Super Supernovas

Founded by Amrit Samaroo, son of legendary arranger Jit Samaroo, led the band from the rhythm section and gave the crowd a wonderful version of the Beatles’ Yesterday, then raised the tempo to the highest of heights for Maestro’s Fiery and Gold, and kept the momentum going with Technically (Farmer Nappy/Destra Garcia).

The band was followed by a large crowd after it moved off from the central playing point.

Creating an equally entertaining impact was reigning Panorama champ Massy All Stars which put all pan aficionados in ecstasy with their playing of Full Extreme (MX Prime & the Ultimate Rejects) and their signature song, Woman on the Bass (Scrunter).

All Stars too had a large band of followers.

The parade got off with San Juan East Side Symphony, accompanied by traditional mas characters and moko jumbies.

Getting big ovations were Sangre Grande Cordettes that got people swaying to Temperature and Fast Wine both by Machel Montano, as did the Laventille Road Police Youth Club with Baila Baila (Krosfyah), I Am I Said (Neil Diamond) and Good Morning (Peter Ram), St Margaret’s Youth Steel Ensemble with Far From Finished (Voice), Full Extreme and Different Me (5Star Akil), Harmonites - Dingolay (Shadow), What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong), Ah Diggin’ Horrors, Lizard and No Money No Love (Sparrow), Pan Elders with a most entertaining performance of Dus in Dey Face (David Rudder) and Roti and Talkari (Sugar Aloes), and NGC Couva Joylanders that gave sweet versions of Socaman, Black Man Feeling To Party (Black Stalin) and This Melody Sweet (Baron) Then came a flurry of some “big guns” who didn’t disappoint. Following Supernovas were Desperadoes that did a dynamic Panorama version of Different Me, then bp Renegades rocked the square with oldie goodies My Pussin’, Fever and Rainorama all from the pen of the late grandmaster Aldwyn Kitchener Roberts, and We Could Make it if we Try (Black Stalin), and PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars that kept the crowd merrily dancing to I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor) and Love’s Theme (Barry White).

Other bands that also created good impacts on the night were Tropical Angel Harps (Calypso, Doh Do Dat, Melosian Rhapsody), Caribbean Airlines Invaders (Full Extreme, Fire Down Below), Republic Bank Exodus (Fast Wine), MHTL Starlift (Fete and Swing) and Phase II in Collaboration with Hadco (Wood in the Fire, Drunk and Disorderly and Woman Is Boss) The event, done in celebration of the anniversary of our Independence and in recognition of the national musical instrument the pan, paid special tribute to the late legendary masman Stephen Derek.

Prior to the parade long-standing residents of Woodbrook and members of some steelbands were awarded in front of the Adam-Smith Square followed by an Arabian Dance done by Rebecca Elias and Stephanie Kalloo, and a performance by the Wasafoli Dancers to the music of a rhythm section.

Also performing were Curepe Scherzando, Southern Marines, St James Tripolians, Laventille Serenaders, Western Stars Philharmonic, Arima Angel Harps, Blue Diamonds, Brimblers, Harvard Harps, Skiffle Steel, Defence Force Steel Ensemble and Newtown Playboys, while Suave Steel entertained at Adam Smith Square