Horns will meet steel on July 11 when Arturo Tappin shares the stage with Earl Brooks Jr to kick off a weekend of Crop Over steelpan.
The event, slated for Ilaro Court, will feature the ace local saxophonist and Trini pannist Brooks, followed by Jonathan Scales and his group Fourchestra, along with three top local calypsonians backed by a steelband.
Describing the show as a world-class event, National Cultural Foundation special projects officer Karen Pestaina told the media on Thursday that the set between Tappin and Brooks would be a veritable musical conversation, while the other fusions would be like the icing on the cake of Pan Fusion.
Sponsored for the fourth year by FirstCitizens Bank, the annual Pan Fusion runs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and will also feature the Royal Barbados Police Force Band being fused with Pan Xtreme in a set dubbed Forces Of Steel.
The event will also feature local group Banks Soundtech, followed by the Pantasy Afterparty with Caribbean Kinetic and Grynner, Lil Rick and ten-time monarch Red Plastic Bag.
“It was only when FirstCitizens came on board four years ago that we were able to take pan and show you a paid event, and people were willing to come and hear this quality of music and pay for it. Previously, our events would have been free, but we see more people coming on board,” Pestaina said.
The following day, July 12, will feature pan on a cruise from Bridgetown to Speightstown, while Pan Pun De Sand will be the following day at Brandons Beach. (RJ)
