PANAZZ :THE STORY is a movie about the life and times of Panazz Steelband Ensemble, a group that thrilled audiences around the caribbean and the world in the 1990's, making 5 beautiful CD recordings and leaving a significant musical mark in the history of recorded Steelpan music. Conceived by Harvard student Adam Bartholomew, and co-produced with his uncle Finbar 'Barry' Bartholomew, the manager of Panazz, the movie which started out as a College Film project has been remastered for Theatre and Television and is currently being premiered in Trinidad and will soon be presented here in the Washington DC Metropolitan area.
PANAZZ :THE STORY gives an intimate look at the Trinidadian jazz steelpan ensemble primarily from the perspectives of four of its key players, Barry Bartholomew (leader), Dane Gulston, Natasha Joseph, and Donell Thomas. The musical phenomenon began in the early 1990s when Barry Bartholomew and Yohan Popwell formed the ensemble initially to compete in Pan Ramajay, a competition that sought to highlight the improvisational skills of individual pannists in small ensembles. After winning the competition in four consecutive years, Panazz pulled out of the competitive arena to embark on their professional journey which saw them captivate international audiences with their electrifying performances in renowned venues spanning from Boston Symphony Hall to some of the finest concert halls in Japan. At the core of the film lies the groundbreaking music produced by Panazz for its five CDs. At the heart of Panazz itself was an immense love that bound the players as a collective unit. Together, they contributed to the elevation of Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument.
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View the links below to learn more about the movie and some comments from viewers who have already seen the movie:
OFFICIAL TRAILER BACKGROUND TOBAGO PROMO