LEFT: Alston Jack, a master pannist in the jazz arena. Photo: Keith Matthews
RIGHT: Prolific pan composer Miguel Reyes.
Photo: Karla Ramoo

Pan people are responding positively to a Pan Trinbago questionnaire, which seeks panmen’s views on burning Panorama questions. I know there’s a groundswell of support for pan prelim judging moving out of the panyards, and into the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain. Pan Trinbago also wants feedback on eliminating the medium band category, and only having two categories—Single Pan and large bands. Medium bands will now join the large band category. Whatever the outcome, interesting times are ahead.

Edwin’s bolt of lighting
No less than eighteen pan songs have been released so far, with more to come. I tell you, Panorama 2010 will be a goldmine of pan song sweet melodies. Pretty soon, Edwin Pouchet, of PCS Trinidad Silver Stars and Thunder Coming fame, will hit the town with Lightening Strikes Twice. He’s hoping to repeat in 2010 the victory of the Silver Stars at the 2009 National Panorama competition. And don’t doubt him; Edwin has the necessary arranging skills for a repeat. With PCS Nitrogen now on board, I see nothing stopping the Silver Stars, as they aim for gold. In 2009 they were First in Line; in 2010, expect a bolt of Lightning.

Jack of all Pannists
Sometimes I feel I’m like Christopher Columbus, discovering new pan people. Two pannists making waves in the USA—Brooklyn, New York, to be exact—are Alston Jack and Miguel Reyes. These two pannists, who also wear the hats of composer and arranger, are surely keeping the red, white and black flying high. First off, let’s talk about Alston. He’s been making his name in the jazz circuit internationally. You name it, Alston has done it. He has appeared at jazz festivals and colleges, spreading the gospel of pan. Movies and television shows are not left out; Alston has done them all. Among his credits are The Cosby Show, NBC’s Today Show and the Children’s Television Workshop.

Alston has done commercials too, from Suntan Lotion to Barcadi Rum. This versatile pannist has also appeared at the prestigious Lincoln Centre and Apollo Theatre. One wonders where he gets all that energy from, maybe he’s pan’s Energiser Bunny. Alston also finds time to teach senior citizens the pan at the Blenman Senior Centre, Brooklyn, USA. Educated at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (piano and voice), this pan soldier has three CDs out—Samantha, Low Pencil and Cousins by Steel featuring acclaimed trumpeter Etienne Charles. It’s not easy with Alston Jack.

Miguel Reyes—a name to watch
Many pan people have heard his name, but they can’t put a face to the name Miguel Reyes. This panman/composer and arranger is a hot number where pan songs are concerned. A prolific composer, Miguel is responsible for the 2009 song Bandoleros, sung (and named) by Tunapuna Scanty. It’s his most successful pan song so far. The song has taken Clico Sforzata to the winner’s enclosure in the medium category of the National Panorama. Pan Sonatas of the USA won the Brooklyn Labour Day Panorama with a spirited arrangement of the song. Both the Sforzata and Sonata arrangements were done by Yohan Popwell.

But that achievement has lit a fire under Miguel, who, for 2010, has unleashed a CD compilation of seven original pan songs and three instrumentals. The CD features songs done by artistes based in the USA, including Designer, Tunapuna Scanty and Mr Lonesome. Today, the Buzz says hats off to these two wonderful pan soldiers of Brooklyn, USA who are really making Brooklyn the home of pan creativity. Watch out, T&T!

Ain’t that ‘Cute’
I keep thinking the women who comprise the Blenman Steel Sounds of Brooklyn, New York, will be annoyed with me for calling them “pan grannies.” You know they actually love the name. So I won’t get hit on the head with their umbrellas. I’ve heard from two grannies—Teresa Turner and Dolores Herbert—who have adopted me as their ‘pan grandson’. I feel honoured. All the best, gals, on your upcoming CD—Cute.

If it isn’t broken, why fix it?
Today the Buzz wants to congratulate the vibrant Northern Region of Pan Trinbago and its outgoing executive which has been returned to office overwhelmingly. Led by Douglas “Dougie” Williams, and campaigning on the planks of integrity and service, the team swept the board. Their performance in the past has been excellent and it begs the question—if it isn’t broken, why fix it? Congratulations.

Until next week, keep loving up the pan.