SANDRA L BLOOD
mindup.slblood@gmail.com
Three years ago, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tobagonian pannist Nevin Roach came up with the idea for an online competition for steelpan soloists. The result was PanoGrama, a competition that attracted participants from around the world.
Roach said the idea came to him as he sat at his home during the lockdown, when the entertainment sector was shut down. He was aware that many pannists were affected by the restrictions because they could not do in-person shows or rehearse in the panyards and were unaware that a virtual platform was available to musicians.
After reaching out to a few pannists, Roach converted part of his home into an online production studio and PanoGrama premiered on April 24, 2020.
The inaugural event attracted thousands of online viewers and the event’s popularity increased in subsequent years.
The success of that online initiative has now earned Roach a Young, Gifted and Black (YGB) Entrepreneurial Award for Caribbean Artistic Development.
As he reflected on the honour, the young steelpan innovator explained, “At its core, PanoGrama is a testament to the power of simple, yet innovative ideas. The competition united the international steelpan community. It provided a platform to showcase exceptional talents.”
Roach said PanoGrama’s impact extended far beyond the entertainment sector and became a highly-anticipated event in T&T.
He secured international television deals and gained the potential to reach audiences of over one million. Through PanoGrama, he was also able to forge professional relationships with institutions such as the Caribbean School of Media and Communication, which offers internships to students.
There were also collaborations with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the government of the Bahamas on development projects.
Roach said he feels extremely humbled and truly honoured by his achievements.
“This instrument that I love embodies the shared history of the Caribbean and holds the potential to address pressing societal issues, particularly among the youth. I will continue to make a positive contribution. Thanks to the awards’ organisers, PanoGrama team members, and everyone on this journey. Special thanks to Trinidad and Tobago for all the love.”
Since its inception, PanoGrama has showcased extraordinary steelpan talent from T&T, the Caribbean, and around the world. T&T’s Earl Brooks Jr won the inaugural event, while Keishaun Julien claimed the title in the second year.
Other notable local participants in the competition included Shaquille “Flogo” Forbes, Tyeesha Alexander, and Kersh Ramsey. France’s Mathieu Borgne secured the title in the competition’s last staging.
The online competition demonstrated the true versatility of the instrument, as participants competed with musical items in the genres of jazz, soca, gospel, reggae, and calypso.
Adjudicators included Prof Liam Teague, Dr Mia Gormandy-Benjamin, Victor Provost, Andy Chichester and Ojay Richards.
Roach will be presented with his award during Black History Month celebrations in the United States early next year.
Past YGB honourees include T&T soca artistes Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez and Jamaica reggae icon Buju Banton.