All Stars expands its base

The 2002 Panorama champions and second place winners in 2003 competition, Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra has expanded its base at Duke Street, Port-of-Spain.

This is possible through the acquisition of adjacent property at 48 Duke Street through support from its Old Boys Association and Girls Association,  North American Chapter, which is based in Brooklyn, New York. To make the purchase possible they devoted their energies to fund raising drives for the past three years. In 2000, the Association raised US$6,400; 2001, US$7,000 and together with 2002’s contribution of US$10,100 making a grand total of TT$141,000. Neville Jules, founder and past captain made the presentation of US$10,000 to present captain Beresford Hunte at a reception hosted by the Old Boys and Girls last October. Hunte conveyed his gratitude to the members and supporters of the band on behalf of its officers and players. He said a civic centre would be constructed in the near future to ensure that All Stars remains a musical force in the steelband world. The band is one of the oldest in TT and its history closely linked to the development of the steelpan in colonial times. Among its pioneers were Walter Drayton, Hamill “Big Head” Thomas, Rudolph “Fisheye” Oliverre, Elmo “Bully” Alleyne, Prince Batson and Neville Jules.