Steel Pan Jazz: A Musical Twist

The steel pan (also known as a steel drum) is a musical instrument that originated in Trinidad and Tobago. It is made from 55-gallon industrial drums and is played using a pair of straight sticks tipped with rubber. Steel pans are now a feature of jazz festivals and concerts, with jazz pannists such as Andy Narell, Victor Provost, Rudy Smith, and Jonathan Scales performing regularly all over the world. Most steel pan jazz combos comprise traditional jazz instruments and a frontline steel pan, though some festivals feature almost all steel pan instruments.

Jazz steel pan history

The steel pan, also known as the steel drum, emerged in the 1930s. It is possibly the only instrument made out of industrial waste, such as car parts, paint pots, dustbins, oil drums, and biscuit tins. The steel pan is a chromatically pitched percussion instrument made from 55-gallon industrial drums. It is played using a pair of straight sticks tipped with rubber. The steel pan is the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago and has become an icon of Trinidadian culture.

The history of the steel pan can be traced back to the early 20th century when Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival percussion groups, known as tamboo bamboo, used bamboo sticks cut for striking together and hammering against the ground. Over time, metal objects were incorporated into these percussion groups, and eventually, the first all-steel band, Alexander's Ragtime Band, emerged in 1939.

In 1947, the 55-gallon oil drum was used to make steel pans. The Trinidad All-Steel Pan Percussion Orchestra (TASPO), formed to attend the Festival of Britain in 1951, was the first steel band whose instruments were all made from oil drums. They performed on July 26, introducing the steel pan and a new music genre to the world.

The introduction of the steel pan in jazz began in 1965 in Spain with The Modern Sound Quartet: Rudy Smith on alto pans, Danny Grant on double second, Ansel Joseph on six bass, and George Allyn on drums. They formed the first all-steel pan jazz group. The group had previously played in the Merry Makers Steel Band from Sackville Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad, and toured Europe in 1962. After the tour, the four band members formed their own band, The Modern Sound Quartet, and began playing jazz in Torremolinos, Spain, in 1964-1965.

Today, steel pans are now a feature of jazz festivals and concerts, with jazz pannists such as Andy Narrell and Rudy Smith performing regularly all over the world. There are also festivals dedicated specifically to steel pan jazz, such as the Trinidad and Tobago SteelPan and Jazz Festival and the Pan Ramajay festival in Trinidad and Tobago.

Jazz steel pan festivals

The steel pan (also known as a pan or steel drum) is a musical instrument that originated in Trinidad and Tobago. It is now a feature of jazz festivals and concerts worldwide.

The Trinidad and Tobago SteelPan and Jazz Festival (formerly Pan Royale) is hosted by the Queen's Royal College Foundation of Trinidad and usually takes place in October. The festival combines steel pan workshops with live performances of mainstream, avant-garde, and fusion jazz. It features steel pan ensembles, traditional jazz combos, and vocalists from across the world.

Another festival is Pan Ramajay, an annual event introduced in 1989 by the Exodus Steel Orchestra, a Trinidadian steel band. The festival usually takes place in May and includes a variety of musical genres, from classical to jazz, all with a focus on improvisation.

Steel pan jazz combos typically include traditional jazz instruments alongside a frontline steel pan. However, some festivals feature ensembles that are composed almost entirely of steel pans.

In addition to these dedicated steel pan festivals, steel pan music is also featured at other jazz festivals and events worldwide. For example, the Steel City Smooth Jazz Festival in Birmingham, Alabama, celebrates various music genres with an emphasis on smooth jazz and R&B. The Atlanta Steel Pan & Island Music group in Atlanta, Georgia, also brings the Caribbean sound of the steel pan to local events and festivals.

Jazz pannists

The first all steel pan jazz group was The Modern Sound Quartet, formed in 1965 in Spain by Rudy Smith, Danny Grant, Ansel Joseph, and George Allyn. Rudy Smith and Andy Narrell are jazz pannists who perform regularly all over the world.

Jazz steel pan combos

The Modern Sound Quartet went on to perform in Sweden, Gibraltar, and Torremolinos, with various guest musicians joining them. In 1968, Rudy Smith made his first TV appearance. The group continued to perform with different members until 1980, when they became known as the Modern Sound Corporation.

Other notable steel pan jazz performers include Andy Narell, Victor Provost, Jonathan Scales, Leon Foster Thomas, and Rudy Smith, who continue to perform and record albums that showcase the steel pan in jazz.

