from humble beginnings...and out of the fire and into the pan goes Al...

Submitted by Al Kanovsky 3/28/13

The people of Trinidad utilized all sorts of things, brake drums, hub caps, etc. in order to make music and rhythm. The steel pan we know today. bright and shiny can trace its origins back to the late 40's when craftsmen cut off the tops of steel oil drums and created the "steel drum". Imagine the persistent hard work it took to make a finely tuned instrument out of what would have been turned to scrap. The steel drum has evolved into the modern instrument we now call Steel Pan. The master of the "pan" is Othello Molineaux. Mr. Molineaux entertained an audience of about 100 at the JAZZ in the Grove concert yesterday afternoon. Appearing with him were Felix Gomez(keyboard), Nicky Orta(bass) and Carlo(magnific)o Araya on drums. Othello has played with almost all of the well known JAZZ artists including Herbie Hancock and Dizzy Gillespie.  He is only one of a handful of "pan" players willing to face the challenge of JAZZ improvisation on the instrument. Othello is the recognized master. Pianists, guitarists, bassists can play multiple notes at one time. Horn players, only one. With dexterity a pan player may manage two. It is a wondrous thing to hear what Othello does on the instrument. The performance ran the gamut, swing to samba and all in between. From Ellington's "In A Mellow Tone" to a swinging "I'm Making Believe" and ending the concert with a really jumping "I Remember April". Othello had brought several of his CDs to sell. They "sold out" quickly to an enthusiastic listening audience. Jeannette Pina and her Dad were there along with my dance partner Grandma Pixie. We didn't dance though. I was tuckered out from too much "salsa" at BJB's the night before. There was a young man in the audience that I thought looked familiar. It turned out, as it often does nowadays, that I was mistaken. His name is David Fumero and he is a student/guitarist studying at Miami/Dade. One of his classes is JAZZ Appreciation and requires him making observations of live performances. He had not heard any of the musicians prior to today. 

When talking to Othello about the humble beginnings of steel pan it was interesting to note that although the instrument itself has changed, the mallet has stayed essentially the same.

I openly admit that I am not qualified to be a music, JAZZ or BLUES critic. I am a listener and fan. In listening to Felix Gomez on the keyboard it seemed to me that he and Silvano Monasterios had similar styles. I mentioned that to Nicky Orta, who has played with both of them. He said that both of them are great but he sees distinct differences in their style of play. It just goes to show you what little I really know!!!! Felix felt flattered by the thought.

The Miami JAZZ Co-op has another presentation at the Museum this evening with the young Gary Thomas and his band.     

 ~ ~ ~

Traveling to catch some of Florida's good music? Check out these places and rates!

 ~ ~ ~

Posted by Jazz & Blues Florida 

Please visit http://www.jazzbluesflorida.com/ to sign up to have 

Florida's jazz & blues news delivered to your inbox.

Or, just email me at Charlie@JazzBluesFlorida.com

And, if you like what you see here, HIT THAT FACEBOOK SHARE BUTTON below!

Thanks!