Pan in Canada

Pan Québec

Pan Québec is a social, cultural, educational, and non-profit organization which has as its primary objectives; the development of the musical skills of any group of people, the sharing of cultural experiences, the promotion of music as an academic discipline and above all, the enhancement of the steelband movement. The origin of this dynamic musical expression is rooted in the backyards of the common folk of Trinidad and Tobago, the birthplace of the steelpan.

In keeping with the international trends of steelband music, Pan Québec has since its inception in 1990, endeavoured to expose many social, cultural, and educational institutions to the music of the steelband.

Pan Québec is the brainchild of Mr Anthony Salah Wilson, a native of Trinidad and president and founder of the organization. At the present time, the organization is managed by a small body of directors. Among them are Mr Knolly Smith, vice-president and Mr Leonard Marshall, secretary, both veterans of the Montreal Expo-67 Trinidad Tripoli Steelband; Mr Britten Bernard; Miss Rachel Wilson; Mr Knolly Smith Jr; and Ms Helen Alleyne, accountant. There are many other persons whose contributions in the past gave rise to the development of Pan Québec. Among them are Bert Boldon, Egbert Gaye, Eddie Alleyne and Neville Brown, to name but a few.

Pan Québec engages in diverse social, educational, and cultural activities. These include organized classes in music at both Elementary and High School levels, as well as programmes in the community at large. Pan Québec stimulates cultural awareness among people of various ethnic and racial backgrounds. Patrons come to enjoy the traditional Calypso music played at the Summer Steelpan Festival entitled the Pan Jamboree; or seek the alternative seasonal atmosphere offered at the concerts of the Winter Steelpan Festival entitled Classical & Carols, where classical compositions and Christmas Carols are played.

As each year goes by, Pan Québec attempts to provide a more enthusiastic and diverse Summer & Winter Festival as it spreads and incorporates more Canadians, of all ages and races, into the art of steelpan playing. Everyone is invited to share and participate in this unique cultural experience.

The Pan in Montreal & Toronto

1950's
Canadians first saw the Steelband in the CNE IN August of 1953 (Toronto). Posters of this event exist in their archives.

1960's
As the steelpan began to spread abroad internationally, Montreal was no exception to its reception. Seasoned pannist would leave Trinidad with their pans when they travelled or migrated out of the island, and wherever they met, they would obviously get together to 'beat some pan'.

Montreal became a focal point for a while and played a very important role in presenting the steelpan to a larger international community. It happened at that renowned Canadian International World's Fair called Montreal's Expo-67. The Trinidad Pavilion was very prominent amongst the preferred sites; having as a highlighted attraction the steelband. Here the National Steelband Trinidad & Tobago found an international forum for the presentation of steelpan music. They were later joined by another steelband that was on a world tour - The Trinidad Esso Tripoli Steelband. The whole world was watching.

Even today many Montrealers who experienced that phenomenon still remember the steelbands of the Expo-67 fair. The steelband movement in Canada should have kicked off in a serious way at that point in time, unfortunately it did not. Although some members from those original steelbands remained in Montreal, and even today still maintain a steelband by the name Trinidad Playboys, their efforts within the movement never grew more substantive.

Prominent players from Trinidad who came and remained here included Bert Bolden, Martin Albino and James Andrews - a pan tuner.

1970's
It was to be short of a decade later, before another little step forward was made by Montreal's steelpan movement. It was in 1974, at the onset of Montreal's first carnival, that inspired some of the pan players to put together a steelband to perform in the parade - Super Steel.

Among the people involved were Edmund and Kenneth Charles (Brothers to Rudolph Charles - Desperadoes), Knolly Smith from Esso Tripoli, Puddin Holman (Not Ray) from Phase II / Starlift, Bernard Gibbs and Bonnie Buckoo.

Salah Wilson was fortunate to be in Montreal at this time, having migrated to Montreal in 1973, with his chromed alto pans made by Wallace Austin. His contribution simply began being as player, enthusiast and witness to the events of the day.

Super Steel had a short life-span as there were too many diverse influences. MeloTones was another of the steelbands that some of the vanguards of pan kept going for awhile.

During the years 1974 to 1979, Salah was instrumental in putting together two bands with a difference of musical emphases and format. With his friend Jimi Phillip, Pan Vibes Exhibits explored the concept of a small five piece steelband; and Galaxy Vocal Steelband vocalised with lead singer Junior Byron.

1980's
In 1984 the author began a three year sojourn as a street musician, taking the pan down into the subways - The Montreal Metro - and out onto the streets and parks.

Later Salah was able to established a Steelpan Program with the Cote Des Neiges or black community as it is called.

In 1988 Salah established a family steelband called the Salah & Family Steelpan Workshop.

1990's
In 1990 the concept of setting up a steelband organisation in Montreal came to fruition when Pan Quebec was established, Salah being a founder member and became its first president.

In 1991 a 'Steelband in the School Program' was accepted by the City authorities. The pilot project was run at Coronation School.

Between 1991 and 1997 the introduction of pan into other Montreal Public Schools continued; and other community steelband programs were introduced. Cities public schools now involved with the project were Coronation and Somerled Schools; John Grant & Wagar High. The awareness of pan in this city was now thankfully growing.

Evidence of the strength of the growth in the cultural roots of the steelpan movement in the city of Montreal may be judged through its success in that by the mid 1990's, Pan Quebec was producing two annual Steelband Festivals; Classics & Carols in the winter; and the more traditionally cultural Panorama style Pan Jamboree in the summer.

By 1995 Toronto started it's first Panorama competition under the auspices of Pan Trinbago (Canada) led by Cecil 'Mugs' Clarke, it was held at Monarch Park Stadium, many of the top bands participated and the competition was won by Salah & Family of Montreal. This event continued on annually through out the 90's.

In 1997, Salah established a private steelpan music school called Salah & Family Steelpan Music Academy.

By the late 1990's other local pannist began setting up their own Pan Programs in various communities.

2000's
The new millennium brought about new ideas and new concepts. In Montreal the Pan Jamboree presented by Pan Quebec had outgrown its cultural roots in the local Community and the desire for growth saw the emergence of a new organization the 'Montreal International Steelpan Festival'. This festival changed its location to downtown Montreal and included a Panorama and Tune of Choice Competitions inviting Bands and individuals from Toronto, USA, Vancouver and Trinidad. The Festival continued to develop such that by 2007 it included a Junior competition for the growing number of school bands. Further developments including an all steelpan parade is planned for the rest of the decade.

Meanwhile in Toronto the emergence of a new organization and festival was imminent.

In the early 2000's Ontario Steelband Association (OSA) replaced Pan Trinbago Canada with the new festival entitled 'Pan Alive'. It is currently held at Lamport Stadium and involves a Panorama competition of the twelve biggest bands in Canada. The current champions (2007) are Salah's Steelpan Academy of Montreal.