Jazz steel pan albums

"The Serpent's Mouth" by Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band

This album, led by German pannist and musician Bjorn Wagner, offers a compelling tropical retro vibe modelled after 1970s funk recordings. It seamlessly blends multiple genres and instruments, infusing Caribbean percussion and rustic pans with a funk rhythm section. Notable tracks include a cover of the Miami Vice soundtrack "Crockett's Theme", the reggae groove "Real Hot", and the Trinidadian-inspired "Maracas Bay Boogie".

Bright Eyes by Victor Provost

Victor Provost, a bebop jazz pannist, adds his soulful style to classic jazz sensibilities in his second album, "Bright Eyes". The opening track, "Eastern Standard Time", sets a hectic and exciting tone, and the album features guest artists such as Paquito D'Rivera (alto saxophone) and Ron Blake (soprano sax). Provost's provocative mix of masterful musicianship, hypnotic speed, and heartfelt melodies captivates listeners.

Metamorphosis by Leon Foster Thomas

Leon Foster Thomas, a steel pannist, explores a full range of emotions and musical genres in his album "Metamorphosis". The opening track, "Kai-Fusion", is a bombardment of sound with a fast-paced and catchy melody, booty-shaking groove, and entrancing pan and sax solos. Thomas showcases his extraordinary speed and dexterity throughout the album, juxtaposing energetic pieces with more mellow grooves like "Midnight Refrain", "Gulf of Paria", and "In the Corner".

Pan Rocks Project L.A. and Pan Rocks Rush! by Tracy Thornton

Tracy Thornton's "Pan Rocks Project L.A." and "Pan Rocks Rush!" are two EPs that incorporate famous rock musicians into a large steelband ensemble. "Pan Rocks L.A." features 30 international pan players and includes collaborations with renowned rock legends. "Pan Rocks Rush!" is led by drummer Mike Portnoy and includes guitarist Pete Thorn and bassist Philip Bynoe. These albums showcase the versatility of the steel pan in the rock genre.

Liberation Music by Andre White

Andre White, a popular artist in the world of steel pan, showcases his Brooklyn, NY roots in his debut album, "Liberation Music". The album blends multiple genres, including soul, R&B, calypso, reggae, and Latin music. The opening track, "Why Can't We Be Free?", sets the tone with a vocalist, full steel orchestra, and complex chord structures. Other notable tracks include "Liberation", "Algo Diferente", "Hideaway", and the calypso rock dance track "Pressure".

Just Ahead by Patrick Fitzgibbon

Patrick Fitzgibbon, known for his world percussion and education initiatives, presents his second album, "Just Ahead". The opening track is a mellow jazz groove, but the album surprises with an eclectic mix of songs, including Latin jazz-inspired "Every Way But Forward", the motown-esque "Look Up", and the introspective "Blanchisseuse". "Just Ahead" showcases Fitzgibbon's melodic style and whimsical yet dignified approach to the art form.

Pan Roots Culture by Kareem Thompson

Kareem Thompson, a Brooklyn-based pan virtuoso, presents his diverse musical influences in his debut album, "Pan Roots Culture". The album features an ensemble of guitar, upright bass, piano, and drums, creating a textured soundscape of jazz, Afro-Caribbean, Calypso, soul, and other world genres. Notable tracks include the title track, "Spot's Groove", "Caribbean Connection", and the swung soul groove "The Sun Will Shine Today".

Pillar by Jonathan Scales Fourchestra

"Pillar" by Jonathan Scales Fourchestra takes listeners on an epic journey of introspection and confusion. The album sets a unique tone with tracks like "Fake Buddha's Inner Child" and "We Came Through the Storm", which evokes the feeling of being in the middle of a powerful storm. The album features collaborations with renowned artists such as Jeff Coffin, Oteil Burbridge, and banjo master Bela Fleck.

New Life by Shawn Thwaites Rebel Quartet

"New Life" by Shawn Thwaites Rebel Quartet is an emotional and detailed album that takes listeners on a wild ride. It includes hard-hitting pieces like the Caribbean soul of "Black Fist" and the swanky, swung groove of "Westcoastin'". "Hood Suite" blends Calypso history with a jazzy soul vibe, while "Rt. 50" is a tone poem that lifts and drops listeners with its chord-based riff. Thwaites' soulful and nuanced playing carries listeners through each song with effortless abandon.

Sirocco by Jeff Narell

"Sirocco" by Jeff Narell masterfully blends African and Caribbean rhythms, melodies, and instrumentation. The album opens with the inviting vocal melody of "Babam" and continues with the thumpy, explorative groove of "Sirocco". "Rise Up" is an inspiring and hopeful track that lifts the spirit, even without lyrics. "Sirocco" is an extraordinary work that showcases the artist's clear vision and exceptional storytelling through music.

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