Two decades after he first carved out a name for himself on the Panorama stage, legendary steelpan arranger Duvonne Stewart has come full circle, returning to the band that believed in him at the start of his career—Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille.
The celebrated arranger was officially welcomed back during a signing ceremony at Unicomer’s head office in Freeport last Monday. Representatives of Courts, Unicomer, and the band were present as Stewart put pen to paper, sealing his role as musical director for the 2026 Panorama season.
For Courts Sound Specialists, the appointment is a homecoming. Back in the early 2000s, the Laventille-based orchestra was the first steelband to invest in Stewart’s talents before his career took flight. Now, 24 years later, Stewart will lead the band once again—this time with decades of experience, international acclaim, and a legacy of Panorama triumphs behind him.
Speaking with a mixture of nostalgia and excitement, Stewart recalled how pivotal that first opportunity was.
“Back in the day when I was looking for a band to be affiliated with, bands never really took the opportunity to invest in new arrangers. Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille was the first band that gave me the opportunity to be a part of an organisation,” he said.
His return, he added, is about more than competition, “I’m in this to create a marriage between myself and the community at large—to inspire upcoming generations and individuals in the band who want to perceive themselves as being future musical directors. It’s not about me, it’s about me contributing to the band’s musical evolution.”
The excitement is already building around the band’s 2026 Panorama performance, where Stewart will arrange Penguin’s classic “Woman Doh Like Soft Man.” With a proven track record—including six consecutive wins in the Medium Band category earlier in his career—Stewart’s return to the medium band arena is being met with anticipation throughout the steelband fraternity.
Courts Sound Specialists has consistently maintained a strong presence in the competition, advancing to Panorama finals and thrilling audiences at national events such as Pan Trinbago’s Pan & Powder Parade and Pan on D’ Avenue. Stewart’s return, many believe, could be the missing piece to push the orchestra even further.
For Courts and parent company Unicomer, the collaboration is also a reaffirmation of their decades-long investment in steelpan and community development.
“We’re very proud to welcome Mr Stewart back into the Sound Specialists family,” said Cindy James, Corporate Communications and Public Relations manager for Unicomer Trinidad Ltd.
“We believe his energy, passion and expertise will auger well for the band in the 2026 Panorama competition. As a company committed to sustainable community development, we hope his leadership will inspire the players to strive for excellence and open their eyes to the possibilities of a career in pan.”
Courts’ sponsorship of Sound Specialists of Laventille stretches back more than 30 years, providing sustainable programmes that give young people opportunities to develop discipline, musicianship, and cultural pride.
For both Stewart and the Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille, this reunion is about more than competition results. It is a chance to write a new chapter in the orchestra’s history, one rooted in tradition but alive with innovation.
With Stewart’s artistry and Courts’ unwavering support, the Laventille steel orchestra is poised to make its mark on the 2026 Panorama stage—and, perhaps, inspire the next generation of arrangers waiting in the wings.