Steel Drum Christmas Music

Hello Music Friends,

Seasons greetings to all of you. May you enjoy continued health and happiness.

Be Blessed and Keep Well,

Minsky

Lights, camera, steel drum!

Hello Music Friends,

Here is a recently created performance video. It is R. Kelly's " Happy People". I played it at a really fun wedding in South Carolina.

I mentioned that I've been brushing up on video editing. I've learned to split the audio track and sync it with the video. Have a look.
Special thanks to Lisa L. for the camera work.

Best,
Minsky

And that was just the warm up!

Hello Music Friends,

Today I found myself back at the YMCA in Charlotte, NC. I went there with the intentions of soaking in the hot tub ( without doing an actual work out) but to my dismay the hot tub was closed for maintainance. I knew that physical fitness was important to the body and that being in shape would help in coping with the irregular schedules of my day job and gigging. With that being said, I meandered into the step aerobics class. What a shock I experienced. The modernized step routine is quite different to the step routine of yester-year. When they went left, I went right. When they went right I went left. I flailed around wildly with no coordination. I was exhausted just from trying to keep up with the new moves. It was such an awful sight that I had to laugh at myself. Ten minutes laters the fitness instructor shouted "Ok lets being our routine". WHHHHHAAatttt?????!!!!!!!!! I should've stuck to the spin class!

Best,
Minsky

Roll em'

Hello Music Friends,

Over the past several months I've delved into creating photo montages and video editing. I've really taken a liking to both. Prior to being involved in music, I expressed my self visually through drawings and paintings. It felt quite natural to have branched off into photography and videography.
I like the ease of use on Windows Movie Maker. I know that there are many sophisticated programs on the market, however WMM just flows so easily for me and it has been my introduction to effects, splits, transitions, fades and other video tricks. My newest creation was filmed in Angouleme, France and features concert footage of Trinidad and Tobago based steel orchestra Bp Renegades in action. Keep in mind that I filmed this with a simple point and shoot Canon sd 750 digital camera.

Please click on the arrow to watch the video.


Best,
Minsky

C'est Magnifique-BP Renegades French Tour 09

Hello Music Friends,

I had the pleasure of witnessing a standing ovation and triple encore afforded to Trinidad based steel orchestra BP Renegades after they delighted concert goers in the French city of Angouleme. The Renegades repertoire consisted of Baroque pieces by Schubert and Bach as well as reggae songs by Bob Marley,(The crowd sang the chorus of " No Woman no Cry" as the musicians played) timeless Kitchener calypsos and "Groovey Soca" hits by Destra and Krosfyah amongst others. Row G seat 3 gave me an upclose and personal view of the band. I was so proud of the bands performance and the hospitable reception they got from the French audience. That night was a proud moment for Trinidad and for the steel band art form.

Best,
Minsky

Par le vous Francais?

Hello Music Friends,

I am thrilled about going to see my favorite steel band play. They are the Renegades Steel Orchestra from Trinidad and Tobago. My connection with the Renegades is that their tuner, the legendary Bertran Kellman made my very first steel drum. Since then, I've followed the band's progress and analyzed the music of their resident arranger Jit Samaroo. To add to the excitement, I'm traveling to Angouleme, France to see and hear the concert. This is a first time visit. I'm really excited about this trip and I'll share photos and another blog when I return.

Bon Voyage and Keep Well,
Minsky

South for the Winter

Gigmasters - Booking Steel Drummer Online Since 1997

Hi Music Friends,

I'm happy to announce that I've expanded operations to Florida as well. Be sure to contact me on www.gigmasters.com as I'm taking my trademark sound, dependability and top shelf customer service to sunny Florida.Find me under " Soloist" in the Florida steel drummer section. See you in the sun!

Best,
Minsky
www.hearsteeldrumsplay.com

My car goes 200mph

Hi Music Friends,

I just returned from my first NASCAR race. As a resident of Charlotte NC, one of the NASCAR circuit cities, I didn't have to travel too far to to have felt the rush of a car that zipped by at 200mph! I had tickets to the Coors Light Party Deck section. Believe you me, whatever food and drink they served, I ate it! I must say that I ate a sample platter from the Bank Of America tent (its good to know people), which tasted way better than what Coors had offered. Altogether, the 2hrs that I stayed there was enough for me. I had never really been a NASCAR fan but it was good to have experienced the event.

