UK NATIONAL STEELBAND PANORAMA 2019 ROUNDUP - PHASE ONE STEELBAND

Aug 6

Aug 6 UK NATIONAL STEELBAND PANORAMA 2019 ROUNDUP - PHASE ONE STEELBAND

Victor Phillip founded Phase One Steel Band in 1978, originally it was under the name Broad Heath School Steel Band, but so many children from other schools wanted to join that the band had to change its name to something less exclusive; and so Phase One was born!

Based in Coventry, the band has performed at numerous prestigious events, such as Notting Hill Carnival and Caribbean Carnival Extravaganzas in Morecambe, Newcastle and Arundel. As well as taking part in all of the UK carnivals, the band performed before HM the Queen in 1985 and also at such fine venues as Symphony Hall, Fairfield Hall and The Wembley Conference Centre. Phase One is no stranger to television, they have made a number of TV appearances on shows such as Stop, Look & Listen, Emu’s World, Play for Today, Pebble Mill at One, The Holiday Programme, Songs of Praise, for Bishop Desmond Tutu, Children in Need, Style Challenge and Going Live.

Phase One has played at many festivals and competitions in their 30-year history. In the beginning, steel pan festivals were held in the Commonwealth Institute and then at Warwick University Arts Centre where steel bands from all over the UK used to meet and share music.

The band has also toured, visiting Germany, Hong Kong, Trinidad and Tobago, Spain-Barcelona, France-Paris, Italy- Lake Garda and Belgium. The band has now moved in a more educational direction. Many of the band members are full time steelpan tutors in schools in Coventry, Birmingham, Warwickshire, Leamington, Rugby and Nuneaton.

Phase One is a working band – consistently in demand, especially at peak times of the year (May – September). Phase One’s future plans is to record a new CD and to attend an international music festival. Phase One will be moving premises and consolidating all their activities under one roof. This will include their Training school, workshop and band practice room.

Phase One decided to enter the UK National Steelband Panorama competition in London in 1987 for the first time. It was a great achievement for Phase One to even participate, and to everyone’s great surprise Phase One won the competition outright. They returned to the UK National Steelband Panorama competition in Notting Hill in 2017 and hope to continue annually.

This year, Phase One Panorama band will be made up of fifty players.

Manager: Beverly Phillip

Arranger: Stephon and Riann Phillip

Captain: JJ Mattu

Tuner: Victor Phillip

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

Phase One 2018 UK National Steelband Panorama video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_vZ8oetieY

Phase One email address: phaseonesteelband@hotmail.co.uk

Website: http://www.phaseonesteelband.org.uk

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

The event is hosted by NHC/BAS, and will be held on the 24thAugust 2019 at the Emslie Horiman’s Pleasance Park, Kensal Road, London W10.