UK NATIONAL STEELBAND PANORAMA 2019 ROUNDUP - MANGROVE STEELBAND

Aug 19

Aug 19 UK NATIONAL STEELBAND PANORAMA 2019 ROUNDUP - MANGROVE STEELBAND

The Mangrove Steelband is one of the most prominent in Europe. Formed in 1980 from a ‘Pan Round Neck’ group of the traditional type they have established themselves as a fully-fledged modern orchestra. More than just a musical entity, Mangrove Steelband is steeped in a rich and significant social and political history.

‘The Mangrove’ name derived itself from a Caribbean Restaurant and community association based on All Saints Road, both of which became national symbols of resistance to police oppression and racial injustice following ‘The Mangrove 9’. The Mangrove Entities attracted grassroots activists, the dis-enfranchised Caribbean migrants, left-wing radicals and talented individuals, eager to have a platform to create and exhibit the traditional carnival arts of steel pan and mas. This created a truly inclusive policy, with the band consistently attracting established players and those new to the instrument of all ages, ethnic and socio- economic backgrounds. This core principle is as relevant today as it was initially, with both the core ‘stageside’ band and the larger ‘panorama’ band consisting of diverse members.

With an enormous following of supporters they are one of the largest/most travelled and most professional Steelbands in Britain. 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.

Mangrove Steelband have been recognized for their artistic excellence by being booked for tours all over the world including Tanzania, Malawi, Romania, Holland, Spain, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Trinidad, Slovakia, Israel/Palestine, Dubai, Poland, Bulgaria. We have also played at prestigious venues such as The Royal Festival Hall, The Royal Albert Hall and Buckingham Palace promoting the band and the instrument to new and existing audiences.

The highest accolade for the musical capabilities of a Steel band is the annual Panorama competition, taking place the day before Carnival Sunday. This sees the band swell up to 80+ members, who give up their summer to rehearse and perform an original 10 minute composition. The experience takes those of varying abilities and learning styles and puts them into a large orchestra, their teamwork, active listening and of course musical skills. This piece is then judged alongside several other bands and a winner is crowned. This is a competition at which the band has experienced an immense amount of success.

The UK National Steelband Panorama competition has been running for 41 years in 2019 and Mangrove have won this prestigious competition an impressive:

Nine times (1981,1986,1990, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2011, 2018).

Runners- Up ten times (1985,1989,1991,1992, 1999, 2001, 2009,2010,2012,2016).

They have also achieved third place ten times in the national competition (1983,1984,1988,1993,1996,2007,2013,2014,2015,2017).

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.

Mangrove, The People’s Choice!

This year, Mangrove Panorama band will be made up of one hundred and ten players.

Manager: Matthew Philip

Arranger: Andre White

Captain: Andrew Facey

Tuner: Augustus ‘Gus’ Peters

Tune of Choice: Savannah Grass - by KES and and Jelani ‘Pops’ Shaw

View Mangrove 2018 UK National Steelband Panorama winning performance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y7q841u0Tc

Contact Mangrove Steel Orchestra: https://mangrovesteelband.wordpress.com/book-the-band/

Website:https://mangrovesteelband.wordpress.com

There are six steelbands vying for the title this year, Mangrove – the reigning champions, Ebony, Metronomes, CSO, Pan Nation and Phase One.