it’s absolutely pan-tastic mcu · pdf filelegendary jazz great max roach,...

PL

AT

E-S

IGZ

ON

E:C

N-K

SI-Q

LI,4S

TA

R,48-48-48,C

-C-C

,SP

EC

IAL

CS

-SP

EC

IAL

CS

-SP

EC

IAL

CS

,4,5:C

YA

NM

AG

EN

TA

YE

LL

OW

BL

AC

KP

late Label: C

N-K

SI-Q

LI,4S

TA

R,48-48-48,4,5 - W

ed S

ep 2 22.28.20 E

DT

2009

Section

-Low

: SP

EC

IAL

CS

-4

BY TREVOR JOHNSPECIAL TO THE NEWS

IF CELEBRATED COMPOSERSsuch as Bach and Beethovenwere alive today and in NewYork, it would be hard to imaginethat they would not be arrangersand composers participating inNew York Panorama.

This coming Saturday, the mas-sive steel orchestras — with hun-dreds of instruments and up-wards of 100 players each — willliterally roll onto the BrooklynMuseum grounds to participatein the annual New York steel-band music Panorama contest. Intow, ensnared in a musical bond,will be thousands of fans, enthusi-asts and supportersfrom the world over.

The event is heldannually in New Yorkas part of the five-dayWest Indian Carnivaland Parade, and willtake place this yearon Sept. 5 starting at8 p.m. Panorama re-mains the biggestdraw of the eventssponsored by the West IndianAmerican Day Carnival Associa-tion during pre-Labor day festivi-ties.

What is Panorama? At its mostbasic definition, it’s simply a dis-tinguished steelband music com-petition, and much more than asingular occurrence. It is an expe-rience — one inextricably inter-woven with the human spirit’s es-sence to define oneself, survive,conquer its environment, show-case genius, progress and vali-date its humanity while aspiringto communal greatness.

Panorama is the most signifi-cant New York performing artsmedium in the last 50 years, barnone.

On paper, this 10-minute musi-cal performance of the compet-ing bands calls for the executionof a series of dexterous, imagina-tive innovations demonstratingtop musicianship.

In reality, it is a creative exhibi-tion that must connect with some

of the most demanding critics,while simultaneously housingand propelling a community’sdreams and commitment.

Ten minutes of distinction,fame, attention. Ten minutes an-nually — to sum up the sacrific-es, work and efforts of a season,community and each individualinvolved.

It’s truly an exhilarating expe-rience for competitors and spec-tators alike, and few events canmatch Panorama’s intensity, pag-eantry and creativity.

It is magnificently elegant,Olympic-styled in competitive-ness, drama, tension — with thefervent loyalty of a Super Bowl-styled fan base where the eupho-

ria of performing liveis supreme.

It’s the thrill of vic-tory, the agony of de-feat and more.

One might expectto simply get a Carib-bean experience fromthe event, but a fur-ther look reveals adeeper introspective.New York Panorama

can be more accurately character-ized as another facet of Ameri-ca’s performing arts and psyche,richly reflective of the nation’simmigrant history, but primarilyexpressive of the impact of Carib-bean culture.

There are panorama competi-tions all over the globe, but NewYork’s is unique, with decades ofintrigue, history and tradition.Legendary jazz great MaxRoach, well-acquainted with thesteel orchestra after experienc-ing Panorama live, said that thesteelpan instrument belonged ona “world stage.”

In New York’s Panorama, par-ticipants, fans and organizationshave put themselves on a path toaccomplish just that by creatingan esteemed position for theunique Caribbean art form in thecity.

The Panorama musical phe-nomenon has done much popu-larize the steel orchestra in the

U.S., particularly among theyouth. Given the contentious dis-connect and often hostile environ-ment that is New York for steel-bands, it is astonishing the cul-ture has survived, maintaining,and even increasing, its distinc-tion.

Darius Gamory, 15, is a mem-ber of the Pantonic Steel Orches-tra, playing for three years.

“Nothing compares to pan. Ifeel great!” declared Darius, whothis year is heading for his thirdPanorama competition.

Many Panorama players have

developed into career musicians;several New York Panoramayoungsters are pursing music col-lege degrees.

