Destination: Steelpan Music
Caribbean and New Orleans
Glad you're here for a replay of this musical and cultural show. Listen in to learn about the history of steel pan and how music in the Caribbean and in New Orleans have connections that bind us through history, people and places.
Here are photos from the Steelpan In The Courtyard event.
Here's a transcript of the show:
Hello, hello—and welcome to the show. I’m Annita, and today, we’re taking a journey through rhythm, rebellion, resourcefulness and creation. This is the story of the steel pan—the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century.
And where did it all begin? The twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, where creativity and resistance collided to create a sound that now resonates across the world.
Let’s rewind to the early 20th century, when Trinidad was under British colonial rule. African drumming—deeply rooted in spiritual and cultural traditions—was seen as threatening. Colonial powers banned it, hoping to suppress community gatherings and rebellion. But as history often shows, you can’t silence the beat forever.
Out of necessity, the people of Trinidad turned to everyday objects to reclaim rhythm. Bamboo tubes, biscuit tins, garbage can lids… whatever they could find. Then came the oil drum—a symbol of the island’s industrial age that would become the backbone of a new musical revolution.
Through trial and error, steel workers, musicians, and street performers learned to shape and tune the drums into instruments. They pounded the metal, heated it with fire, and painstakingly created concave surfaces that could carry multiple notes.
It wasn’t just about the sound. The steel pan became a form of cultural expression—and defiance. It told colonial powers: We’re still here. We will be heard.
By the 1940s and 50s, steel bands were forming in communities across Trinidad. Groups like the Desperadoes, Renegades, and All Stars—names as bold as their sound. And each band wasn’t just music—it was identity, family, and pride.
Today, the steel pan is more than an instrument—it’s Trinidad and Tobago’s national treasure. Every year, during Carnival, thousands gather for Panorama, the world’s largest steel band competition. Bands spend months preparing, fine-tuning not just instruments, but complex musical arrangements that rival symphonies.
In just a few generations, the steel pan went from outlawed street music to concert halls, universities, and world stages. It’s a testament to Trinidad’s enduring spirit—transforming struggle into celebration.
And when we come back, we’ll explore how this proud island sound didn’t stay put. Steel pan music has spread far beyond Trinidad—across the Caribbean, and around the globe. And it’s found its way into jazz, classical, pop, reggae, and more.
Welcome back to Steel & Soul. In our first segment, we traced the steel pan’s rise from the streets of Port of Spain to becoming Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument.
But steel pan didn’t stay home. It traveled. Across the Caribbean. Across oceans. Across musical genres.
From Barbados to St. Lucia, Grenada, Antigua, and St. Vincent, steel pan music became part of island life. Each country added its own flavor—some integrating it into Carnival, others teaching it in schools, and many forming youth steel bands to pass down the tradition.
Why did it spread so quickly? Because it speaks to the Caribbean soul—joyful, resilient, and unbreakable. And then… the world took notice. Today, you’ll find steel pan orchestras in London, New York, Toronto, Tokyo, and even Sweden.
Show more...