USSA Panorama 2001

About USSA

In 1950, Rudy King played a tenor pan (then known as the ping pong) at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NY. Since that time, steelband music has been a staple in New York City. In 2001, the summer in Brooklyn wouldn’t be the same without the melodious sounds of Steelbands in the air as bands rehearse for panorama. However, for too long that has been the only way for steelband lovers to experience pan in New York.

With the formation of The United States Steelband Association (USSA), there is finally an organization that is acting in the best interest of steelbands. USSA was founded and is managed by members of the steelband fraternity. The organizations that have joined forces are: Pantonic, Sonatas, Adlib, Despers USA, Pan Rebels, Dem Stars, NY Nutones, Sesame Flyers, Caribbean Youth Panoramics, Tasso USA, Invaders, Pan Ambassadors, Harlem All-Stars, Marsicans, Pan Ivory, Moods Pan Groove, Utopia Pan Soul, NY All Stars and Brooklynaires. They have agreed to form a cohesive bond with the purpose of elevating the world’s awareness and appreciation of the steelpan, the only acoustical musical instrument invented in the 20th century.

This Double CD of NYC Panorama 2001 is the first of a series to be produced by USSA. Look out for future releases including “Reflections in Steel”, NY Panorama 2002 and our 2002 Christmas CD.

Concert Review
United States Steelband Association
(USSA) does it again! 
By CP Basement Press Writer
www.basementrecordings.com 

New York, USA A stunning display of musical mastery in steel unfolded at Reflections in Steel 2001 at the Whitman Theatre, Brooklyn College in Brooklyn on Friday 21 December 2001.

Once again, its hats off to the USSA for this pioneering event that showcased the premier pan orchestras in the US in a fresh, new Christmas production that was daring and visionary.

New York Panorama 2001 champions Pantonic, along with Sonatas, Adlib, Despers USA, Pan Rebels and Dem Stars, were charged with illustrating the versatility and range of the Steelpan in a multitude of musical settings, each by performing four selections comprising one tune of choice, one Sparrow-composed calypso (Reflections in Steel 2001 paid homage to the calypso King of the World, the Mighty Sparrow a.k.a. Slinger Francisco), one Christmas carol, and one Parang piece.

Pantonic steel orchestra was extremely energetic and lively, leaving little doubt as to why they are the 2001 Panorama champs, while quite noteworthy and not to be outdone, was Pan Rebels’ novel twinning of their panterpretation of the Christmas classic Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas with the vocals of soloist Michelle Williams, and What’s Going On with trumpeter Gary Rogers. Their parang piece re-introduced (and reminded the more knowledgeable in the audience of) the box bass as an integral part of parang music. Despers USA were crisp, clean and tight in their arrangements, Adlib’s attention to detail stood out with their exquisite dynamics, while Sonatas refreshing jazz-panterpretations demanded notice and acknowledgement of the overall best arrangements. Dem Stars rounded out the all-star pan cast with distinctive and enjoyable performances of their own, with the only non-pan performance coming from the evening’s honoree the Calypso King of the World himself, the Mighty Sparrow who graced the stage with his royal presence.

Garvin Blake, ace jazz pannist raised the bar in expectations from the Steelpan with his scintillating solos, panterpretation and searing renditions that left the crowd almost delirious with delight as they savored the sounds. The crowd’s reactions to the entire evening’s events left no doubt patrons were in total awe of their experience at Reflections in Steel 2001 from the musical morsels meted out.

The much heralded Basement Recordings-produced USSA Panorama 2001 concert CD and Video were on sale at the show, and were snapped up by eager patrons who had their appetite whetted and sated for more of what they heard and saw at Reflections.

Not only is the Reflections in Steel 2001 concert another notch in the USSA’s belt, but it is yet another ground-breaking and historical occurrence in the history of the New York steel orchestra scene, as the successful staging of a musical event that featured 99% pan music without the traditional backdrop of Labour Day festivities and outside the Panorama arena, had never even been conceived, much less pulled off.

The steelband concert proclaimed that which is well known by many, but to which the masses worldwide are now being awakened – the steelband is indeed the premier musical instrument of the 20th century, and is making its thundering declaration of this in the 21st.