On Sunday April 10, 2005, Caribbean Festivals, Inc., a non-profit, tax exempt organization will stage a performance at the Publick Playhouse for The Performing Arts featuring Pan Masters Steel Orchestra, Washington DC preeminent steel band  in concert with Robert Greenidge, world renowned pannist from Trinidad and Tobago.

NARRATIVE OF PAN MASTERS STEEL ORCHESTRA

The formation of many a Steelband has historically evolved from another existing band.  Such is the case of Pan Masters.  Some of the founding members of Pan Masters had previously performed with the Trinidad and Tobago Steelband of Washington, D.C.  In May 1985, these individuals decided to chart their musical aspirations in another direction and this resulted in the birth of Pan Masters Steel Orchestra.  The original members include Frankie Balthazar, St Clair Balthazar, Roland Barnes, Robert Barnes, Patrick Belle, Don Cumberbatch, Malcolm John, Lennard Jack, Stephen Landrigan, Joseph Lewis and Brian Solomon. In May 2005, Pan Masters Steel Orchestra will celebrate 20 years of providing Steelband music in the Washington Metropolitan Area. The band has traveled north as far as Brooklyn, New York and south to North Carolina. The band is based in North Brentwood.

Its accomplishments include performances at area hospitals, nursing homes, schools and the home for the elderly; being adjudged the 1993 through 1998 Steelband Champion in the Baltimore Panorama Competition; recipient of the judges award for outstanding performance at the 1993 through 2004, D.C. Caribbean Carnival celebrations on Georgia Avenue; 1998 champion in the New York  J’Ouvert competition: several command performances at the Bluemont Concert Series and the inaugurations of former President Bill Clinton and former Mayor Marion Barry.

Over the years Pan Masters has had the opportunity to expose Caribbean culture to residents in several areas in Virginia.  Whether it was to showcase the stilt dancers such as Billah and Shacomba, or the Caribbean Folk Dancers, Pan Masters was instrumental in bringing the Caribbean to such places as Winchester, Warrenton, Leesburg, Culpeper, Luray, Lansdowne and Reston.   Other opportunities afforded Pan Masters included several performances at Caribbean Summer in the Park, Prince George’s County Bicentennial Celebrations, Kettering Founder’s Day Parade, Hispanic Festival, Potomac Riverfest, District of Columbia Parks and Recreation, City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation, Maryland National Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery County Ethnic Festival, Smithsonian Institute, the Cherry Blossom Parade and Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA.

Another notable accomplishment is providing opportunities for future pannist to develop an appreciation for the art form.  To this end, Pan Masters has successfully conducted classes and workshops.  The success of this program can best be noted by the fact that some of the graduates have joined the Pan Masters.  Pan Masters has attributed its success to a strong belief in the family, a strong and determined group of musical arrangers, and an experienced administrative and promotional organization, which places equal merit on quality performers and good clientele relationships.

Pan Masters has expanded its community programming to include an annual “Pan Jamborie” which brings together Steelbands in the area in an open atmosphere similar to the open air pan performances held in the Caribbean. Local groups include Pan Masters Steel Orchestra, Positive Vibration, East of the River Steelband and Tropical Ensemble. Out of town Groups include Casym and Despers USA from New York. Additionally, they have increased their involvement in the DC Caribbean Carnival wherein they organized and managed the Annual Calypso Monarch Competition.

NARRATIVE OF ROBERT GREENIDGE

Biography: Robert Greenidge Arranger, Composer, Steel Drum & Recording Artist Robert Greenidge was born in Success Village, Laventille, Trinidad, West Indies on 28 April 1950. His first playing experience came under the direction of an uncle, Carl Greenidge who was a renowned arranger and tuner. At the tender age of eight, he began executing the art of the steel drums with the Savoys Steel Orchestra. Possessing an artistic ear for playing various types of compositions, he was recruited at the age of 15 by Trinidad’s leading steel orchestra "Desperadoes" winning several prestigious awards including: the Prime Minister Trophy, The Triple Crown, The Governors General Cup, and the Music Festival Trophy.

At sixteen Robert Greenidge performed at the First Negro Arts Festival in Africa, and during the following year 1967, he performed at the Montreal Exposition in Canada, followed by an extensive tour to London, Zambia and New York in 1968. In 1970 he was chosen to represent Trinidad and Tobago, both as a soloist and a member of Trinidad National Steel Orchestra.

In 1971 Robert Greenidge migrated to New York City, to study composing and arranging at the Third Street Musical Conservatory. He toured with the Music Makers Steel Orchestra for the next two years through California and Nevada. Greenidge settled in Los Angeles, California in 1974. He recorded with various artist such as, Maurice White, Earth Wind and Fire, and John Lennon and Ringo Star of the Beatles just to name a few.

By 1978 Robert Greenidge returned to Trinidad to work with Rudolph Charles (Desperadoes), one of the innovators of a newly designed steel drum which required hand, foot coordination dexterity and speed. His expertise bought the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra to a new height in music. Ever since the Trinidad Carnival of 1979, Greenidge returns to Trinidad every year to play.

Robert Greenidge's awesome pan solos can be heard on numerous movie soundtracks including Brothers, Hard to Kill, 48 Hours and Cool Runnings. He has also performed on television with the Jackson Five, on the Love Boat and the Tonight Show with both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno.