A Sense of History - Perseverance and Determination

I recently wrote up a history of steel pan for the website and an upcoming event. Not the easiest task to say the least, but still very interesting. Aside from the basic facts of people and times, there is more to the steel pan story. The common theme you read about is of perseverance. It is the willingness to do whatever it takes to overcome and get something done. It is also the desire to not settle for what was done in the past, but the willingness to try something new. When it comes to steel pan, the people involved in the community were and are some of the most determined around.

Steel pan history is rich with stories of oppressive laws, rival gangs, tamboo bamboo and iron bands. But the richest history starts when a few young men take the initiative. They decide to find a way to get more than one note out of discarded metal containers. Names like Andrew "Pan" De La Bastide, Victor "Totee" Wilson, Winston "Spree" Simon, Ellie Mannette are part of that early group of pioneers. They persevered when others said those containers were not musical instruments. Their persistence and determination led to two notes, then four, and soon the full musical scale. Their innovations led to the first steel pan orchestras and eventually the recognition of the steel pan player as a true musician.

Determination is part of steel pan short history and legacy. Those in the community tend to reflect it as well. You see people learn a complicated piece of music by rote, he though they never had a formal music lesson. You see individuals starting up programs where steel pans are more of an oddity than a way of life. You hear about composers willing to break the boundaries of traditional steel pan music because they too are driven. What is it about this instrument that makes people push themselves? Is there a spirit (a Pan Jumbie) inherent in all that surrounds the steel pan? Is it that we see ourselves as being as tough and solid as the instruments we play on? Who really knows?

We recently interviewed Tom Miller and SPC members George and Ruth Parsons for an upcoming Pan e-Newsletter. Both interviews reflect each person's willingness to either find a way or make one. The Parsons spent 15 years in Trinidad. They played in several steel pan orchestras in spite of a lack of musical training. Miller is a world renowned musician, Pan Ramajay Productions founder, and steel pan instructor at the University of Denver. He runs an annual steel pan camp attended by players from around the world. All have taken their passion for steel pan, mixed it with perseverance and determination, and came up with rewarding experiences for themselves and others.

So whatever it is that drives us as a community, it is based in determination and perseverance.


Skip Waugh
President
Steel Pan Collective