Currently the arranger for the BP Renegades in Trinidad and Tobago, and a world-renowned soloist, Duvone Stewart has built a reputation for innovation on the Steelpan. PM sat down with Stewart to discuss his work, goals and thoughts on the future of Pan.

How did you get started with Pan?

I began my musical career at the tender age of six. I was tutored by Gwyneth Armstrong in both theory and practical music on the piano. During this period I performed creditably at Trinity Music Exams- an initiative of the London School of Music. Consequently, my joy for music blossomed. After accompanying my parents to a steel orchestra practice one evening, I picked up a pair of tenor pan sticks and the rest was history. My fingers began to tickle me immensely. Little did I know that I made a connection that would transform my life forever. In less than two hours of playing around with the instrument, I was able to play “Mary Had A Little Lamb” with my eyes closed. At that point I ran to my mother and expressed my desire to learn to play the Steelpan. After seeing what I was able to accomplish in a short space of time, my mother, Virginia welcomed the move, and that is how I got started with the Steelpan. Then, at the age of eight, I started playing with the ‘Trintoc Tobago All Stars Steel Orchestra’ where I learned to master the instrument.

What do you love most about the instrument?

The instrument is magical. When one listens to the sounds that emanate from the playing of a wooden stick with rubber at the head on an oil drum, you become mesmerized. The wide range of tones; how euphoric!

Additionally, the instrument is very versatile. A player can play the melody of a song with the Steelpan and utilize that same Pan to play accompanying parts. The capabilities of the Steelpan expanded tremendously with the creation of an electronic Steelpan, the E-Pan an invention of Salmon Cupid. Now you can be on an E-pan and have a full orchestra while performing solo or even utilize the E-pan and allow the Steelpan to sound like a violin, a piano, a saxophone or any other instrument you could think of. The magical nature and colossal capabilities of the Steelpan are what I love most about the instrument. Just pure ecstasy!

Who were your biggest musical influences, both Pan and non-Pan related?

My Pan-related influences were Gwyneth Armstrong, Dr. Jit Samaroo, Robert Greenidge, Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe, Liam Teague, Andy Narell, Ken ‘Professor’ Philmore, Leon ‘Foster’ Thomas, Seion Gomez, Arddin Herbert, and the list goes on….

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