Story By Grace Walker

On Saturday May 15,  during the membership drive of radio station WPFW 89.3 fm,  Mr. Von Martin, host of the program Caribbeana,  paid a glowing tribute to the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Washington, DC (TTADC) for its virtual Mother's Day Concert streamed on Sunday, May 9, 2021, giving it due recognition and accolades for a job well done.

These remarks are merely to echo the spotlight on the fantastic talent and mastery of steel pan music, here in the DMV.

The concert started with Dr. Lennard Jack Jr. playing "Misty", a classic ballad from yesteryear and a melodious rendition of "Dingolay" by The Mighty Shadow.  He was followed by Ms. Khandeya Sheppard who started off with a soothing rendition of "The Prayer".  Of course, Baltimore's representative, Mr. Lenny Rogers added his harmonious arrangement of the mother's day anthem, "Mother" along with familiar songs, including George Benson's "This Masquerade" that thrilled the online audience. Ms. Josanne Francis and Quartet turned up the heat with a perfect rendition in their performance of Stevie Wonder's "Master Blaster".  The Steel Pan, the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago was well represented in the concert, and the players did a fine job of showcasing this majestic instrument.  This, our music, our proud heritage, our 21st century brainchild instrument is a harmony of rich culture spreading to the world one pannist to global proportions, one note at a time!

The Eclipse International Band closed out the show in fine style, entertaining the audience with a variety of music that crossed every popular genre in style and song.

If nothing else, during the ravages of the Covid-19 lockdown, the communities we all share so fondly were treated to the highest standard and calibre of steelpan music by talented musicians coming from the United States Capitol, Washington DC and its surroundings, known as the DMV (DC-Maryland-Virginia).

Kudos also to Hostess, Ms. Abby Charles, co-host, Mr. Kenny Phillips of WACK 90.1fm (Trinidad) and our resourceful and talented media engineer, Mr. Gregory Smith of Greg Jamz Music who was responsible for streaming and AV production of the entire show.

Please continue to donate and support the artistes at:

 TTADC.org/donate

We invite you to watch the video here VIEW CONCERT

Submitted by Grace Walker who provided social media support for the advertisement of the show (instagram @servicesatyourrequest).