Steel Band Music For Your Event

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Steel drums bands are a popular way for you to bring a lively ethnic flavor to a party, reception or soiree.   Now with PEC you can choose the steel band that will suit your needs, budget and the size of venue.    This happy music can be great for dancing, wonderful for listening and fun to watch as the musicians bring the sound of the Caribbean to life in a colorful way.    With the sound of Calypso music floating through the air or perhaps some popular tunes done in only the way a steel band can render them, you will feel like you’re in the islands with a festival of sensations for the eyes and ears.

Featuring steel pan drums as the lead instrument, the music has a joyful "carnival" sound, supported by the other instruments in the band. The variety of sounds in the band allows the group to always sound fresh, from tune to tune and set to set. In addition to the vast repertoire of traditional and contemporary Caribbean music, the band also plays some familiar pop tunes. And if your event is more "laid back" or calls for a dinner or cocktail set, it's no problem. And of course the band plays many light, mellow Caribbean tunes as well. For special holiday parties, the band also plays an extensive repertoire of seasonal favorites arranged especially for this unique instrumentation.

The most popular Steel Bands in the Northwest!

Listen To Bakra Bata!

The six member Bakra Bata Steel Drums Band began providing entertainment services in the Seattle area in 1984, under the leadership of Michael Shantz. They have created a highly original and distinctly American style entertainment that draws primarily from the root traditions of trans-Atlantic cultures as they have developed in Caribbean music. The principal instruments featured are the steel drums (also known as "steel pan drums"), played in combination with a fascinating variety of other Caribbean musical instruments. The unusual instrumentation is a visual and aural delight for audiences, and the repertoire, rich with original material emphasizing rhythmic modes and dance beats, creates an upbeat joyous ambience.

Bakra Bata has appeared at theaters, universities, children's events, and over 200 art fairs and indoor and outdoor festivals across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. Attendance at these events has ranged from 10,000 to over a million. Wherever they play, there is a spontaneous connection with the audience that creates an exiting atmosphere perfectly suited to high density indoor and outdoor events.

The group has a long association with professional dancers, and is thus able to present full or abbreviated entertainment programs of Caribbean music, theater, masquerade, and dance utilizing up to six dancers. The dance repertoire consists of traditional and contemporary works and, of special relevance to open air events, processional pieces featuring colorful costumes, beautiful masks, steel drums, and other enchanting instruments. With such an extensive repertoire, event organizers can select different combinations of programs to suit their specific entertainment needs.

Listen To The Toucans

The Toucans have been creating a fine scene in Seattle for over 10 years. The raw energy of steel drums and the group's impeccable stylistic sensibilities join to create an experience that's second to none!

If there's steel drum fun to be had, it's the Toucans who will be having it. If there's potato salad to be eaten, it's the Toucans who will be eating it. And if there's other things, well, you know.

The Toucans Steel Drum Band has been thrilling audiences throughout the Pacific Northwest for over twelve years. This dynamic 4-piece group features all-acoustic Steel Drums and a drum set, and plays Caribbean calypso music, Jamaican reggae, and popular tunes, standards and favorites as well.

Calypso Blue

Calypso Blue normally consists of six musicians: two sets of steel drums (one doubling on percussion), flute (and sax), keyboard, bass, and drums. Depending on such variables as budget, room size, and type of event, however, the band can be whittled down to a quintet, omitting either the flute/sax/keyboard or second steel drum player (for shorter engagements, both can be omitted for a quartet). With steel drums as the lead instrument, the music retains its festive "carnival" sound, supported by the other instruments in the band. The variety of sounds in the band allow Calypso Blue to always sound fresh, from tune to tune and set to set. In addition to the vast repertoire of traditional and contemporary Caribbean music, the band also plays some familiar pop tunes. And if your event is more "laid back" or calls for a dinner or cocktail set, it's no problem. Calypso Blue plays many light, mellow Caribbean tunes as well. For special holiday parties, the band also plays an extensive repertoire of seasonal favorites arranged especially for this unique instrumentation.

