Classical Tuesdays hosted Steel Pan performing the music of Trinidad. Led by Miho Takekawa, the group performed several selections outdoors in Tacoma’s Chinese Reconciliation Park.
It was a gorgeous day with great musicians in a special spot in Tacoma! Here's the video - do join us to celebrate our cultures and artists. Glad to collaborate with Tacoma Ocean Fest to showcase our community!
Performers: Donovan Klega, Matthew Kusche, Elizabeth Larios, Jordan Bluhm, Ashley Neufeld, Rui-An Tseng, Claire Calderon, Darek Solomon, Jacob Shaffer, Sebastian Hernandez, and Dr. Greg Youtz.
Director: Dr. Miho Takekawa.
The performance features music by Black artists (Sonny Rollins, Marvin Gaye, Ray Holman), extended possibilities of steel band music of different styles (Calypso, Motown, Classical, Reggae), and captures authentic Trinidadian steel band sound (by Ray Holman).
Music:
- St. Thomas (Calypso Jazz Standard - the composer Sonny Rollins’ parents were from the US Virgin Islands and he was inspired by a song that his parents sang)
- Strangers Like Me ~ Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Disney song and Marvin Gaye hit song - arranged by the Puyallup School District’s Steel Pan Group instructor Sebastian Hernandez)
- Bogoroditse Devo (composed by Rachmaninoff - Russian choir music. Arranged by current Steel Pan member Darek Solomon)
- Red Red Wine (Reggae classic, arranged by current Steel Pan member Jordan Bluhm)
- Steelband Paradise (Composed by Miho’s mentor Ray Holman from Trinidad and Tobago)
Before the performance is a short conversation between:
- Pamela Ryker (Artistic Director of the Classical Tuesdays series)
- Greg Youtz (Pacific Lutheran University Music Department and Trinidad and Tobago Study Abroad program)
- Miho Takekawa (PLU Music Department)
- Sebastian Hernandez (and Bryn Meyer and Noah Leifsen, students in the PSD Pans of Steel ensemble).
Video by @Kris Crews - Crews Creative - http://crews-creative.com - September 2020.
