Tam Bam Steel Orchestra Academy

Oct 19

Oct 19 Tam Bam Steel Orchestra Academy

Know the Past, Live the Present, Change the Future

Tam Bam was founded by Nadine McLeary in April 2019 and joined by Delphina “Panness” James and Mikhail Caga-Anan, whom she had met whilst playing in the UK’s most decorated steel band, Ebony Steelband Trust. Nadine had spent years observing how the pan community positively change lives, and wanted to bring those same qualities to her community where she witnessed many families struggling with a multitude of issues.

TBSOA is unique due to its ethos: “Know the Past, Change the Present”, which represents its dedication to looking at each student holistically. This means not only does it deliver quality steel pan and music theory tuition but TBSOA will also provide health and wellbeing support as and when it is needed and through teaching the history behind the birth and evolution of the steelpan. This approach will assist in the lives of their students on how they can deal with and overcome situations which they encounter, an important factor the people of Trinidad and Tobago accomplished which led to the birth of the Steelpan.

TBSOA was excited to announce their first beginners’ course, which began on the 30th October 2019 at UAE South Bank. To mark this occasion, TBSOA will be holding free steel pan workshops at Peckham Levels once a month where the public can enjoy exploring its sound, the different types of pans and playing together as a band. TBSOA’s first work shop took place at Peckham Levels on Saturday 28th September 2019, it was well attended by local people and others travelling from Liverpool, Queens Park and Ipswich to observe or to take part. TBSOA’s musical director, Miss Delphina “Panness” James, who has over twenty years’ experience as a professional musician and music educator, led back-to-back workshops which were engaging, informative and fun. There were people willing to wait for hours to have their turn at the workshop. This resulted in waiting lists and time-slots allocated for sessions.

Their workshop was then followed by a TBSOA performance, playing a repertoire of both original scores and renditions of popular music, all arranged and composed by Delphina. Playing on the Congas was TBSOA’s guest performer, Carl Richards, who has over 20yrs experience as a professional steelpan musician. The evening closed with TBSOA’s lady on the decks, DJ B. Eazi, who played an eclectic mix of soca and Afro beats whilst, a celebratory cake was shared amongst friends, family and the audience.