Panduo was created in 1996 by the leaders of two of Seattle's most active steel drum groups in order to offer you the best in steel drum music at an affordable price. With high-quality pre-programmed accompaniment tracks combined with the excitement and sparkle of live steel drums, the music sounds full, classy, and fun at an affordable price.

Besides the low cost, there are other advantages to the format offered by Panduo:

• Only a small space (about 6' by 9' or so) is required for set-up, making it the perfect format for restaurants, in-home parties, or boat cruises.

• With a minimal amount of equipment and musical instruments, set-up is quick and clean, and portability is enhanced.

• With a small sound system and only two sets of steel drums, the volume is controllable over a wide range. For small rooms, Panduo can play softer than larger bands, while still having the ability to fill a larger room with sound if necessary.

  For information about what Panduo needs from you in order to perform at your event, click HERE.

The repertoire of Panduo offers much variety and flexibility. Calypso and Soca, the music styles most commonly associated with steel drums, is more than adequately covered in the book, with decades-old standards like "Yellowbird" and "Jamaican Farewell." Panduo keeps current, also, and includes in their repertoire more contemporary songs by the likes of Trinidad calypsonian Lord Kitchener, as well as Reggae standards from the likes of Bob Marley. In addition to the danceable Caribbean styles, Panduo also plays many relaxed Latin jazz and pop tunes, a necessary element for background music jobs like poolside parties, cocktail receptions, and dinners. The group even includes several seasonal favorites in their repertoire, making them perfect for private or company holiday parties.

Rhythmical Steel Drum Band from La Center, Washington is also known as the Martin Family. Each member of the band is a family member. The Martin Children starting as young as age 4 started playing the piano. Rhythmical Steel received its start from Ellie Mannette, who has been a family friend since 1984. He was originally from the Island of Trinidad, located in the Caribbean. He is known as the inventor of the modern day steel drum instruments.

Rhythmical Steel has been playing together as a musical group since "1985"! Over the years, Rhythmical Steel has performed at many family oriented festivals, county fairs, weddings, and school assemblies all throughout the beautiful Northwest! Some of those performances include such events as the Portland Rose Festival, The Starlight Parade, and Cinco de Mayo at Waterfront Park. They have also performed with the Oregon Symphony at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland Rose Festival Queen's Coronation, the Oregon Graduate Institute Of Science and Technology, George Fox University, Intel Corporation, Propeller Club Port of the Columbia River, and recently Spirit Mountain Casino to name a few!

Rhythmical Steel has been featured in countless newspaper articles, radio interviews, and has had major television coverage being in live interviews, and featured programs since 1987.

The Family band members are, the Double Seconds Player, and Mom: Sharon Martin, the Bass Player: Christopher Martin, the Lead Player: Sadie Martin Shapovalov, and the youngest, who is our Triple Guitar Player: Josie Martin Hubler.

Dennis Martin, the father, used to perform with the family steel band as a Triple Guitar Player. Dennis now spends his time hand crafting high quality Rhythmical Steel Drum Instruments, from brand new 55-gallon barrels. Dennis Martin studied steel drum construction under Ellie Mannette for years starting in 1984.

Rhythmical Steel Drum Band has the size and sound to fit your up coming event! They have the Full Sized Steel Band, A Trio Steel Drum Group, and Steel Drum Duo.

Farenheit Steel

Ken of Farenheit Steel provides steel drum entertainment as a solo performer and occasionally as an ensemble. He has played in numerous groups over the years including 'The Boston Steel Orchestra', 'Commandoes Steel band', 'The Aristocrats Steel band', 'West Indian Superstars', 'Caribbean All Stars', and 'Tropical Rainstorm of Seattle.' He has arranged music for three of the above-mentioned bands, as well as for smaller groups he's played in from time to time. At present, he is the senior performer at the Bahama Breeze Restaurant here in Seattle. In addition to playing there, he still performs many private events with his full sound, even as a solo artist.