BBC - Radio 3 - Womad2005 - Renegades Steel Orchestra

RENEGADES STEEL ORCHESTRA (TRINIDAD)

In recent months, there's been no end to the column inches devoted to the continuing adventures of the Blind Boys of Alabama, those implausibly long-serving gospel messengers who've been spreading the word since the Second World War was still raging.

Now it's time to salute another band that's been making music just as long. The Renegades Steel Orchestra is probably the most successful steel band in the history of Trinidadian music. Whether performing for Nelson Mandela at his post-release celebrations at New York's Yankee Stadium or picking up 16 National Panorama titles since the mid-1980s, the Renegades have been the highest-profile ambassadors for the steel pan tradition, largely thanks to the unerring direction of veteran arranger Jit Samaroo.

That they're the best supported pan crew across the entire Caribbean is as much due to their tremendous energy levels as it is to a wide-ranging repertoire that takes in many of the islands' differing music styles - calypso, zouk, merengue, soca and beyond. Although the band's ranks are usually around 15-strong, at Carnival time in Port of Spain their numbers swell to an astonishing 120 players, creating a sound of hurricane proportions. Prepare yourself for the Renegades' soundwave.

Read other people's comments then

Tell us what you think:

johanna french girl (Arles)
U miss us...We will never forget you,Ornella, Laure, Johanna

Gary - Steelasophical = London
Jit Samaroo and thr Renegades - a wonderful combination for well over 20 years.Never tire of listening Pan Explosion / Pan In A minor / Sweet Pan / Pan Night and Day ......

foreignsweetness /// B'klyn N.Y
BP Renegades Steel Och. Will always be my #1 band. They are always full of Red Bull energy, they can play any type of tempo I really admire you guys. Lots of Luck in this coming carnival 2k7.

joanne joseph Amsterdam the netherlands
i saw the renegades steel Orchestra.In Amsterdam the Netherland.And i enjoy my self that night.on the 16-04-2003.And ilove the renegades steel band.Regades.from joanne.From Ansterdam.

andrew
just saw them for free yesterday in melbourne as part of the commonwealth games 'festival'. absolutely unreal - they were there as preact for jimmy cliff but got a fantastic respone from the audience - great night of dancing. seriously these guys (and girl/s) are the bomb

jess, hampshire
brilliant. do they have a cd??

joanne
i am looking for the photo from the bass man from renegades steel band womad 2005

nadine trinidad
this is a very good site and i love their music

Glyn Jones Machester
Are there any DVDs available or how much for a school concert?

Valérie France nantes
Hello everybody I've see renegades after play in a steel band in Nantes. I was very very happy to see him. There was a best musicians of trinidad . Thank you to diffuse there concert. Sorry for fautes

Jason Lewis, London
Simply the greatest steel orchestra in the WORLD!!!!!

Marlene Thomas Hamilton, ON Canada
I received this from a friend, and i should say i enjoyed the Renegades Steel Orchestra. So uplifting, so awesome. FUN,FUN,FUN!!!

David in Virginia
Great music! Reminds me of a trip to Trinidad 30 years ago. Egbert Lawrence took me to a party at which Steel bands played all night. Then next day we went to a Test Match. It's doesn't get any better! regards David