| Trinidad and Tobago's national instrument, the steel drum, or pan, developed in the late 1930s as part of a carnival ensemble of bamboo stamping tubes called bamboo tamboo. The first pans had only a few notes and played repetitive rhythmic patterns, but enterprising tuners quickly developed the instrument's melodic capabilities such that it could play any tune. The modern steel band comprises many sections, including bass, cellos, seconds, and tenor or lead pans, and may have as many as 120 players. The rehearsals and repertoire of most steel bands in Trinidad are largely driven by the carnival season competition called Panorama. Heard in this excerpt is Ray Holman, one of the most esteemed performers, composers, and arrangers of steel band music in Trinidad and Tobago. |
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