Minsky

I-95 to Florida is the most boring stretch of road to drive

SO thats how this thing works

Bald Head Golf Cart

Hello Music Friends

This saturday I'll be playing steel drums at a destination that is new to me. It is Bald Head Island, which is located off the North Carolina coast. Bald Head Island is accessible only by ferry and once you get there, the only modes of transpotation are golf carts and tram. I'm excited and interested to see how things go. This should be quite and adventure. I'll keep you informed.

Minsky

Can you read me now?

Hello Music Friends,

I was so excitied to try out the " Wi-Fi" feature aboard the airplane that I flew on. Unfortunately my computer's battery was too low and it wouldn't have been worth paying the fee to get 7minutes of airborne internet. Bummer...... nonetheless, I'm aware of the airline and the route on which I can try that service, and I'll be better prepared for my next trip.

Minsky

Random Thought: American Airlines to Trinidad

Hello Music Friends,

This past weekend found me in Dallas/Ft Worth Airport-The hub airport of the mighty Americn Airlines. As I walked around the airport I remembered my numerous travels to my homeland of Trinidad aboard American Airlines. I traveled JFK to POS and stopped in Barbados. I had often made those trips during the summers of my adolescent years. I always marveled at flight and for a period of time wanted to become a pilot. When airborned, my eyes had always peered out the windows at the clouds and the blue sea below.

I looked at the different body styles of the parked aircraft, and I remembered that I flew on a DC-10, a tri-engined widebody designated for the JFK-POS route. My visits to Trinidad were pleasant ones and the men and women of American Airlines provided the means to have gotten there. 15 years later American Airlines had taken me to Oklahoma City, where I had created new memories with my lovely daughter.

Minsky

Finely Tuned Steel Drum

Hello Music Friends

I'm really excited about playing my newly tuned drum. It is currently being worked on by Rob Davis of Mannette Steel Drums in Morgantown W.V.
Mannette Steel Drums is headed by legenedary steel drum pioneer Ellie Mannette, who has created some of the world's finest instruments

Five years ago Rob did the initial and only tuning of my drum. Yes, its been five years since the instrument was tuned but still has maintained it's lovely tone.

It was a specialty order - A "Professional Series" Bore lead pan. One of the few Bore leads built by Mannette Steel, that resulted in a drum that was asthetically pleasing and quite sonarous - a "Sweet Pan" if you will. Like many musicians, I've developed an attachment to my musical instrument. I named her Nevaeh, which is heaven spelled backwards. I affectionately refer to her as "Baby".

Best,
Minsky

My new BFF:The beach wedding chair

Hello Music Friends,

I wanted to congratulate and thank all the couples that allowed me to play steel drums at their weddings this year. The experience and the friendships formed had been truly amazing. Although I'm a wedding vendor, I must say that I felt like a guest of the highest order. I'm thoroughly pleased to have celebrated their weddings and shared my music with their families.

Minsky

The Chemistry of a Smile

Hello Music Friends

I am making full recomendation to use the photography services of Dallas Galbreath.
www.dallasgalbreath.com otherwise known as DG Photography.

I recently did a shoot with Mrs. Galbreath on the South Carolina coast and was impressed by her competence, skill and friendly nature.

I've found that creative minded people "Right Brainers" display their work based on their feelings. If the artisan is energetic and in a good mood you will experience that in their output ( whether its a painting, a musical composition, a poem etc).

Such was the case of Mrs Galbreath. Her good mood and energy translated into a fun filled photo session. She really had a command of her discipline - She knew photography and kicked into "photo mode" automatically. As a result of her enthusiasm, I kicked into " Model mode" automatically! She used multiple cameras and took shots from all sorts of angles. I felt as though I were a professional model on a runway as she snapped away in rapid succession.

The final results were simply amazing. She cretaed a choice of photos to be used for all sorts of applications.

