Written by: Sandra L Blood
All great things come to an end, and as the World Steelpan Month smoothed-off its fourth-to-last day, August 27, the PanMotion international virtual concert series, came to an end showcasing its last performer, music arranger, composer and producer, Natasha Joseph, from 8 p.m.
Having presented from her homeland Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), Joseph opened by introducing herself, paying recognition to the host of the show and introducing her accompanying musicians – jazz artistes, ethnomusicologist, Chantal Esdelle on keyboard, Panorama arranger, Douglas “Dougie” Redon on Bass Guitar and jazz drummer, Von Best.
Having done justice cool-jazz style to nine renditions during their all-music, no-talk show, the audience tasted Here and Now by Andre Tanker; A Felicidade, Jobim; Tadow, FKJ and Masego; Jane, Mighty Sparrow; Fancy Sailor, Clive Zanda; Toast, Koffee; No tomorrow, Kerwin Dubois and Adana Roberts; Spain, Chick Corea; and Kaiso Kaiso, Chantal Esdelle.
The well-balanced, clean and soothing concert also afforded each musician to show off their skills, individually, at intervals, with an air of satisfaction given by the phiz of animated, entertaining, Joseph, whose eventual unexpected conclusion to her session stilly faded into darkness.
Reality, in time, hit home that the concert had actually ended when the tune, Don’t Worry About a Thing by Bob Marley, brought in a swaying, smiling, but mixed-emotional host of the concert series, Nevin Roach.
As uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, being CEO and Founder of his entertainment agency, PanoGrama Entertainment, he delivered the miserable news.
Roach thanked all who have been locked on to, and supported the PanMotion concerts in any way; introduced himself then let the world know that Joseph’s performance was the series’ wrap.
He extended special thanks in order of the bp Renegades Steel Orchestra; President of Pan Trinbago; Mrs. Beverley Ramsey-Moore; Lauren Pierre and the entire crew; Republic Bank Exodus Steelband; yours truly and the Guardian newspaper; Earl La Pierre, Sons of Steel I See You; Ronika JD Starboy; all his friends, and those who have been sharing the posters and the live.
Roach continued, “As we continue to experience these unprecedented times, let’s close our PanMotion with more positive vibes; don’t worry about a thing, because every little thing is gonna be alright,” at which time, he gave a lagniappe of sorts seeing him reach for his tenor pan where he pulled some sweet notes to the refrain of the Bob Marley tune.
The PanoGrama Entertainment advises that information on their 2021 events will be broadcasted soon, acknowledges Steel Pan Month, and urges, to “continue spreading the sweet sounds of pan.” About Natasha Joseph
Natasha Joseph has been an ambassador for the Steelpan representing Trinidad and Tobago in the USA, London, Japan and, Tobago, Barbados, St Lucia and Grenada Jazz festivals.
A self-taught musician, she placed second in the 1993 Pan Ramajay soloist Skills Competition moving on to join the Panazz Players where she toured extensively with the group.
A self-taught musician, Joseph shared the stage with many local and international Jazz artistes, and is currently a member of Elan Parle. In June 2012, she received her diploma in Recording Engineering and Production from The Audio Institute of America.
Not only has she been a drill master for the MHTL Starlift in 2017, but also for Phase II Pan Groove working for ten years with its director and musical arranger, pan aficionado, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, bringing the steel orchestra to National Panorama victory in 2013 and ‘14, and second in 2015.
Joseph is currently, the arranger for the Platinum Steel Orchestra – an All-Female single-pan band.
In 2015, she founded the improvisational-approach master class, Music Jym, and is currently in her final year at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, pursuing a Bachelor of Music Degree.
Joseph is also a Music Instructor assigned to the Ministry of Education’s Multicultural Music Program Unit (MMPU). Natasha Joseph IG: Natasha Joseph @dpanwoman