Of more than 20 episodes of Pan in De Countryside staged nationwide, last Sunday's was the biggest. Held at the recreation grounds by Pan Trinbago in Blanchiseusse, hundreds filled the venue to be entertained by Scherzando, Sapophonics, Super Novas and Massy Trinidad All Stars. Absent was NLCB Fonclaire.Serving as the evening's emcee, Pan Trinbago secretary Richard Forteau opened proceedings just after 4 pm with a performance by Curepe Scherzando.
Seen amongst the crowd were past PSA president Jennifer Baptiste-Primus; Ministry of Community Development director Susan Corbett; Tuco president Lutalo Masimba (Brother Resistance); and, his Pan Trinbago equal Keith Diaz. Hundreds of pan lovers from the north and south converged on the venue, to be joined by several from the district and neighbouring communities.
Blanchisseuse folk also plied a brisk trade selling "Sunday lunch," handicraft and confectioneries, including homemade ice cream. It was the first time I've tasted tonka bean ice cream, made by Lonie Charles, mother of Rapso artiste Karega Mandela, and her family.
Arriving late at the venue was Sapophonics and the Carenage 'pan-'round-neck bank offered a well balanced repertoire.Next up was the pick of the evening, Super Novas from Surrey Village, Lopinot. Led by Jit Samaroo's son, Amrit, the band showed Pan Trinbago and patrons just how potent a steelband can be in any setting, once it selects an infectious repertoire.
The Super Novas set, opened with Portrait of Trinidad as a tribute to Jit. They then ventured into a medley of 80's pop salsa songs, including Baby I love your way, Nothing's gonna change my love and Lady in Red; Besame Mucho, composed in 1940 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Vel�zquez; The Slipper and Que Sera.
Super Novas then did Sparrow Medley, followed by Ed Sheeran current smash hit single Thinking out loud and Lou Rawls' Lady Love. It was at this point that the band displayed its versatility in song selection, digging into the retro book of calypso to pull out Organiser's Doh Tell ah Soul and Sparrow's Ah 'fraid Pussy Bite Mih.Farmer Nappy's My House and Ricardo Drue's Vagabond preceded Swallow's Don't stop this party. For its "outro" Super Novas played Kitchener's Carnival is Over.
The band's performance set tongues wagging in anxiety and early anticipation of next year's Panorama competition as in 2016 Super Novas will be jumping two steps to compete as a large conventional orchestra from being in the Small band category.
A past champion in this category, this year the band was unseated by Arima Golden Symphony by three points. With All Stars and Phase II Pan Groove already seen as favourites for next year's title, some folks were speaking about the showdown between arrangers Amrit Samaroo and Duvonne Stewart (Renegades), two young and talented arrangers in the large band race.
With nightfall now covering the recreation ground, up next was All Stars. With a legion of supporters in tow, most wearing the band's supporters' jerseys, the reigning National Panorama champion didn't disappoint with its normal well rehearsed set, enhanced with a couple new pieces, including Fay Ann Lyons Rave. The band's set also included its Unquestionable, it winning Panorama tune, Procul Harum's Whiter Shade of Pale, Magic's White You Gotta be so Rude, Do it fluid and the band's two signature Panorama classics Unknown Band and Woman on the Bass.
It was now 8 pm and, with patrons still enjoying the exhilarating pan music, Sapophonics was recalled for a lagnaippe set. Patrons took this opportunity to dance up a storm, many of them seemingly upset when Forteau announced the end of the show half an hour later.
Next stop for Pan in De Countryside is Guayaguayare on the date to be decided. However, described by pan enthusiasts as "the biggest steelband competition in history," the World Steelband Competition has now been scheduled for Sunday, August 9, at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.
On Sunday, Pan Trinbago trustee Allan "Pablo" Augustus, on confirming the venue, said: "A competition of this magnitude can only be staged in the Savannah, the Mecca of Panorama." Qualifiers for the competition are the top seven-placed large conventional orchestras in this year's National Panorama final, as well as the top for bands in the Medium category. Top steelbands from North America, Europe and across the Caribbean are expected to face off against the locals.
This month, something special has been happening at Fiesta Plaza, MovieTowne. It is the annual Women in Jazz series which features an outstanding female vocalist each weekend and is hosted by Plaza Events Manager Heathcliff West. Last Saturday, the month's third installment was held at the open air venue and not an empty seat could found. Former Digicel Rising Star winner Moricia Cagan was the night's star act and she gave an outstanding performance.
Having recently wowed an audience at Jazz on the Greens when she performed with Arturo Tappin, Cagan continued her winning ways, backed by a sextet of musicians and accompanying vocalists Kadija Jeremiah and Nigel O'Connor.
To open her set Cagan emerged from the rear of the Plaza singing I Will Survive, a la Gloria Gaynor and Celia Cruz. She followed this with covers of I'm so excited (Pointer Sisters) and Bob Marley's Could You be Loved. For Santana's Corazon Espinado, Cagan brought guitarist Michael Chang Wai to the forefront for a solo and he was superb
At this stage of her performance, Cagan seemed to be exponentially intensifying her performance on each successive item seemingly determined to established a crescendo with her singing. Wonderful with Randy Crawford's One day I'll fly away, she was mesmerising with Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud before being simply amazing with Aretha Franklyn's Natural Woman.
Spicing up Michael Bolton's You don't know what it's like with a calypso flavour, Cagan remained in the calypso genre to render GB's Calypso Rising and David Rudder's Calypso Music. Now with all patrons on their feet cheering, Cagan's rounded off her night's chore with Fay Ann Lyons' Raze.
Other members of Cagan's band were Jonathan Hensley (Drums); Kevon La Fluer (Bass); Ron Clarke (Keyboards); Kensa James (Trombone); and, Joseph Melville (Trumpet)Tomorrow, Saturday, night, Digicel Rising Stars 2011 winner Camille Comas will bring the curtain down on the 2015 Women in Jazz series from 8 pm.