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September 9, 2006 - Volume 1, No. 3
Panorama in Brooklyn without
Master Clive Bradley
Brooklyn
Panorama 2006 came and the steelband field
was wide open as Master Clive Bradley was
absent through no fault of his own. He died
last year. But, he got his way because for
the first time in Brooklyn Panorama history
the rains poured all day and night for
Panorama. There were 12 steelbands competing
for Panorama supremacy at the back of the
Brooklyn Museum except it was
carnival Sunday and not carnival Saturday
night when Panorama is usually held. Yes,
panjumbies, it was rain and more rain all
Panorama day and night. The elements wept
for Master Clive Bradley.
The rain
started early Saturday morning as the day’s
first event, “Kiddies Carnival” was on its
way around ten o’clock in the
morning. By lunch time everyone knew that
the kiddies carnival had to be postponed due
to the rain. Soon, the word was out. The
kiddies carnival was cancelled and was held
on Sunday at 11 AM. But, as a lagniappe the
children were permitted to play their mas in
front of the mas bands on Eastern Parkway on
Labor Day. By 5PM Saturday, nothing was said
about the Panorama. Rumors were abound.
The rain
continued throughout the afternoon and
panjumbies were getting restless. For myself,
I was outside with my umbrella and rain coat
in case the Panorama was on. I took no
chances to have to return home to dress for
the rain. The Panorama was carded to begin
at 8 PM. Around 6 PM the
steelbands’ representatives were asking the
right question: “Will there be Panorama?”
And the rain kept falling. Around 6:30 PM
Mr. Cyrus Busby, PRO for USSA made a few
phone calls to WIADCA to cancel the
Panorama. He reported to me that WIADCA
wanted the steelbands to play in the rain
because no Panorama meant a loss of money.
According to Mr. Busby, WIADCA even offered
to put up a tent for the judges but nothing
for the steelbands. Mr. Busby protested and
WIADCA had to cancel the Panorama. Soon the
word was out that the Panorama was
rescheduled for Sunday at 4 PM till 10 PM to
be followed by the Dimarche Gras show.
On a sunny
Sunday afternoon the Panorama started around 4: 40 PM. The panjumbies were
all there waiting in anticipation to hear
sweet pan. The first steelband to perform
was ADLIB from Long Island. They played
“Tribute to Bradley” a Defosto’s
composition. They had over 60 panists. The
band experienced mike problems but played
on. Next came Dem Stars with 68 panists with
their tune of choice “This One for U
Bradley” composed by Len Boogsie Sharpe. The
band sounded good but had their share of
problems with the mike system which did them
a disservice. There was no sound check. But
the band continued with their rendition. The
band to follow was Pan Sonatas who played
“This one for U Bradley” They had 85 panists
and erupted the audience who gave loud
applauses. This was the band to beat.
Following was Crossfire who played Ray
Holman’s composition “If you really want”.
The tune was sweet but the smallness of the
band prevented a true rendition of a
beautiful arrangement by Brian “Bean”
Griffith. But, Sonatas was still the band to
beat. Sesame Flyers came next with ”Colors
Again’ sung by Destra. Pantonic played next.
This year Pantonic was without their usual
arranger Master Clive Bradley. This time,
the band went indoors and Keith Roberts,
captain did the arranging. He did a
marvelous job and delivered a beautiful
arrangement of “Tribute to Bradley”. I
strongly suggest that Brooklyn steelbands
use their talented panists to arrange
because it will develop local talent and
save them money which they surely don’t have
to spend on arrangers from abroad. But
that’s another article.
