Long Island Traditions
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Steel Sensation

Click on note to hear Steel Sensation
perform “Portrait of Trinidad.”

Steel Sensation: Trinidadian Steelband

 

Trinidadian steelband music dates to the 1930s, when American armed forces stationed in Trinidad imported oil to the base. The oil barrels were then converted to instruments. Since the early 1960s Trinidadians have lived on Long Island. Steel Sensation is a Trinidadian steelband founded in 1995 by Ian Japsi. The group's members range in age from 21 to 40 years old. Their repertoire includes calypsos, jazz melodies, bolero, and show tunes.

They play on family occasions and religious holidays. In this program Steel Sensation discuss the music and cultural history of Trinidad, and how steelbands overcame political obstacles in order to perform at traditional celebrations. A significant component of the program provides students with the opportunity to play a steeldrum. The fee includes an auditorium program and individual class presentations of 3 classes/day.