The Story of Toyo and De Boys

Hello Music Friends

I composed  a steel drum based song called "Toyo and De Boys" to pay homage to my grandfather's friends who serenaded our household during the Holiday Season.  Although I was very young at the time and did not remember specific details of the musicians, I  do in fact remember the feelings of love and happiness while growing up on Union Rd in Marabella, Trinidad. The insight of other relatives who knew the musicians helped me re-create  and piece together those precious memories.  I've also composed another song of the same vein. It's called " Mr Copeaux and Crew" .While, that song is the first part of the story, "Toyo and De Boys" is the continuation of the story. It is the second part. If you are cleaning your house, or prepping for hoilday guests, you may very well want to include these two songs into your hoilday line-up as they have the energy to put some "Pep in your step" Click on the link below to watch the video and download the song! "Free is For Me"

Happy Holidays

Hello Music Friends,

I just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a Happy Holiday season. I'm looking forward to traveling to NJ to spend Christmas Eve with my family. We usually get together at my cousin's house and have a blast! Its been a while since the last time I spent Christmas Eve with them. I guess you can say that I'm "Home for the Holidays"

Keep Well,
Minsky

What Exactly Do You Do?

Classic Riddim 2010

Hello Music Friends,

If you like Maxi Priest, then you might like listening to this. I heard the talented reggae artist singing on this riddim and automatically fell in love with the groove. Although I had planned to learn the song, I never really set aside the time to do so; however, a live poolside gig at The Mariott Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina forced me to go from "0 to 60 in 11seconds" so to speak. I didn't realize that my music player was set to "Shuffle" therefore when my ipod chose the Classic Riddim, I had to improvise my way through it.
I hope that I'm not the only one who likes this rendition.

Best,
Minsky

The alto voice of Mrs Eboni Joplin

Hello Music Friends,

I'm very happy to share some footage from my church's Mother's Day Concert 2012. This clip features The Faith Center Church's Choir with Ebony Joplin singing lead vocals. I was fortunate to have Mrs Joplin sing "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" on my debut christmas album. 

Click below to listen on itunes

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/minsky-delmonte/id485121376

Nonetheless enjoy the alto voice of Mrs Joplin and The Faith Center Church Choir.

Best,

Minsky

Making Progress with Creating Video Adverts

Hello Music Friends, One of the things that I enjoy doing is shooting and editing video. Its been a fun process gathering content to create advertisements. Here is a look at my latest production for my church- The Faith Center Church Mother's Day Concert. I'm still experimenting with filming by using different types of video cameras and external microphones. Im also working with syncing voice overs. My next step is to fiddle with lighting and elaborate on panning, zooming and angles. The fun/learning experience continues. Best, Minsky

A lil music in Whitney's honor- "My Love Is Your Love" Minsky Delmonte-Steel Drums

"Brilliant Kids and their Magic Drums"

  Hello Music Friends

On April 17th I traveled to Summit Academy Middle School in Akron, OH to perform with a group of fantastic youths. In addition to being a guest artist with the "Steel Dragons",  I had the good fortune of seeing the kids perform their spring play "The Lion King".  Personally speaking, the most captivating part of the whole experience was that these exceptional students are part of a program that is specifically designed for students with AD/HD, Asperger's Syndrome and related disorders. The majority of the students are on an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) that helps them attain goals based on their needs.      
      
The steel drum band is an after school program that is highly sought out by the kids. The standards of being a band member are very high in that it requres a certain GPA, self-controlled behavior dedication to practicing and reliable attendance.  Although the majority of students who seek out the program face behavioral challenges, come from abusive/unstable families, battle social adaptation skills and learning deficits,  when it comes to playing the steel drum and being a part of the band, those conditions are non existent and become irrelevant. The band members make concious efforts to adhere to the bands poilicies so that they may continue participating.  I learned of one of the students who had experienced alot of rejection and turmoil for most of her  life, who made the statement " The steel band is the only thing in this school that I want to be a part of ".

In  chatting with the steel drum band director, Mrs Angel Lawrie, I learned and observed that the students had gravitated towards the steel drum and that it has been a tool that has helped them build cohesion amongst the band and develop an appreciation for themselves, their peers and for music. I found it very interesting that the kids experienced a calming effect from the steel drum and its tone. The kids were also quite adept at relating to the pattern of the note layouts.

While I was equally impressed with the quality of music being taught and played by the band, I must say that their enthusiasm for what they were doing was terrific.  On the night of the performance,  the concert hall was filled with over 300 supportive parents, relatives and friends.  Mrs Lawrie told me that they had moved the concert to a larger facility (The Shaw JCC) in order to accomodate the bigger crowds. During their first few years of existence, they were not able to handle the outpouring of concertgoers as the school grounds were much too small-Nor did they anticipate such successful attendance.

