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Pan in the City of Montreal
A brief History
1960's
As the steelpan began to spread abroad internationally, Montreal
was no exception to its reception. Seasoned pannist would leave
Trinidad with their pans when they travelled or migrated out of
the island, and wherever they met, they would obviously get
together to 'beat some pan'.
Montreal became a focal point for a while and played a very
important role in presenting the steelpan to a larger
international community. It happened at that renowned Canadian
International World's Fair called Montreal's Expo-67.
The Trinidad Pavilion was very prominent amongst the preferred
sites; having as a highlighted attraction the steelband. Here the
National Steelband Trinidad & Tobago found an international forum for the
presentation of steelpan music. They were later joined by another
steelband that was on a world tour - The Trinidad Esso Tripoli
Steelband. The whole world was watching.
Even today many Montrealers who experienced that phenomenon still
remember the steelbands of the Expo-67 fair. The
steelband movement in Canada should have kicked off in a serious
way at that point in time, unfortunately it did not. Although
some members from those original steelbands remained in Montreal,
and even today still maintain a steelband by the name Trinidad
Playboys, their efforts within the movement never grew more
substantive.
Prominent players from Trinidad who came and remained here
included Bert Bolden, Martin Albino and James Andrews - a pan
tuner.
1970's
It was to be short of a decade later, before another little step
forward was made by Montreal's steelpan movement. It was in 1974,
at the onset of Montreal's first carnival, that inspired some of
the pan players to put together a steelband to perform in the
parade - Super Steel.
Among the people involved were Edmund and Kenneth Charles (
Brothers to Rudolph Charles - Desperadoes ), Knolly Smith
from Esso Tripoli, Puddin Holman ( Not Ray )
from Phase II / Starlift, Bernard Gibbs and Bonnie Buckoo.
This author ( Salah ) was fortunate to be in Montreal at
this time, having migrated to Montreal in 1973, with his chromed
alto pans made by Wallace Austin. His contribution simply began
being as player, enthusiast and witness to the events of the day.
Super Steel had a short life-span as there were too many diverse
influences. MeloTones was another of the steelbands that some of
the vanguards of pan kept going for awhile.
During the years 1974 to 1979, this author was instrumental in
putting together two bands with a difference of musical emphases
and format. With his friend Jimi Phillip, Pan Vibes Exhibits
explored the concept of a small five piece steelband; and Galaxy
Vocal Steelband vocalised with lead singer Junior Byron.
1980's
In 1984 the author began a three year sojourn as a street
musician, taking the pan down into the subways - The Montreal
Metro - and out onto the streets and parks.
Later the author was able to established a Steelpan Program with
the Cote Des Neiges or black community as it is called.
In 1988 the author established a family steelband called the
Salah & Family Steelpan Workshop.
1990's
In 1990 the concept of setting up a steelband organisation in
Montreal came to fruition when Pan Quebec was established, the
author being a founder member and became its first president.
In 1991 a 'Steelband in the School Program' was accepted by the
City authorities. The pilot project was run at Coronation School.
Between 1991 and 1997 the introduction of pan into other Montreal
Public Schools continued; and other community steelband programs
were introduced. Cities public schools now involved with the
project were Coronation and Somerled Schools; John Grant &
Wagar High. The awareness of pan in this city was now thankfully
growing.
Evidence of the strength of the growth in the cultural roots of
the steelpan movement in the city of Montreal may be judged
through its success in that by the mid 1990's, Pan Quebec was
producing two annual Steelband Festivals; Classics &
Carols in the winter; and the more traditionally cultural
Panorama style Pan Jamboree in the summer.
In 1997 the author established a private steelpan music school
called Salah & Family Steelpan Music Academy.
By the late 1990's other local pannist began setting up their own
Pan Programs in various communities.
2000
[ To be updated as time allows ]
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