Ellie Mannette Speaks *LINK*

Posted By: When Steel Talks
Date: Tuesday, 22 April 2003, at 10:51 a.m.

When Steel Talks

Mannette Talks Pan In Brooklyn

By ADIKA BUTLER

BROOKLYN—Pan lovers who packed the Dem Stars Pan Theater on Foster Ave. in Brooklyn to hear legendary steelpan tuner Ellie Mannette got an earful, as he passionately advocated for greater dedication to the instrument during a lecture this past Sunday.

Complacency is the mother of mediocrity, that’s why Mannette urged steelpan tuners to begin seriously striving for the continued development of the instrument.

“This steeldrum is in the infancy of its development,” he said, therefore New York City’s bands must play their part in making sure that it reaches its full potential. One way for them to start, he said, is by using the latest technology available for the tuning process.

“All kinds of [scientists] are coming into the art-form right now, especially from West Virginia University, to look at how to make this instrument better, and I don’t want Trinidadians to be left behind, because that is ultimately what will happen if we continue working by hand” said Mannette.

Click on link for full story

http://www.basementrecordings.com/news/adk/mannette.htm

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