mangrovesteelband.com

"The Mangrove Steelbands 1st Appearance at the Notting Hill Carnival 1980"

picture taken by "Captain"

Our History.....

The Mangrove Steelband is one of the most prominent in Europe. Formed in 1980 from a ‘Pan Round Neck’ group of the traditional type we have established ourselves as a fully-fledged modern orchestra. With an enormous following of supporters we are one of the largest/most travelled and most professional Steelbands in Britain.Current and Seven times winners of Panorama, the UK's National Steel pan competition. The band was born out of the vision and determination of Trinidadian's living in the Notting Hill area in a quest to introduce the culture of Steelband and Carnival to the local youths of their community, thus ensuring the Caribbean art forms were handed down from generation to generation.

A core element of twenty dedicated players rehearse and perform all year round. During the summer months this figure swells to Eighty members as the band prepares to participate in the London Notting Hill Carnival and the UK's prestigious Steelband competition - Panorama. A competition at which the band has experienced an immense amount of success (winning on seven occasions, runners-up for seven others and winning at this years championships establishing themselves as one of Europe's premiere Steelbands.

With a wide and varied repertoire we have performed at a diversity of prestigious venues and events up and down the country. Including Henley Regatta, Hampton Court Flower Show, the Oxford Midsummer Night Ball and a Vivienne Westwood Fashion Show to name but a few. No strangers to high profile performances the band have appeared in front of an array of distinguished guests, including HRH the Queen at the Royal Albert Hall.

In addition to their live performances the band has also completed a debut album - "A Feel For Steel".The Recent addition of their own recording studio means there are many more to come.
The Mangrove Steelband is for the whole of our local and wider community, young and old, whatever race, colour, creed, sex or ability to participate and work together within the band towards a mutual goal.

"Notting Hill Carnival 1981"

"Joe Ramtahal & Winston Findlay Commonwealth Institute 1981"

"GLC/Capital Radio Steelband Festival 30th July 1983"

"Last minute rehearsals on all saints road for our 1986 Panorama Victory"

"Notting Hill Panorama 1999"

_________________________________________________________________________

A Brief History of the Steeldrum

The steelpan or steel drum originated on the island of Trinidad in the 1930's it is the only acoustic musical instrument invented in the 20th century. It is difficult to say exactly when the steelpan was inventive there are several versions of the history. There is some general agreement that the instrument emerged in an organized form for the first time during the second half of the 1930's.The steel orchestra is composed of instruments covering the full range of the conventional orchestra. There are tenors, double seconds, guitars, cellos, quadros and bass, plus a percussion/rhythm section. These instruments traditionally are made from used oil drums although some tuners now use new ones or even specially made ones. The steelpan capabilities far exceed the realms of Caribbean music and Carnival. It is capable of playing jazz, pop, classical, reggae, hip hop you name it the Steelpan can play it, People from John lennon in the early 80's to 50 Cent in 2003 are always using the unique sounds of the steelpan in their music. Steelpan music is infectious and uninhibiting. It makes people want to dance and move around.The Steelpan movement exploded at the end of world war two when the abundance of oil drums left behind by american army bases were put to good use. Steelpan music in the U.K began with a visit to London in 1951 by T.A.S.P.O (trinidad all steel percussion orchestra) to celebrate the Festival of Britain. Steelpan is now a part of british culture.Carnivals with live steelband music are sprouting up all over America and Europe. One of the main highlights of The Notting Hill Carnival is the steel band panorama competition, held each year on the saturday of the carnival weekend.

_________________________________________________________________________

"1981 T- Shirt Design"

front

back

_________________________________________________________________________

Our Panorama History

Can you help fill in any of the blanks? send us an e-mail - mangrovesteelband@hotmail.com

Year --------------- Tune --------------------------------- Arranger ----------------------------- Position Acheived
1981 --------------- The Unknown Band ------------- Philmore "Boots" Davidson ------- 1st Place (Joint)
1982 --------------- Soca Baptist -----------------------Philmore "Boots" Davidson ------- ??? Place
1983 --------------- Rebbeca/50 Years of Steel --- Desmond Bowen --------------------- 3rd Place
1984 --------------- She/Lucy ---------------------------- Michael”Bubbles”Olivier------------ 3rd Place
1985 --------------- Me eh Fighting -------------------- Michael”Bubbles”Olivier------------ 2nd Place
1986 --------------- Ah Want It Back ------------------- Michael”Bubbles”Olivier------------- 1st Place
1987 --------------- Mouseman (peter drunk again) ------- Raymond Joseph -------------------- 7th Place
1988 --------------- My Band ---------------------------- Rudy”TwoLeft”Smith------------------ 3rd Place
1989 --------------- Mash it Up ------------------------- Rudy”TwoLeft”Smith ------------------ 2nd Place
1990 --------------- No No We aint going Home -- Rudy”TwoLeft”Smith ------------------ 1st Place
1991 --------------- Fire ---------------------------------- Rudy”TwoLeft”Smith ------------------ 2nd Place

1992 --------------- One For The Road -------------- Rudy”TwoLeft”Smith ------------------ 2nd Place
1993 --------------- Mystery band --------------------- Rudy”TwoLeft”Smith ------------------ 3rd Place
1994 --------------- Earthquake ------------------------ Robert”Clarkie”Clarke --------------- 6th Place
1995 --------------- 4 Lara 4 ------------- Wade Austin / Robert'Clarkie" Clarke ---------- 4th Place
1996 --------------- Bounce ------------------------------ Robert'Clarkie" Clarke -------------- 3rd Place
1997 --------------- One For The Savanna ---------- Robert”Clarkie”Clarke --------------- 7th Place
1998 --------------- Behave Yourself ------------------ Robert”Clarkie”Clarke --------------- 4th Place
1999 --------------- Toco Band ------------------------- Robert”Clarkie”Clarke --------------- 2nd Place
2000 --------------- Picture On My Wall ------------- Len”Boogsie”Sharpe ------------------ 1st Place
2001 --------------- Stranger --------------------------- Len”Boogsie”Sharpe ------------------ 2nd Place
2002 --------------- Ben Lion --------------------------- Len”Boogsie”Sharpe------------------ 1st Place (Joint)
2003 --------------- Music In We Blood ------------- Len”Boogsie”Sharpe -------------------1st Place

2004 --------------- War 2004 --------------------------- Kyron Akal ---------------------------------1st Place

2005 --------------- From Beyond---------------------- Kyron Akal ---------------------------------7th Place

2006 --------------- Soca Warriors--------------------- Kyron Akal ---------------------------------7th Place

2007 --------------- Sharing Licks------------------- Len”Boogsie”Sharpe ---------------------3rd Place