Stellar cast forpan jazz festival
Belmont Intermediate alumni David Michael Rudder returns to school on October 18 for a grand performance.
One of T&T's most revered artistes, Rudder will be one of the stellar acts on the cast to grace The Courtyard of Queen's Royal College, St Clair, for the 2014 edition of Pan Royale.
Rudder is billed to perform with his band, led by longstanding collaborator, guitarist Wayne Bruno. Rapid Response weaves pop, jazz, blues and soca strains into a propulsive fusion that enhances the incisive lyrical expressions and profound cultural allegories which have brought Rudder deserved comparisons to Marley, Fela and Springsteen.
Some of the brightest stars in the worlds of pan, soca, Latin jazz and world beat music will align at the staging of this T&T Steelpan and Jazz Festival's (TTSJF) concert presentation, scheduled to begin at 6 pm.
This year's concert lineup includes world-renowned trumpeter Charlie Sep�lveda, a professor in Latin jazz standards and Afro-Cuban music at Puerto Rico's Conservatory of Music. A two-time Latin Grammy nominee, Sep�lveda, who recently recorded his fourth album featuring his close friend, Latin jazz legend pianist Eddie Palmieri, will be backed by an all-star Trinidadian-Puerto Rican aggregation comprising Gadwin Vargas (congas); Gabriel Rodriguez (bass); Raul Maldonado (drums); Michael "Ming" Low Chew Tung (keyboards); and Natasha Joseph (pan).
Also featured is Trinidad's sitar master Mungal Patasar and his fusion band Pantar. A distinguished master artiste in residence at the University of T&T, Patasar is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who has earned numerous national honours for his contribution to T&T's culture.
Pantar delivers a courageous, compelling blend of traditional Indian music, jazz, calypso and reggae with steelpan accents.
Massy Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra celebrates its 79th anniversary this year. Recipient of the Hummingbird Medal (Gold) in 1982, All Stars is an eight-time National Panorama champion and is widely respected for its innovations in pan's development, including adapting classical music to pan and the creation of the bass pan (credited to their former captain Neville Jules).
The band's recordings of calypso hits Woman on De Bass and Curry Tabanca, both arranged by Leon "Smooth" Edwards, have brought many new listeners to steelband music.
At Carnival 2014, All Stars was judged Band of the Year (Large) for its presentation Four Generations of Sailors, only the second steelband to secure the title in the past 51 years. Expect All Stars' Pan Royale performance to embody its history, pioneering character and overall musical excellence.
Conversely, a rising star within the steelband world, the Supernovas Steel Orchestra was formed just four years ago in Surrey Village, Arouca. Led by Amrit Samaroo, son of the legendary steelpan arranger Dr Jit Samaroo, Supernovas' debut at Panorama 2012 brought it an impressive second-place finish in the Small Band category. The band secured that category's top spot at Panorama 2014.
Supernovas' varied repertoire includes Latin, jazz, Indian, classical and calypso, each selection played with precision and youthful inspiration. It has performed to rave reviews at various events throughout Trinidad and is poised to win many new fans at Pan Royale 2014.
Pan Royale 2014 is a tribute to Ainsley Mark (1944-2014) TTSJF co-founder and the former chairman of the QRC Foundation, an alumni-led association that raises funds for the prestigious school.
It's a homecoming for this event as it was last held at Queen's Hall. Striking a harmonious balance between upcoming and veteran talents, homegrown and international acts, Pan Royale 2014 is certain to hit all the right notes.
Tongs on Fire chases rain away
It was one of the better organised fund-raisers I have attended and to think it was organised by a mere handful of people. The second annual Tongs on Fire BBQ competition was held at the Boys' Scouts Association, St Ann's, last Saturday.
The brain child of attorney Nicole Patrick and Independent Senator Elton Prescott, the benefits of the event are twofold–bringing friends and family together to promote good food, good meat and positive conversations, and supporting causes that may be overlooked in light of trendier endeavours.
This year the beneficiary of the event was the T&T Fire Service whose Fire Prevention Awareness Week began on Sunday.
This year the weather was not as threatening as that of one year ago at the first edition of this event, staged at the National Hockey Centre in Tacarigua. But, persistent rain, gusty winds at times and the promise of a mud bath did not keep the keenest of competitors away, nor the patrons.
Nine groups took part in the competition, judged by Duane Sylvester, Conrad Parris and Peter Ray Blood, co-ordinated by Nathalia Nasib-Cletus, where Team Hog Up the Place, led by brothers Brent and Stewart Sankar, won People's Choice. Hog Up the Place also won the Best Pork Ribs award.
Other teams on winners' row were Venture Credit Union (Best Tent); Sagicor (Best Team Spirit); and, Trini Jam (Best Fish). Second year participant Hyatt Regency, led by Jason Sealy, won the award for Best Chicken. Tony Vieira and Team Pork Cabal, also a winner last year, topped the Exotic category and, in a surprise move, donated their winnings back to the charity.
A big surprise to patrons, aside from actually seeing all the BBQ chefs and spirited helpers cook their meals, was the guest performance by Massy Trinidad All Stars and the Tunapuna Rhythm Sounds. All Stars was really entertaining, having patrons dancing the evening away as the Duke Street band played a concert-like, full length performance.
Kings of soca parang and pork in Arima
The Christmas star will soon return to the eastern sky, heralding the yuletide season and another edition of the massive annual Kings of Soca Parang and International Food Festival event presented by Randy Glasgow Productions (RGP). This will be RGP's final major event of 2014 and they are assembling an impressive production at the Arima Velodrome on December 6.
This year's run of the event is subtitled The Bacchanal and Pork Edition, keeping in mind that the General Elections are taking place in 2015 and also the continuing ban on hunting, which means no wild meat so the next big meat of the season, pork, will be offered in many fashions by the many specially invited food vendors and cooks.
Two musical kings of political controversy–Mighty Midget Cro Cro and Pink Panther–will ignite the fireworks with new parang songs exploring a vast array of political, social, economic and other issues including some personal misadventures of politicians and other public figures involved in the political arena. These performances will include a taste of calypsoes for Carnival 2015.
Other popular artistes who will serve as the peacekeepers and get the people dancing include the kings of soca parang Scrunter, Baron and Kenny J, as well as the clown prince of the genre The Incredible Myron B. Also performing are Ninja, Impulse, Ronoman, Marcia Miranda and other top acts among them traditional parang and more.
As for the food festival element of the event, RGP promises a truly lavish layout, offering 15 different pork dishes and when you purchase one pork dish, you get another one free.
Also there will be a wide selection of traditional local Christmas fare with international seasonal cuisine and also contemporary dishes and other local year-long favourites. There will be lots of bars serving up those Christmas favourites like real sorrel, ginger beer and ponch de cr�me as well as premium drinks.
Discounted early bird tickets go on sale from today. Anyone needing information pertaining to vending and tickets can contact RGP (628 9158); Facebook/RGPEVENTS;
Twitter; Instagram.