Sweet music at start of Single Pan prelims

The first band performed an arrangement of “Melosian Rhapsody” on pans tuned by Desmond “Mapo Richardson” producing very nice tones.

The next band, Star Sapphire, was located at Gill’s Rum Shop, Eastern Main Road, Valencia and they produced an energetic arrangement of Len Boogsie Sharpe’s composition “Fire Down Below”.

Pan Stereonetts in Valencia was awaiting the judges at Jacob Hill to play Anslem Campbell’s arrangement of Ronnie McIntosh’s “Shaking It”.

The judges stayed in Valencia for East Phonics’ version of “Teaser” which took them to 6.25 p.m. By this time it was clear that the exercise would be very time consuming as they journeyed to Upper De Gannes Street, Arima to hear Pan on The Move. Calypsonian Crazy (Edwin Ayoung) also arrived just before the band played to give them support as they played his 2017 song “Oh God, Oh God”.

Trinidad Nostalgic was just 150 meters away from Pan on The Move so the judges walked to the pan yard.

There, arranger Amrit Samaroo and his players were awaiting their turn to play Superblue’s “Flag Party”.

The arrangement and performance was one that stood out.

The judges continued their trek to Nu Pioneers Pan Groove about another 300 meters away. Crazy was also on hand at Sanchez Street where Nu Pioneers played his song “Drive It”. Defending champions, Marsicans, gave a spirited performance of Marlon White’s arrangement of “Thunder” by Kelvin “Duke” Pope before their enthusiastic fans.

Arima All Stars Steel Orchestra boasted of the largest crowd and when they finished their rendition of Brian Austin’s arrangement of SuperBlue’s “Get Something and Wave” there was thunderous applause.

The judges then journeyed to Brazil where they stopped at Keith’s Bar on the Talparo Main Road at Brazil RX 4 which played Akil Browne’s arrangement of “Kaka Roach” before they continued to Jai Ramkissoon Lands to Magic Notes Rebirth to hear them play Baron’s “Tell Me Why” arranged by Rishi Depoosingh and Jerome Jones.

At the end of their performance it was just before midnight making it a very long evening for the judges.

Day two of the East Zone Single Pan preliminary continued on Monday where seven steel orchestras faced the judges