Some of the students who started Busta Steel Orchestra
Youngest Junior Panorama Players
After placing 2nd at the Junior Panorama Competition
Playing at an event
Performing in Martinique
In Frankfurt, Germany
note, eventually results in a work of art. Hats off to Herman “Guppy” Brown, the world’s best tuner, who sadly passed away December 2015. He was the best! Guy reminisces about some of the people who have influenced his love for the steel pan, namely St. Lucian Gregory “Shinning” Emmanuel manager of Diamond Steel Orchestra, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and Ray Holman, to name a few. Proudly, Guy says he plays all the different pieces of instruments in his band - double tenor, single tenor, cello, double second, double guitar, low bass, tenor bass and even the drums - but his favourite is the double tenor. He was also proud to share that Busta Emerald travels every year to the island of Martinique to participate in their cultural activities. They have also travelled to the Caribbean islands of Grenada, Trinidad and Antigua as visiting members of specific bands on those
islands, during the islands carnival celebrations. According to Guy, the future of pan in St. Lucia looks bright. Young people are involved on a large scale and this bodes well for the future of the art form. The industry, though, is fraught with challenges which are mainly financial. Due to the economic down-turn, hotels no longer employ as many bands like they did in the past, which served as a source of income for the bands. With the cost of participating in panorama being so high - between $25,000 to $30,000 - bands are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain themselves financially. But the art form continues because St. Lucians love steel band music and they are determined to not let it die. Will Guy and his band really not participate in panorama this year, we ask? No, he won’t budge! During this year’s panorama competition, 185
Guy and his Busta Emerald band will be sitting in the pavilion, calmly enjoying the sweet sounds of Pantime Steel Orchestra, panorama champions for the past three years, led by Trinidadian arranger, Amrit Samaroo. The melodious sounds of all the other steel bands vying for the coveted first place will be equally exhilarating, he’s certain. But this is Guy’s well-deserved year to relax, while the music on stage rejuvenates, stirring his imagination as he mentally preps for next year’s competition.