Then-18-year-old musician ex-traordinaire André White, wholead ADLIB Steel Orchestra to itsfirst Panorama victory in 2008(the youngest to ever achievesuch a feat), is now a full-timestudent at the prestigious Berk-lee College of Music.

New York’s steelband panora-ma is truly an American experi-ence with authentic Trinidad-Car-ibbean origins; it is high culture.

Ultimately, New York Panora-ma is a love affair between partic-ipants and fans bordering on“madness” when one considersthe mind-boggling outlay infinances, energy and emotion.

It is a positive obsession thatcontinues to elevate New York’sartistic and cultural platform.

Trevor John is the editor of thewww.PanOnTheNet.com Website.

It’s absolutely pan-tasticSteelpan & many young pan playerstake center stage at N.Y. Panorama

Red devil reveler at the 2008 early morn-ing J’Ouvert event, which winds throughBrooklyn. Photo by Hayden Roger Celestin

CARNIVAL2009

BY JARED MCCALLISTERDAILY NEWS CARIBBEAT COLUMNIST

J’OUVERT IN Brooklyn is always a specialevent, but this is an extraordinary year.

The early-morning procession of mas-queraders and steelbands, that precedesthe West Indian Carnival Festival Parade, iscelebrating its 25th anniversary this year.And for the first time, the event will havegrand marshals.

Sponsored by J’Ouvert City Internation-al organization, the event will be held onSept. 7, starting about 4 a.m. It will begin atFlatbush Ave. and Empire Blvd., move eastalong Empire Blvd. to Nostrand Ave., thenthen travel south on Nostrand to end at Rut-land Road.

Revelers from across the country andtourists from around the world religiouslyflock to Brooklyn each year to witness andtake part in J’Ouvert. As the early morningsun heralds Labor Day, thousands of spec-tators and the event judges will witness themagic and ingenuity of the costumes —some which lampoon political figures andcelebrities — and the skill of the steelbandperformers. No blaring amplified music al-lowed, just steel drums and percussion in-struments.

J’Ouvert City International runs theevent, which is not officially affiliated withWest Indian Carnivl Festival Parade onEastern Parkway.

The grand marshals for 2009 are RogerToussaint, president of Transport Workers

Union Local 100; Sidique Wai, administra-tive community relations specialist withthe NYPD; Angela Cooper, director of com-munity affairs at the Susan Smith McKin-ney Nursing and Rehabilitation Center inBrooklyn; State Sen. Eric Adams (D-Brook-lyn); City Councilman Kendall Stewart (D-Brooklyn); City Councilman Mathieu Eu-gene (D-Brooklyn); State Sen. Kevin Park-er (D-Brooklyn); Karl Cohen of the 71stPrecinct Community Council; radio person-ality Bob Frederick; the Rev. Terry Lee ofthe Byways & Hedges Youth Outreach Min-istry, and Brother Austin Tuitt of GlobalCaribbean Representation.

For information, call (646) 244-0567 or(347) 601-0859 or send e-mail to jouvertci-tyintnl@yahoo.com.

J’Ouvert — early morning masquerade

Members of smartly-dressed, musically proficient ADLIB Steel Orchestra groove at the last year’s New YorkPanorama behind the Brooklyn Museum. Teen panist Darius Gamory (below) performs with Pantonic SteelOrchestra at the popular West Indian Carnival Festival event. Photos by Cyprean Phillips

Thur

sday

,S

epte

mbe

r3,2009

DA

ILY

NEW

Sny

daily

new

s.co

m

ISP

EC

IALC

S4

Finally, our new home! ‘09

MCU CelebratesThe West Indian-American

Day Carnival!

Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency. Rates and terms subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions apply. Membership is required.

Not an MCU Member yet? Join today and enjoy the many benefits of credit union membership. Visit one of our branches,

call 1-866-JOIN MCU or visit nymcu.org

Pride is what makes a community grow and prosper, and we are proud to be a part of thetremendous growth and diversity of the West Indian-American community. Join the celebration!

Look for the MCU booth at the 2009 West Indian-American Day Parade on Monday, September 7, beginning at 11:00 a.m., along Eastern Parkway (between Utica and Schenectady).

5SP

EC

IALC

S

nydailynews.com

DA

ILYN

EW

SThursday,

Septem

ber3,2009