DESPERS DOES IT

At about 1.42 am, playing in position 13nine out of ten, the band performed 13a distinctly despers musical 13arrangement of ‘Different Me’ as 13arranged by Carlton Zanda Alexander.

The players had a wonderful 13start and from there it was just 13magical. After the introduction 13Zanda came through the bass on 13the eastern side of the stage to take 13up his position in front of the band.

For eight minutes and two seconds, 13Desperadoes held the Queen’s Park 13Savannah audience in awe.

The arrangement was much 13different from the one played at 13the semi-finals. Zanda kept to the 13song with the bass line rumbling 13through out and when they were 13finished the decibel level of the applause 13was off the chart. After the 13victory captain Kelvin Holder said, 13“This victory was well deserved, we 13have been longing for this for the 13last fifteen years. We worked very 13hard and every night before practice 13we came together and started 13with a prayer.

“This victory is for the community 13of Laventille and I praise Zanda 13who is very easy to work with, 13he is so humble. It reminds me 13of the days of Clive Bradley. The 13music was a conversation, orchestrated 13and colourful where each 13instrument played its part, the bass 13and midrange working in harmony 13with the tenors.

“We want to educate the younger 13folks about how great this steel 13orchestra is so they can give praise 13where it’s due. We now hope the 13membership grows.” 13After the victory, Trinidad’s 13great jazz musician, Clive Zanda 13was seen on stage celebrating with 13members of his family. Arranger 13Carlton was not on stage to celebrate.

This victory is number eleven 13for Desperadoes, two more than 13their nearest rivals Renegades and 13All Stars both with nine victories.

Before Desperadoes, First Citizens 13Supernovas repeated their 13semi-final performance at just 13about the same time (around midnight).

Playing Amrit Samaroo’s 13arrangement of “Breakthrough” 13this band truly broke all barriers to 13end up in second place, one point 13behind the winners. Without a 13doubt Dr. Jit Samaroo’s music lives 13on through his son Amrit. The 13arrangement was exciting, wellpaced 13to cause the desired effect of 13a breakthrough but with a classical 13quality.

Semi-finals leader Phase II Pan 13Groove in partnership with Hadco 13moved their performance time 13from six minutes 38 seconds to 13seven minutes but it just was not 13enough to overcome Desperadoes 13and Supernovas. Their performance 13of “Madd Music” showed 13echoes of Kitchener, with sweet 13runs and a very good sound. Arranger 13Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe remains 13the only man to go out on a 13limb and be different with the music 13on a final night.

Duvone Stewart and bp Renegades 13just could not bring home 13the victory for their former arranger 13Dr Jit Samaroo. They tied for 13third with Phase 11 for their rendition 13of “Music Inside Meh Head”.

Caribbean Airlines Invaders came 13in fifth with their performance of 13Arddin Herbert’s arrangement of 13“Take Dat”. They produced a very 13rich sound with plenty energy 13coming from the players who also 13sang the lyrics of the chorus. The 13performance was rhythmic and enjoyable.

Defending champions Massy 13All Stars came in sixth with their 13performance of Leon Smooth Edwards’ 13arrangement of “Leave We 13Alone”. PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars 13performed “Panoramic” as arranged 13by Professor Liam Teague 13and they could have easily won the 13best dressed award for the night.

RBC Redemption Sound Setters, 13NLCB Fonclaire and Skiffle completed 13the programme on the 13night. Skiffle went over the playing 13time by twenty-two seconds thereby 13loosing several points.

Fonclaire changed their arrangement 13from semi-final instilling 13some more soul in the song but still 13could not get the necessary points 13to push them to the top. RBC Redemption 13Sound Setters continues 13to be that one Tobago band to 13make the finals every year. Their 13performance of Michael Toby and 13Darren Sheppard’s arrangement of 13“No No We eh Going Home” had 13good rhythm.

This year the bands chose to 13use pyrotechnics and confetti to 13showcase their performances but 13at most times this proved to be a 13distraction. In their first year in 13the Large Band division First Citizen 13Supernovas also picked up the 13Peoples’ Choice Award of $10,000.

Pan Trinbago honoured Bertrand 13Kelman, Damien Holder, Wallace 13Austin and Curtis Pierre for their 13contribution to the pan movement.

Minister of Community Development, 13Culture and The Arts Dr.

Nyan Gadbsy-Dolly was on hand 13to distribute the trophies to the 13winners. (See Page A5) 13DES PERS WIN FILE 13Year*Song*Arranger 131966*Obeah Wedding*Beverly 13Griffith 131970*Margie*Clive Bradle6y 131976*Pan in Harmony*Clive 13Bradley 131977*Crawford*Clive Bradley 131983*Rebecca*Clive Bradley 131985*Pan Night and Day*B.

Griffith & R. Greenidge 131991*Musical Volcano*Robert 13Greenidge 131994*Fire Coming Down*Robert 13Greenidge 131999*In my House*Clive Bradley 132000*Picture on my Wall*Clive 13Bradley 132016*Different Me*Carlton Zanda 13Alexander 13 13