Contrast Steel Band celebrates their 50th Anniversary!

Sep 2

Sep 2 Contrast Steel Band celebrates their 50th Anniversary!

In Leicester 1974, a man named George Fisher used £265 to buy a set of steel pans, he enlisted a music tutor named Cyprian Jean-Jacques and Contrast Steel Band was born. Now, in 2024, Contrast are celebrating their 50-year anniversary.

Cyprian Jean-Jacques, also known as ‘Cy’, ‘Mr. Jacques’ and ‘Mr. Contrast’, began to teach steel pan in schools across Leicester and Leicestershire. He was also the manager and musical director for Contrast Steel Band, a position he upheld until he emigrated back to St. Kitts and Nevis in 2002. Under the management of Mr. Jacques, Contrast played a major role in the development of steel pan arts within the city of Leicester and have many achievements to celebrate, such as being the first band to perform in the Rotterdam Carnival ‘Battle of the Drums’ twice, and performing at the European Pan Festival in La Villette, Paris.

Cyprian Jean-Jacques, also known as *‘Cy’, ‘Mr. Jacques’* and ‘*Mr. Contrast’* playing with Contrast

The management of the band was then handed over to Patricia Munroe in 2002, and Cyprian Jean-Jacques continued to teach the instrument at home in St. Kitts and Nevis until his passing in 2010 (R.I.E.P). The band has continued to thrive under the leadership of current band manager Pat Munroe and Contrast have many achievements to be proud of.

2020 saw the world at a standstill; every band across the country found themselves unable to practice together. Contrast took matters into their own hands and continued their work from home. The band carried out practice virtually and began a series of music videos filmed separately and joined together, aiming to show that lockdown wouldn’t stop us! These videos gained popularity and led to BBC News coverage.

Similarly, the BBC were also interested when Contrast held the very first 24-hour Pan-A-Thon in March this year. The aim of the fundraising event was to raise awareness and funding for the band to diversify and provide classes and workshops in the community with an aim to give back to the city that has supported the band for so many years. The live-streamed Pan-A-Thon in which the band played non-stop for 24-hours, was a great success and televised coverage of the event on BBC News drew in more supporters and was a fantastic aid in helping the band to achieve their goals.

More recently, Contrast officially became a Community Interest Company (CIC); meaning they are now a non-profit community company aimed at increasing the accessibility of steel-pan for the wider community, enriching lives through music education and cultural experiences; and providing classes and workshops. This new chapter for the band marks the beginning of a new journey for Contrast; and along with the band turning 50 in October, is definitely cause for celebration.

Contrast will be celebrating their 50th anniversary with an event held in Leicester this October. Specifically, at the very place Contrast was born in 1974. The Highfields Community Centre was the birth place of Contrast and they will be returning on Saturday 19th October 2024 for an evening of good food, drinks and music. The band will be joined by special guests, speakers and past members of the band as they reminisce on their colourful history and look forward to the future.