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All Stars radiates
All Stars helps community members
Published:
Monday, February 13, 2012
Carnival 2012
One of the many young pannists of Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars on bass. Photo: Kristian de Silva
Sandra L Blood and Peter Ray Blood
“Captivating people with a musical rainbow,” the multi-million dollar Duke Street steel orchestra, Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars, literally went on a musical rampage last Sunday and secured first place in the National Panorama semifinals. Oddly, though, following the historic win in 2011, the envy of Duke Street, speaks of experiencing one of their most stressed out years. For it is said: “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown,” and with a lofty $2 million first prize attained from the 2011 Panorama competition, everybody from near and far, many of whom they didn’t even know existed, came to knowing the Stars in one way or another.
Panorama glory is a rough ride
Trinidad All Stars manager Beresford “Berry” Hunte explained: “This may surprise you, but winning the 2011 Panorama title was like a two-edged sword. Folks found us and poured out their hearts and soul, outlining their respective needs before the band settled and worked out a plan of how to properly invest. “It seems as if winning turned losing, as the first place turned out to be a huge cost to the organisation. Suddenly, the band owed any and everyone, even some promoters, when we quoted our price to perform at an event. “All of a sudden, some promoters found we were charging too much to perform, while at the same time, having to play the balancing act automatically becoming Duke Street’s financier.” Hunte added that All Stars benefitted tangibly for its last three Panorama victories as neither government, private sector, or anyone else so much as hired the band to do an overseas tour. In fact, at least one steelband that wasn’t even in a Panorama final was given an overseas contract. All Stars did venture on one overseas tour last year, going to the Singapore Grand Prix, on the invitation of a Trinidad-born entrepreneur resident there and sharing the stage at a 14-day event with over 300 top international acts. Hunte added: “Play Yuh Self, the band’s C2K12 Panorama selection didn’t resonate too well at that time when the outstretched hands knocked on the door begging them to play themselves.”
A steelband with business savvy
All Stars has always been extremely careful when it comes to finance, credibility and accountability. From 1988, the band began proper auditing of their books to avoid the word that seems to have taken centre stage, plaguing our nation lately, corruption, while being cognitive that players/members are the first beneficiaries of the organisation’s revenue. Commiserating with Witco Desperados’ omission from the national final this year, Beresford said when a band is in the doldrums, it is a sign of its pedigree and substance to pick itself up and move on. He recalls the year his band was relegated to a Best of the Rest competition, having failed to qualify for the national final, was a turning point for All Stars. He said: “When the Stars seemed to have lost their stride some years ago, in the attempts to find our way up, we used every competition in the book to market ourselves and gain recognition.” The upside of this situation, one which would have sunk lesser steelbands, Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars still holds the winning title for the pan competition, Best of the Rest.
The heart of All Stars
Beresford said: “In making a difference in our community, among others, All Stars engaged some 18 socially displaced youth residents of the Credo House Foundation, from Upper Duke Street, in learning to play the instrument as a means of utilising their time wisely, and expanding their marketability. “Not only does All Stars use its panyard as a recreational and/or educational facility to help external community members, it also used the space as a means to help strengthen and counsel one of its prominent players, who was stricken by grief one year ago, when her husband was fatally shot.
Music...let’s dance
“With a surplus of 120 candidates still vying for playing rights with Trinidad All Stars for the Carnival Panorama final, only the best can be selected. “But in recognising such, no one will be left out, as musicians will get the opportunity to perform at their Carnival signature fund-raiser, Soca by the River, on February 12, and on Carnival days.” The world will witness an even bigger Fleets In presentation on Carnival Tuesday, while on Monday, it will be treated to Music…Let’s Dance. Having recognised that pan encourages one to learn, it is envisaged that Trinidad All Stars may have a plan up its sleeves to use pan as an artery to help those who many think they are incapable of learning, to learn. Off course, what do people do in preparation for Panorama? Learn! So, go “play yuh self”!