Pan Masters Steel Orchestra is widely recognized as one of the best steelbands on the east coast. Based in North Brentwood, MD (right outside of Washington DC), the group was formed in 1985 by eleven individuals who were former members of the Trinidad & Tobago Steel Orchestra of Washington DC.
Today, Pan Masters has grown to over 25 players (some being the children of the founding members), with several dozen more people being active members of the Pan Masters Organization. The organization boasts a diverse membership in both age and nationality. Most members hail from various parts of the Caribbean, but in recent years several American pannists have joined the group, having learned to play at colleges and high schools throughout the US. These include Oberlin College, Northern Illinois University, Florida State University and Catonsville High School.
Pan Masters has a long list of accomplishments, including being adjudged the 1993 though 1998 Steelband Champions at the Baltimore Panorama Competition, and being adjudged the Best Playing Steelband at DC Carnival nearly every year since the carnival's inception in 1993. Pan Masters regularly participates in the Brooklyn, NY J'Ouvert Parade, and placed first in the 1998 competition. We also have the distinction of being featured on the children's music CD "Bon Appetit!" by local duo Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, which won the 2003 Grammy for Best Children's Album.
Some of the venues and occasions that we have had the honor of performing at include: the inaugurations of President Bill Clinton and D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, the Smithsonian Institute, the Cherry Blossom Festival, Bethlehem PA Musikfest, Potomac Riverfest, the Folklore Society of Greater Washington, and the Institute of Musical Traditions Concert Series. We have performed annually since 1985 at the Bluemont Concert Series, bringing the music of the Caribbean to audiences all over northern and western Virginia.
Pan Masters is available for hire for parties, weddings, corporate functions, concert performances and festivals.
Pan Masters has released several CDs, the latest of which is entitled On De Road, and features many calypsos and "bomb tunes" which have won accolades in various carnivals. In 2005, we celebrated our 20th Anniversary with a concert featuring guest artist Robert Greenidge. A DVD of this concert performance is the latest addition to our releases.
We have been blessed with some very talented musical arrangers such as Marc Anatol, Patrick Belle, Lennard Jack, Joseph Lewis, Pete St.Cyr, Robert "Bullit" Thwaites, Sherwin & Shawn Thwaites, Ken "Professor" Philmore, Roger Greenidge, and Kristen Jones. Many of the our younger members are also being trained as arrangers. Pan Masters has a reputation in the area for performing high-quality arrangements of a diverse repertoire of calypso, jazz, pop, reggae, classical and latin selections.
Besides being a performing steelband, Pan Masters is also a cultural organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Caribbean music and culture throughout the Washington DC area. To that end, we host several annual events and activities. Pan classes are offered throughout the year for all ages, and a Junior Pan Solo Competition is held to encourage and showcase the talents of the many young pannists in the area. Pan Masters hosts an annual Pan Jamboree in late May, which has quickly become one of the biggest and best events for steel pan on the east coast. The Jamboree features performances by both local and out of town steelbands (notably, New York bands Pantonic, CASYM and Despers USA) in a non-competitive atmosphere. Pan Masters also hosts the annual DC Calypso Monarch Competition, which draws participants from all over the eastern US and Trinidad.
We have an open house policy at "De Panyard" which is located at 4559 Rhode Island Ave (US Rt. 1), North Brentwood, MD. We have practice and/or a "lime" going on almost every Friday night and all are welcome.
To contact Pan Masters, e-mail us at [email protected], or call 301-864-2610.
All songs on this page were recorded live by Art Isaacs and David "King of Swag" Eisner at our concert for the Folklore Society of Greater Washington on 9/23/06