Dallas, thank you for you time and efforts and I look forward to working with you again.www.dallasgalbreath.com

Minsky

A sign of the times

Good Day Music Friends,

....And when I looked up, there it was! Hello all. I was hyped up because I saw a sign that advertised my performance at recently played gig. This was a major step forward for me, because the promoter had the sign created un beknowst to me. It was such a delight and honor to have seen a professionally made advertisment that invited patrons to spend the afternoon listening to great steel drum music....and they accepted the invitation too.

Minsky

He is part of the package

Hello Music Friends,

I'm glad to announce that I 'm now part of the network of vendors for the Savannah Beach Inn on Tybee Island, GA. www.savannahbeachinn.com. If you are getting married on Tybee island and you'd like to have a classy memorable wedding featuring steel drum music please contact Anne at www.savannahbeachinn.com and mention that you would like Minsky the steel drummer to play for your big day.

Best,
Minsky

Your Music takes me to.............

Good Day Music Friends,

I had a very warm conversation with a gentleman at a recent gig in Knightdale NC. He immediately took a liking to the steel drums and came out onto the patio and listend to my music. He mentioned that he loved Merengue, salsa, and bachata and reggae. He said " Steel Drums take me to a place where I'd rather be" I assured him that I would've played all of those styles for his listening pleasure. After further conversation, it became apparent to me as to why he loved the latin styles of music- His wife and son, both of latin origin, had been stuck abroad for the past year due to pending immigration proceedings. I realized that the music transported him to joyous moments he had shared with his wife and son. I glady accepted his invitation to play at his family homecoming party! Keep your Faith and chin up my friend.

Minsky

Tag teamin' for Jesus

Hello Music Friends

I spent my afternoon with the church family of Friendship Christian Center in Gastonia NC. They were super kind and I felt welcomed. The sound of steel drums added the right touch to their tropical themed BBQ. I was happy to fill the air with music while the members ate and mingled. The evening was a mixture of praise and worship by their lively praise team, poems written by the congregation, dances, and steel drums. The blend was just right in that it allowed me to listen to the other talent on hand as well as share my own music. I'm thankful for the opportunities that God has given me. Thank you for your kindness Friendship.

Minsky

20 miles outside of somwhere....

Hello Music friends

A few months ago I was introduced to the marvels of an onboard GPS system. Since I never really drove much, nor did I care to stop making stops to ask for directions, I never really thought much about it. However, I must say that I've had a change of heart. After using one this past weekend I'm sold. I'm going to scour ebay and the pawn shops to purchase my very own. Its funny how you notice things once you get involved with them...for example I noticed that just about Everyone on the highway had a GPS...even the motorcycle dude. I already have plans to use it when I get my 50 cc scooter to zip around town!

Minsky

Looking for a Steel Drummer?

Hi Music friends,

I recently joined the www.gigsalad.com network. I've had good results with www.gigmasters.com and I'm trying to increase my visibility. What I like about their site is that my contact info is listed on their page which in turn allows potential customer to contact me directly. Another plus is that their visitor rankings are high on www.Alexia.com. Hopefully I will continue to get invitation to share my music. My buddy once told me that people will hire me if they knew I existed.

Stop by and visit!

Minsky

I miss Amber Mint

Play it again Sam...well Minsky

Hello Music friends

I finally made my way to Charleston SC. Despite its dark past as a major slave trading depot, the downtown area has a very nice contrast of artsy yet historic feel. The cafes, restaurants and lively downtown made it artsy, while the Victorian houses and brick mansions maintained its history. Nonetheless my private performance promted the family to ask me to stay over and play longer than the alotted time. I'm always please when my customer enjoy my music to the point where the want to hear more of it. A great time was had by all.

Nothing like Family

Hello Music friends,

I love the versatility of the steel drum and its ability to play all genres of music and how it fits into any setting. I was thrilled to be invited to supply music for the Thompson Family Reunion. Their hospitality was super and they were a loving group of people. An unexpected highlight occurred when one of the family members accompanied me on guitar. Mr Jay Thompson. www.jayalanthompson.com. Mr Thompson is " sick" on the guitar! He knows his instrument and plays with sincerity. I was honored to be part of such a personal event and thrilled that I was able to "shed" with another musician.

