The recently-held Pan Relay, which featured more than 30 steelbands, was a success and the organisers must be congratulated. I truly hope that the event, which I understand will be annual, grows from strength to strength and achieves its objective-to pull youth away from a life of crime, and offer them the steelpan as an alternative. I daresay, the pan relay was held to signal a return of the famous Witco Desperadoes to the Hill. The band had been forced to temporarily relocate to NIPDEC car park at Queen's Park East for the last two Carnivals because of crime. Now if you know The Buzz, I like to be positive, but at the same time realistic. I predict that the organisers will face an uphill task to combat the crime mindset of some youths. But it's worth a try.
Really they will have to compete with Marvado, Vybz Kartel, and Bounty Killer in a race for the young minds. I haven't even mentioned violent video games. The youths' love for reggae has also led them to Nas, Junior Gong Marley and Jah Cure.Pan for some youths is a part-time thing. It's for jumping and wining at Carnival time. While I applaud the work of the Pan In Schools Council, I think its time we teach, starting at primary school level, an appreciation of our cultural heroes in pan, mas, calypso, chutney etc. We continue to sleep while the world embraces pan for all types of purposes. That reminds me of my "pan grannies" of Brooklyn, USA, at the Blenman Senior Centre. I hope it's not to early to wish you gals Merry Christmas.
Pure sweetness
Pan songs for 2011 continue to intrigue me. It's becoming difficult to choose a favourite song. Purcelle "knock" Boyce of Two Sticks In Meh Hand (2010) fame, is back with Name On Cloth. The Brian "Bean" Griffith/Eunice Peters combination has unleashed How We Coming, and Kurt Allen sings the Earl Brooks composed Pan Badjohn.
Andrew "Yellows" Ferreira is in the fray with Trin Explosion, as well as Nicole Greaves, who intends to Show Off in 2011. D'Panman of Antigua is really rocking with Pan Is My Drug, a musical treat composed by Len "Boogsie" Sharpe with lyrics by Alvin Daniell. Word in town is that Len "Boogsie" Sharpe will launch a broadside in song against Pan Trinbago's President, Keith "Bald Head" Diaz. My spies tell me "Boogsie" is in a fighting mood...sharing licks.
Pan events continue to hold the spotlight
n Champion band in the land PCS Silver Stars Parang and Steel resumes on Saturday at the band's panyard at 56 Tragarete Road, Newtown, Port-of-Spain. Enjoy the music of La Divina Pastora, Denyse Plummer, Black Stalin, DJ Remix and We Ting. Admission is $75.
• The Ministry of National Security's Concert of Hope goes to the Arima Angel Harps Panyard at Olton Road, Arima and in Tobago. In the house will be the Fire Services band, the Defence Force Steel Orchestra, and host Angel Harps. Over in Tobago at the Redemption Soundsetters Panyard, Bethel, Tobago, there will be lots of entertainment. Action starts at 6pm-9pm at both venues.
• Pan Buzz Awards: December is the month of review and reflection, although it's a time for good Christmas vibes.
So be on the lookout for the Pan Buzz Awards, review of Pan's Progress in 2010, and a resumption of the greatest ever series-arrangers and pan tuners.
Remembering 'Nappy' and 'Brados'
December 12 will mark the 17th anniversary of the death of musical stalwart Richard "Nappy" Mayers. the master composer/musician and performer blazed a trail in music in the early 70s, until felled by a heart attack at age 42. The Buzz also remembers the genius of Clive "Brados" Bradley, who passed on some five years ago on November 26, 2005. He was 69-years-old. Get well wish goes out to Eddie "Guna" Yearwood, who has been under the weather lately. Eddie, also called Swanky, Pops, hosts the Magic of Pan on 91.9 FM on Sundays from 6 pm-9 pm. His sidekick Michael "Mike" Marcano is holding the forte.
Until next week, keep loving up the pan.