and his return to the Medium Band category. Previously, Mr. Stewart dominated the category for six consecutive years. In 2026, Sound Specialist’s selection will be Penguin’s “Woman doh like soft man”.
Corporate Communications & Public Relations Manager for Unicomer Trinidad Ltd., Ms. Cindy James, expressed her excitement about Duvonne’s addition to the band. She said, “we’re very proud to welcome Mr. Stewart back into the Sound Specialists family. We believe his energy, passion and expertise will auger well for the band in the 2026 Panorama competition.” She also expressed hopefulness about the positive impact of Duvonne’s presence in the organization, “as a company committed to sustainable community development, we hope his leadership and presence will offer the players a strong example of excellence to aspire toward and provide exposure on the possibilities that exist with a career in pan.”
Mr. Stewart articulated his intention to build on his relationship with the band through a legacy that started 20 plus years ago. He expressed great nostalgia and excitement about the partnership stating, “back in the day when I was looking for a band to be affiliated with, bands never really took the opportunity to invest in new arrangers. Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille was the first band that gave me the opportunity to be a part of an organization.” He continued, “I’m in this to create a marriage between myself and the community at large – to inspire upcoming generations and individuals in the band who want to perceive themselves as being future musical directors. It’s not about me, it’s about me contributing to the band’s musical evolution.”