Minsky

Pan on The Patio

Pan on The Patio

Shared via AddThis

Double Booking

Hello All

Have you ever tried to claim your seat on an airplane only to find out that someone else has already occupied your seat? After looking at your ticket stub , you realize that you may have been double booked. I'm happy to have been double booked. After finishing up a gig in Wilmington NC on Fri Jun 26th, I scooted over to the Caribbay Soul restaurant,( one of Wilmington NC's newest eateries) and arranged a booking for the following night! Jun 27th 6pm-9pm. That why I called it " Double Booking" . Hopefully all will go well and I can be a regular there.....maybe double booked, triple, quadruple....have drum will travel!

Best,
Minsky

Vamos a Cancun

Hello All

OMG I stayed at a hostel in Cancun!!!!! At $6 a night I didn't expect tooooo much, but I did expect something....lol. Well I got a room alright...nothing more, nothing less. They funny part was seeing a Marriott check-in sign that hung in the lobby...lol. If I owned the place, I think I would've done the same thing.

Asisde from living on the " other" side, the "what you see on TV" side of Cancun was great. Blue water, white sand, sun , great people etc. I even got a chance to practice speaking spanish. Riding the bus was a nice touch. I like gettin immersed in the culture of places that I visit, therefore, this put me in the "mix".



Minsky

Music for the Soul

Hello All

This weekend took me to West Palm Beach Fl to play at a wedding. The setting was in the backyard of a house, near the pool and the lake. In addition to the classy decor, the couple and their guests were fantastic, accomodating and downright hospitable. The mixture of nationalities really contirbuted to the vibe of the gathering. Everyone had something to offer to maintain the beauty of the afternoon. I was honored when the host asked me to continue playing and to join them in eating and dancing. I was happy to know that my music overcame the physical body and permeated the souls of the listeners. A memorable afternoon for me.

Minsky

All in one place

Hello

I was introduced to the town of Forest City NC by virtue of being invited to be one of several entertainers. Forest City is currently going through some revitalization efforts to bring the city back to its once bustling status. Part of the effort is to introduce art and music to the community. The festival fatured poetry, a gospel group, a Mariachi Band, Praise Dancers artwork on display and the sound of steel drums. I was especially impressed with the hospitality and friendliness of the festival comittee. Having a live sound engineer was a first for me. I've done my own amplification before, but being on a stage and having a "sound man" make sure that your music is crystal clear, was a treat and I believe a glimpse of things to come. Thank You Mr Hargrove and Forest City.

Minsky

A triple play weekend

Hello

I've covered some ground this weekend. Friday started with entertaining the guests of Palmetto Creek community in Bolivia NC. The residents have created a weekly meet up among themselves and included me in this week's gathering.

From there I traveled an hour away to the peacful shores of North Topsail Island. That was my first time playing there. I can see the effects of a harsh economy as there were many beachfront houses up for sale. Definitely a buyers market.The evening was picture perfect though.

My trip ended back in Charlotte at a lovely wedding in downtown Charlotte. The couple and their family were so inviting and accomodating. They even had Carib-the main beer of Trinidad on hand. I was soooo surprised and excited too. The vibe of the wedding/reception was electric. A good time was had by all! Congrats to the newlweds..The Thorntons and the Jones.

I really am thankful for the blessing of being able to share my music with so many wonderful people.

Music to heal

Hello All

I'm very excited about signing up to share my music with the local Hospice network. Music has healing qualities and can be used to bring smiles to faces. I'm looking forward to using the delightful sound of the steel drums to add some beautiful sounds to the lives of the residents.


Minsky

15yrs of Ministry

Hello

This weekend was a very full on for me. I spent it celebrating the 2yr anniversary of The Faith Center Church in Charlotte and 15yr oF the sister church Redeeming Life Christian Center in Bluefield WV. The activities started with a basket ball game between the ladies teams and then the deacons vs Clergy. The next day we had A church diner and the service itself. I always like jumping in with the praise team and adding to the atmosphere of worship. Praise God.

Minsky