The next
steelband to follow was Despers USA whose arranger Eddie Quarless was
back in Brooklyn, having left for Trinidad
to arrange for Desperadoes for Panorama
2006. Despers USA attempted to solve the
mike problems by refusing to play with
mikes. But, that decision while noble made
them sound smaller that they were. The
solution is no mikes or a new person to mike
the Panorama. Some have already suggested
Basement Recordings who, in my view are the
best recorders of steelband music. Pan
Harmony, Youth Panoramics and Marsicans
followed. Those bands were very small so
they lacked competitiveness. A word about
Marsicans. This band suffered a serious
change in their leadership and the results
did no justice to their panship. CASYM
followed and it was all over. The band
demonstrated their ability to perform as
well as play. The audience was overjoyed
with their music. It was now between Sonatas
and CASYM for first prize. The last band to
play was last year’s second runner up
D’Radoes who played “Tribute to Bradley”
There was high expectations for this band
having had Master Clive Bradley last year as
their arranger. This year, their arranger
was Raf Robertson who is a popular musician.
Again, sound problems were the order of the
day. But, the band played well to gain
fourth place.
The final
Panorama results were:
1. CASYM
2. Sonatas
3. Pantonic
4. D’Radoes
5. Despers USA
6. Sesame Flyers
7. Harmony
8. Crossfire
9. Dem Stars
10. ADLIB
11. Caribbean Youth Panoramics
12. Marsicans
Now, here are
my few comments about Panorama 2006. It is
time for the steelbands to unite into a
Steelband Union so that their financial and
other interests are protected from WIADCA.
There is USSA but it needs more steelband
support to develop into a Steelband Union
strong enough to make any demands from
WIADCA. While I have no problems with WIADCA
as a Carnival organization I believe that
its main interest is not the steelband. The
steelband is an auxiliary happening to the
main carnival events. Therefore, it is the
steelbands that have to secure their own
interests by forming a Steelband Union.
Every year there are problems with the sound
system. The steelbands complain. But,
nothing is ever done. I have suggested that
Basement Recordings be put in charge of the
sound system for the Panorama. Their
recordings of the steelbands in their
panyards are the best that I have heard so
far. But, it is the steelbands that have to
make that demand. I would like to see more
transparency from WIADCA. How much is the
first, second and third prize money?
I was truly
disappointed with the treatment allotted to
the memory of Master Clive Bradley at the
Brooklyn Panorama 2006. But, I blame the
steelbands. They have to stop the tribalism
and begin to recognize their heroes,
heroines and pioneers by naming things and
events after them. Why can’t we have a
Master Clive Bradley challenge trophy for
arrangement? Or, a Master Neville Jules
challenge trophy for the bomb competition?
Or, the Emmanuel ‘Jack’ Riley challenge
trophy for best soloist? Some may question
the importance of names. But, the young
panists must know the pioneers in the
steelband movement and this is a way to do
it. The steelbands have to decide for
themselves if they want to remain a marginal
entity coming out for labor-day and then
disappearing until the next labor-day.
Lastly, it is
time that Brooklyn steelbands
use local arrangers either from the
community or from the band itself. This year,
Pantonic’s captain Keith Roberts arranged
and he did a beautiful arrangement. It is
not cost effective to spend so much money to
bring an arranger from Trinidad when you
have local arrangers waiting for a chance to
prove themselves. I wish all the steelbands
hearty congratulations for their efforts,
discipline, hard work and talents. Thanks
for starting on time and ending on time.
One word about
the jouvert. This year it lacked the usual
sweetness. Why can’t the steelbands play
their music without stopping every five or
ten minutes? We have eight hours from
2 am till 10 am and we misuse
the time standing instead of jamming music
for the people. It was boring. I saw many
empty pans with no panists. There were more
barricades in the jouvert this year. Is this
something that we have to expect now? One
note of interest. It was disappointing to
learn that Trinidad All Stars did not appear
on Eastern Parkway for labor day. Something
happened and the band did not show up. I
hope that the masqueraders will be refunded
their money for the costumes. Until next
year!
Stay Blogged |
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P.S. If readers don’t understand any of the
carnival or steelband terms used here, please go
to the
Port of Pan ABC at pan-jumbie-com.
Otherwise you may contact this writer. Thanks
for reading. |
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