Saturday August 27, 2005 was an exceptionally special night for the SteelBandits: it was the night of their very first public concert, and wow, had they worked hard to prepare for it! Thankfully, everything went smoothly; the turnout was exceedingly gratifying, the line-up of guest artistes performed superbly, and there was an abundance of mouth-watering food to eat. It was truly exciting! The Master of Ceremonies, George Maharaj, voiced the curiosity of the audience who pondered, “How did the SteelBandits come to be?” It was a very important question, one that they as a band had overlooked, and therefore no clear answer was available. This addressed the Bandits’ need to collectively record their history and how they became the exceptional and distinct band that they have come to be recognized. It’s no easy task and memories are a bit clouded, but here is the Bandits’ very best attempt to go back in time to where all the magic first began. Here goes!

As far back as 1997, the Naparima Alumni Association of Canada provided steelpan classes for the community at Cedarbrae Collegiate where Mr. Randolph Karamath is a teacher. He was also given the role of teacher for these Naparima steelpan classes. During this time, Cherlin McColman was one of the first individuals from the community who came to learn to play this instrument under the direction of Mr. Karamath. Meanwhile, Michael Jagdeo who was a high school student at Cedarbrae Collegiate at the time, began his journey with the steelpan in an after-school, extra-curricular setting, also under the direction of Randolph Karamath. Randolph’s daughter, Shelli Karamath, who began playing through Naparima’s steelpan programme at West Humber Collegiate around 1991, also helped teach her father’s classes at Cedarbrae on a one-on-one level. Later on in 1999, Mikey Captain, another student at Cedarbrae, signed up to take the Steel Pan music-credit course at Cedarbrae and fell in love with the instrument. Also around the same time, Cherlin brought along a friend of hers, Shari Ralph, to join the Naparima classes where she was introduced to the pan. These were the first pioneer members who would later form the foundation of the SteelBandits.

Cherlin, Shari, Michael (who is affectionately referred to as Jagdeo), Mikey, Shelli and their leader Randolph, displayed not only the ability to perform well and interpret music exceptionally, they also enjoyed making music together and truly admired the sound they produced as an unofficial group, for they frequently played informally for small gatherings and events. Most recently around 2004, Kenwyn Kipenji, a talented student at Cedarbrae who began playing the pans, became their drummer. A self-taught, quiet but creative and versatile drummer, Kenwyn has breathed rhythmic life into the Bandits. Gerry Williams, who initially came a few years earlier in 2002 to the Naparima classes to learn to play the bass pans, revealed that he was a bass guitarist. Now and again he would join the group with his bass guitar, which completed and polished their sound. Another important member is Janice Ellis aka “Pan Jan”. Pan Jan purchased her own pan in 1999 and was a devoted player in the Naparima classes. A few years later, she joined the soon-to-be “Bandits” where she displayed a keen ear in picking up songs quickly. Surgery in 2003 interrupted her learning for about two months. Despite this, her original determination to get back into the groove was still visible. Pan Jan has been a faithful enthusiast of the Bandits through and through and is always guiding and providing constructive advice to the band.

Around 2003, the completed group cooperatively decided that it would be a tremendous idea to form a stage-performance band who would perform professionally for various events such as weddings, parties, fundraisers and so on. They decided to fashion an identity of their own with an official name and logo, and to step away from the generous and nurturing care that the Naparima Alumni had provided for so long. It was in that year that the name “The SteelBandits” was established and Gerry Williams expertly designed the perfect logo by May 2003. Even though these members have been playing together since 1999, “The SteelBandits” was established around this time, 2003. So when should anniversary celebrations take place? They have no idea!

Unfortunately, near the end of 2003, Mikey Captain moved away to begin a new life in Florida. Mikey’s enthusiasm and commitment to the band was passionate and unremitting. He will always be regarded as a SteelBandit, their “bassbwoy”, and as one of the pioneer members of this musical family. Mikey, The SteelBandits thank you for all your continuous support and love.

Throughout the years, the band was very fortunate to have had many prominent personalities in the Pan/Calypso community lend a helping hand in their formation and development. Some of their biggest fans include gifted pannists Chris Copeland and “Pan Man” Pat McNeilly, pan-maker/tuner/arranger/pioneer Tommy Crichlow as well as calypso researcher George Maharaj. The band had the privilege of receiving performance coaching from the former Captain of the Pamberi Steel Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago, Robby Charles. Eminent local pannist and arranger, Mark Mosca, specially arranged the group’s theme song, a classic calypso from the eighties, “Bandit” originally performed by Organiser. This is an incredibly meaningful and treasured gift to the Bandits.

Last but certainly not least remain the two most important figures within this group: Mr. Randolph Karamath and his wife, Marion Karamath, who have managed and fostered the talents of this band since day one. The combination of Randolph’s leadership and musical arrangements and Marion’s organizational and promotional skills (and cooking), are the elements that have produced such a fervent, unwavering group of promising musicians. As Michael Jagdeo said, “We have all built close relationships with each other over the past few years.  These relationships make the music that much more enjoyable!” This band is a family, a family that is rare and inimitable and Randolph and Marion are their beloved musical parents.

So there you have it! These are the roots of the blossoming SteelBandits. Each member is unquestionably special and contributes something equally valuable to the harmonious vibrations they emote.

As the curtains close after one concert, The SteelBandits look forward to a bright future with many more shows and concerts and lots of Cds and Dvds, and most importantly, more pulsating and heartfelt music to “steel” your soul! The journey is just beginning . . .