The acronym Panazz Players (Pan and Jazz) was coined by Barry Bartholomew and Yohan Popwell in 1993. It was an integral part of their mission to form a self-sufficient steel ensemble. Initially, they participated in the Pan Ramajay steelband competition, a brainchild of the late Amin Mohammed and Exodus Steel Orchestra. The group was extremely successful and dominated the event for several years.

Apart from astute panmanship, dexterity and suave arrangements, the players always enjoyed themselves while performing. They loved to ‘get on’ and this endeared them to their many patrons. Panazz successfully released four albums, toured extensively and aggressively merchandised their artefacts along the way. After twelve years, they eventually disbanded in 2005 when Bartholomew gave up music for the culinary arts to become a very successful chef.

Popwell has now collaborated with Deryck Nurse to form a new ensemble, known as Pantastic Players®. The band plans to develop a repertoire and style similar to its predecessor. Pantastic Players are Yohan Popwell, double seconds, musical director/arranger; Kinda Natasha John, double guitar; Sheldon Peters, Deslie Paul, tenors; Samantha St. Clair, Natoya Peters, cellos; Renaldo Taylor, Danielle Mulrain, six bass; Francis Walters, drums and Kenneth Clark, percussion. Deryck Nurse is the other musical director/arranger.

Nurse and Popwell asked me to produce their first CD. I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to showcase it on the Sanch catalogue and to use my networking clout to help them to achieve their objectives. The album, entitled Livin’ de Music, will be launched with two live concerts on Friday 06 and Saturday 07 November at the Learning Resource Centre, UWI St. Augustine. Recorded at Queen’s Hall in 24-bit HDCD® format, the repertoire includes one Popwell original and twelve other effervescent arrangements in the Latin, Bossa Nova, Calypso, R&B and Popular genres.

Advance tickets only are available for each night, at a unit cost of TT$120.00. The CD will be launched at the concert and sold for TT$100.00. However, a special of TT$80.00 will be afforded for delivery of autographed CDs at the venue, when you purchase tickets. Cheques are to be made payable to Pantastic Players®. See you there.

Simeon L. Sandiford
Executive Producer of The Rainmakers