Salah Steelpan Academy Takes Toronto – Again!

Egbert Gaye

On the evening of Friday, July 30, it took 15 pulsating minutes of musical rapture for arranger Salah Wilson and his band of musicians at Salah Steelpan Academy to establish Canadian steelband supremacy.

And by the time they finished playing their two songs, I’m Coming Out and the appropriately named, First in the line, most of the thousands of spectators gathered for the Pan Alive Steelband Panorama competitions at Lamport Stadium in Toronto knew that the Montreal band had won… again, making it three years in a row.

The three-peat was especially savory for elementary and high school students in the band, many of whom have been practicing for more than three months, so much so that when they realized that the band was victorious, a few of the young girls just huddled in a corner of the massive stadium and cried, while other players high-fived and hugged and kissed each other.

Sadly, their elation was not shared by competition organizers nor some of the other competing bands, as was evident by the understated announcement of the results, and the lack of fanfare in the presenting of prizes.

Gracious in victory, Salah Wilson attributed his band’s success to the dedication and hard work of his players and was slightly amused by rumors that the Toronto bands, frustrated by their inability to dethrone Salah Steelpan Academy, are considering changing the entire slate of judges.

Appearing in position number ten, the Montreal band made up of about 36 players, was surrounded by heightened expectations because of their dominance of the competition in 2007 and 2008, winning last year by about 18 points.

After the Academy’s opening song, I’m Coming Out, in the Tune Of Choice category, the writing was on the walls of the stadium in midtown Toronto as pan lovers lapped up the bouncy rendition of the Diana Ross classic.

Then came the much anticipated panorama calypso presentation. This year, Salah chose Edwin Pouchet’s song, First in the Line, which helped Silver Stars beat back all comers in the Trinidad competition.

For his part, Salah presented a well-woven musical piece with intricate phrasings and colorful arrangements that easily put him over the top, despite strong competition from runners-up Afro Pan and New Dimension who tied for second.

Silouhettes placed fourth and Pan Fantasy was fifth.

Another highlight of the evening was the special guest appearance by Trinidad champion steelband, Silver Stars which wowed the crowd with about 40 minutes of beautiful music and a masterful display of playing skills.