This event was established in 1999 to recognise and celebrate the contributions of individuals and groups within the steelpan community.  Since its inception, the event has grown in stature and has established itself in the UK Community’s calendar.

Guests included her Excellency, Glenda Morean-Phillip – High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago, London Notting Hill Carnival Limited Directors – Chris Boothman and Debi Gardner, Dr Andrew Ramroop and Mr Gerald Forsyth who held office in the GLC as Instrumental Organiser and by 1990 was responsible for pan being part of their curriculum in over 160 schools across London.  He highlighted the artform as the perfect machinery for bringing together the UK’s diverse population and for reflecting and promoting the culture of Trinidad and Tobago.

It was an evening filled with entertainment supplied by Delphina Panness James, Pantasia Steelband, Entertainer Remo, the Caribbean Steel International Steel Band and DJ Sugar K (Unique FM) dishing out some rather catchy numbers that had everyone on the dance floor until the wee hours of the morning. Martin Jay of Choice FM 96.9 was the M.C. on the night. 

Awards presented were:

COMMUNITY AWARDS

Contribution to the promotion of steelpan music, art, culture and heritage -  THE CONNOR FAMILY

Contribution to the promotion of steelpan music, art, culture and heritage -  HALLIM IFILL

Contribution to the promotion of steel pan music, art, culture and heritage - TONY ‘COWBOY’ CHARLES

Celebrating 21 years promoting carnival arts - LEE WOOLFORD CHIVERS

Recognition of 50 years promoting calypso in the UK - ASHTON ‘MIGHTY TIGER’ MOORE

ANNIVERSARY AWARDS - promoting steelpan music, art, culture and heritage.  

Celebrating 50 years -  RAINBOW STEEL BAND

Celebrating 30 years - NORTH STARS STEEL ORCHESTRA

Celebrating 25 years - MANGROVE STEELBAND

COMPETITION AWARDS

National Panorama Champions - BWIA EBONY STEELBAND

Junior Panorama Champions - MANGROVE YOUTH STEELBAND

J’Ouvert – Bomb Competition - LONDON ALL STARS

Notting Hill Carnival Best Steelband on the Road - CROYDON STEEL ORCHESTRA

The Randolph Baptiste Inspirational Award - CROYDON STEEL ORCHESTRA

Winner - Pan Explosion (Ensemble) - PANTASIA STEEL ORCHESTRA

Winner – Pan Explosion (Soloist) - DELPHINA ‘PANNESS’ JAMES

BAS HALL OF FAME - Lifetime Achievement Award

Gerald Forsyth - 

After leaving Modern Secondary School, Gerald formed the Green Eyes Steelband, named after a   nightclub in close proximity to their pan yard. Some of the players included Corbeau-Jack Riley, Natsy and Bambi Contant, Boy Blue Mansing and Clifford Gill. Later, he turned his attention to pan making and tuning, studying under the illustrious Ellie Mannette at the University of Pan – more commonly known as “Invaders Pan Yard”.  Through Gerald’s instructions, his life long friend Michael ‘Natsy’ Contant made chromatic pans and Green Eyes Steelband was the first steel band worldwide to have them. As his tuning skills developed, he travelled to other West Indian islands to practice his trade and in 1962 he migrated to Britain in 1962 where he started gigging with Boots Davidson, Zigilee Constantine, Eamann Thorpe and Desmond Bowen. In 1964, he formed the Invaders Combo, which played regularly at the legendary Albany Pub and by 1966 he was in America teaching the pan. As well as tuning pans for a number of steelbands, this gentleman continues to teach the intricacies of playing pan and welcomes every opportunity to pass on his knowledge to future generations so that the art can evolve with time. 

BAS now looks forward to another successful year for pan in 2006 and the fruition of a number of new initiatives which includes Junior Panorama and a Youth Forum.