I also got to shake hands and congratulate many of the students afterwards. I made friends with a young fella named Isaac. Isaac earned one of the lead roles in the school play- " The Lion King ".  Isaac shared with me that proir to coming to Summit Academy Middle School, he was constantly bullied by the students at his previous school. The combination of his peers not understanding his special needs and just being at a stage where kids can be very mean really had made him go into recluse.  All of that changed when he got to the academy. He felt as though he was able to "breath"  and be himslef again. According to him, It seemed as though the students and faculty knew exactly what he needed. As a result of being in such a comfortable, nurturing environement, he was able to explore his talent and his love for acting. I must say that he played the role of "Scar" with convincing passion. It was an honor to meet his beaming parents and to have him autograph my program as a momento of his outstanding progress.

I must say that the whole experience was very rewarding. I felt pride about the steel drum as an instrument and it was amazing to me how the kids embraced it. I had never known of it being used in such a setting with such profound effects.  I learned so much from the kids and I will always remember my visit. I look forward to being a part of their September concert too. I'll have to practice hard and be prepared, because I know that they will be!
     
Be sure to click on the link below. The article speaks more about Summit Academy and features and audio interview with Mrs Lawrie.

  http://www.wksu.org/news/story 

Summit Academy steel drums are built, tuned and maintained by Steve Lawrie of Pantuner.
www.pantuner.com



Best,
Minsky
www.hearsteeldrumsplay.com

"Time to Get this Show on the Road"

Hello Music Friends,

Many people ask "Where am I playing next?" with the hopes of catching some live steel drum music.

 I'd be so happy for you to attend an event where I might be performing.

 Click on the link below for a glimpse of my performance schedule.

www.hearsteeldrumsplay.com/calendar

Best,

Minsky

The Steel Drum as a Vehicle to Joy

Hello Music Friends,

There are many stories of the power of music. Such a divine gift that can be used for good and bad. The following article writes about band director Angel Lawrie and her husband Stevie Lawrie, and how they use the beautiful steel drum as a vehicle to help special needs students explore the instrument and experience the joys of music. This is a good one.

Read the full article here.

  http://www.wksu.org/news/story

Angel Laurie pauses before leading the Summit Academy Steel Dragons in an arrangement written by her husband, Steve. This is the band's second year performing at the Akron school that serves students with Asperger's, ADHD and similar challenges.

Courtesy of Valerie Brown

Best,
Minsky

                                                                                     

"King For A Day"

On February 21 2012, the steel drum art form was at its pinnacle of adoration and acceptance by the people of Trinidad and Tobago. On that warm Saturday night the biggest steel band festival which is known as "Panorama" (in Trinidad the steel drum is more commonly known as Pan or steel pan) took place. The 12  rivaling bands competed  for a cash prize and the title of Panorama Champs 2012. The event had all  of the color and spectacle that Trinidad Carnival had to offer. 

 What I find most interesting about  the whole story is that, YES -The twin island nation is the land which gave birth to this lovely instrument.  YES - Its the land that can rightfully deem themselves inventors of the only acoustic instrument of the 20th century. YES- its the land that has produced a musical instrument that has received accolades the world over by gracing the stages of legendary concert halls and executing the most difficult pieces of music from Classical to Calypso. YES- its the land whose instrument has become a part of University curriculums, and  countless community programs. YES- its the land that has lent the world a tool that has united players of varying skill levels and of different socio- economic/ethnic backgrounds. YES- its  the land who has given music a gift that makes people smile, dance, wave their hands and experience feelings of joy. YES- its land that despite all of the wonderful descriptions that  I've listed, nonetheless, treats the steel drum as a SECOND CLASS CITIZEN.

From Classical To Calypso

Hello Music Friends,

This video is an awesome display of how well a solo steel drum can blend with a full orchestra.

I often tell people that the steel drum is capable of playing ANY type of music.  Although the public is generally accustomed to hearing  steel drums  in "beach" style music or playing  tropical rhythms, they seldom get to hear virtuosos express themselves on the instrument. I often say that the instrument has the notes to make music but it is the skill of the player that brings it all to life. Liam Teague is such a virtuoso who expresses himself on the steel drum. In addition to being a standout musician he is also very well spoken. I think that those two attributes make him an asset to the art form.  Have a listen as he joins the Taiwan National Symphony in a piece that was written especially for him.

Best

Minsky