A Song of Praise

Hello Music Friends,

I sent this video to my buddy to get his opinion and his response was: "Man, you need to wash our dishes and clean your kitchen before you make anymore videos." Anyway............here is "More Than Anything" by Lamar Campbell.

Best,
Minsky

International Day Festival at a Local Elementary School

Hello Music Friends

Today I spent the day teaching elementary school students the joys of the steel pan. I must say that they were a very attentive, intelligent lively group. In addition to teaching them the origin of the instrument and how they are built, I gave them a chance to play my drum. Their excitement level really rose as they played along to a reggae accompaniment track. I gave them a choice of 4 notes that were in the proper key of the song and then told them to play whatever the felt.  Their eyes lit up in amazement by the beautiful sound of the pan and the fact that they were creating sound in real-time. Its my hope that these experiences shape their self confidence and their appreciation of music in general.

Best,

Minsky

Same Song, Different Packaging!

Hello Music Friends,

Just wanted to share a song that was inspired by fond memories of growing up in Marabella, Trinindad and Tobago.

Click on the picture above to listen.

Best,
Minsky

Praise and Worship Music for New Years Eve 2014

Hello Music Friends,

Happy New Year to all of you? I was thrilled to bring in the New Year sharing songs of Praise and Worship. As part of a line up of Christian artists I  had  the chance to play "Lord I Lift Your Name on High". This song was written by Rick Founds and has been covered by many others including Dan Moen, Donnie Mc Clurkin, Petra, Minsky Delmonte and the Maranantha Singers. This particular arrangement was featured on saxophonist Sam Levine's album.

Be Sure to take a listen share and comment.
Best,
Minsky

A Song of Praise-The Anthem Planetshakers

Hi there Music Friends,
My desire is to travel to the nations and share songs of praise using this wonderful instrument. Praise God!

Best,
MInsky

In the spirit of Christmas......

Hi There music friends.
While there is "Nothing new under the sun", there are new interpretations of old songs. Here is my version of "O Come All Ye Faithful". I had a good vibe about it while recording it and I hope you get a good vibe while listening to it.

Best,
Minsky

Now playing on Soundcloud.....

Hi Music Friends,

I recently shared some new music on Soundcloud. Its cool to see that people have been listening to it. I hope that you get a chance to listen as well. Click on the link for some tuneage:
 https://soundcloud.com/hear-steel-drums-play

Best,
Minsky

"Fan of The Week" Criteria

Hello Music Friends,

I have a tab on my Facebook fan page called "Fan of The Week". Its a n application that automatically chooses a new fan and recognizes them for a week. So, how does one become a "Fan Of The Week? Well, its very easy. Fan of the week stats are compiled by visitors' interaction with the my page. Visitors get points awarded for their visits, comments, posting pictures, "likes" etc. More interaction increases your chances for getting picked. Another way of getting selected is by "becoming a candidate". Clicking on the "Fan Of The Week" icon (which is located on the top right portion of my timeline) will take you to the candidate sign up page. At the moment the chances of being picked are in your favor as I don't really have heavy traffic to my page. Its essentially a ground floor opportunity to interact with me and be able to say "Hey I knew him when". Head on over to my fan page and get involved! I'll be waitin' for ya.
www.facebook.com/hearsteeldrumsplay

Best,

Minsky

Poly Rhythms. In other words....Serious Iron Section

Hello Music Friends
Carnival season is underway in Trinidad and Tobago. There will be lots of music, color, and many aspects of visual and performing arts will be represented. I stumbled across a video of a group of musicians belting out a percussive groove. This groove is what drives the rhythm of the steel band and is called a "Rhythm Section" or an " Engine Room".  You will hear them playing without an accompanying steel band. I'd describe the rhythms as "Infectious" Enjoy.


Best,
Minsky

An insider's view of Soca Music

 

 

 

Hi Music Friends, Happy New Year
I found a cool article that writes about the origins of Soca music. It is written in laymans term by soca artist Mantius Cazaboun. I choose this article as steel drum repertoires are loaded with Soca tunes. They are happily married so to speak.
Best,
Minsky

 

Soca

A nice essay on soca, with more detail than I ever knew:

•What Is Soca Music


What is soca music?


This material is geared primarily towards folks who are new to this genre of music called soca...

As an artist who has been recording soca songs for the last eight years, and who has won Caribbean wide soca competitions, I shall humbly attempt to present a comprehensive introduction to soca music.



Soca music originated in the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago. It is widely accepted to have been created by Lord Shorty (born Garfield Blackman). He noticed that Calypso music was threatened by the more popular reggae music and dying out and attempted to create a new hybrid that was more appealing to the masses.

Click below to read the rest

http://folksongstuff.blogspot.com/2008/10/soca.html

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

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

"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

Its not new, Just new to me.....

Hi there Music Friends,

For many years people had asked me if I had a CD. The answer had always been No.......until now!
Feel free to listen and consider adding these songs to your music collection.

Keep Well,
Minsky