Jamma founded the BSP in May 2003.The inspiration came from my son Jamani, as a soloist his performances would attract a lot of young children to the pan. In our neighbourhood there are a lot of children. Any time my children were practicing all the children would gravitate to our back garden wanting to play, after practice I allowed them to have a go, before long I had 17 kids in the garden all practicing. Being keen they would come to practice as they came from school. On week ends and school holidays they would be knocking from as early as 8.30a.m, wanting to take the pans out. Many of the parents were very keen on what was taking place, but it was not long before I got a letter from the council complaining about the noise. After that I stopped for a while. The youngsters were gutted.

Angela, my wife, encouraged me to continue for the children’s sake. So I started looking round for a studio to rent that gave me 24 hours access and proximity to our neighbourhood to afford players accessibility. I knew with this vibe it would create a real pan yard situation. A room at ‘The Multi Cultural Village’ was found just three minutes walking distance from our neighbourhood with recording studios,

After informing parents of the new venue for rehearsals we had our first practice session then I realised I needed a bigger room and a full set of pans. 
So I contacted Toussaint Clark and Yohan Poppewell to acquire some from Trinidad if possible. I was in luck; Toussaint had some beautiful pans made by Lincoln Noel and some that he made himself that sounded so good I took them. Yohan called and said he could get some pans made by Butch Kelman. We could not resist this offer so had the extra instruments shipped over. When I heard the instruments playing together for the first time I knew we had a unique sound.

Some of the older guys aged between16 to 22 were so dedicated that I empowered them to manage rehearsals and the studio. Rhion Weeks, the captain and some of the older boys showed dedication through this responsibility and were practicing scales, chords and songs in the early hours of the morning so I rented a bigger room and gave them gigs. Dudley Nesbitt also arranges for them and this allows them to work with a different arranger.

A lot of the band’s success is due to 98% of them being born in the Caribbean. The band has lots of siblings and parents are very keen to help. This help has led to the teaching of a younger group from as young as six. The school’s teaching is based on the roots of pan, members are taught its history so it is meaningful.  All genres of music, as well as showmanship and JAMMING are taught.  This has encouraged lots more people to get involved with a current membership of 35 full time members.

The BSP has enjoyed Radio and TV Coverage, recent performances include Symphony Hall, ICC Birmingham, BBC Radio West Midlands Easter Music Concert, the Daily Telegraph Holiday Show at the NEC, Birmingham Carnival and Channel Four Viv Richards documentary. BSP will be under some vigorous training, over the next few years in preparation for our appearance at the National Panorama competition

by Phillip 'Jamma' Stewart