Nostalgia Steelband, the UK's first steel band established in 1964.

Oct 22

Oct 22 Nostalgia Steelband, the UK's first steel band established in 1964.

Nostalgia Steelband’s origin could be traced back to 1951, when the Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO) left Trinidad in July of that year to take part in the Festival of Britain. Twelve musicians were originally chosen from different steelbands across Trinidad, for the tour, though one of the original group members, Sonny Roach, became ill in Martinique and missed the tour. The other members of the group were Lieutenant Griffith, Philmore ‘Boots’ Davidson, Patsy Haynes, Dudley Smith, Anthony Williams, Elliot Mannette, Theo Stephens, Winston ‘Spree’ Simon, Andrew DeLabastide, Belgrave Bonaparte and Sterling Betancourt. After the tour of England and Paris, Sterling settled in London. His tenor pan may have been the only pan instrument in Britain at that time.

In late 1952, Sterling linked up with Russell Henderson, who was in Britain at the time studying music and the art of piano tuning. It was suggested by a record producer that these two musicians produce a recording of Russell’s music. Under the label Melo Disc, they recorded six discs, among them, Ping-Pong Blues, West Indian Nights and many others. Anxious to form a steelband, Sterling sent to Trinidad for a single second pan and a single guitar pan to be posted to him in England. This was the beginning of steel bands in Britain after TASPO. The original members were Russell Henderson, Mervyn Constantine and Sterling Betancourt. As Russell was the recognised musician in the group, the band was named the Russ Henderson Steel Band and their first gig was at the Sunset Club in Carnaby Street. The steel band trio then became a quartet when Max Cherrie and his brother Ralph joined the group. The steel band was featured in a number of radio broadcasts, cinema and television films namely The Saint, Danger Man, The Boy who talked to Animals and Upstairs and Downstairs. Constantine had by then left the group.

The steel band also doubled as a Jazz band; they played in West End clubs with Russell on piano, Max on the double bass, Sterling on drums and Gigi Walker on trumpet. The steelband also performed in all the Mecca dance halls, theatres, along with debutante concerts. Conrad Martinez joined the band as an accordion player and pianist, giving depth to the repertoire already in existence.

In 1965, the steel and jazz bands co-existed. The Jazz band played regular gigs in the Colherne Pub in Earls Court (every Sunday afternoon) and the steel band played regular functions at Seamore Hall, Victory House and many other London venues. In that same year Russell was approached by Mrs Ronnie Laslette to take part in the Children’s Neighbourhood Carnival in Portobello Road, Notting Hill. The Steelband, consisting of three steel drums along with percussion played as a ‘pan-around-neck’ band. Without a specified route, the band made its own. Some spectators joined in the procession whilst others thought it was a demonstration. Some were heard to comment ‘ Why don’t you go back to your own country. What are you demonstrating about?’

Some of the players who were involved in the ambience, were Vernon Williams, Zigilie Constantine, Philmore Boots Davidson, Victor Critichlow, Selwyn Baptiste, Eamon Thorpe, Hockey Man, Big George, Herman and Elma Betancourt, Brian Henderson, Kass Mathias, Ken and Cynthia Thomas, Gerald ‘Castro’ Irish, Steve Kaliper, Horace Ove, Errol Phillip, Wack Young, Miguel Barradas, Pedro Burgess, Bertrand Parris and many more. This was the beginning of the Notting Hill Carnival.

The band changed its name twice. In 1969 it was the Twelfth Century Steel Band joining with Aston Charles to bring costumes to the carnival scene. During a discussion at Selwyn Baptiste’s residence in Powis Square, the identification of a name for the band materialised. It was Philmore ‘Boots’ Davidson who suggested the name Nostalgia and the band was launched as a traditional single pan band. Today, Nostalgia is the only pan-around-neck steel band in the Notting Hill Carnival. Many others have tried this art form and failed to maintain the momentum. Band members have to walk and play whilst the weight of the instrument has defeated many grown men. Sterling, the leader of Nostalgia still carried his steel drum around his neck and completed the entire route at 72 years of age.

In 1976, Sterling played at the Nova Park Hotel in Zurich where he introduced the steelpan instrument to an enthusiastic Swiss audience. Today there are over 200 steel bands in Switzerland.

1987 was memorable for Nostalgia when Sterling invited a Swiss band called Sandfloo to join them at the Notting Hill Carnival. Sandfloo was surprised by the invitation and harboured thoughts of not being good enough. Some of Nostalgia’s members objected and did not play that carnival. Some even left the band. Many thought that the Swiss could not play and would not fit in. This proved unfounded, as they eventually became accomplished pan players. In 1995 Nostalgia entered the Notting Hill Panorama competition and competed with conventional bands without coming last in the competition. Some objections to the presence of a traditional ‘pan-around-neck’ steel band in the competition were raised and Nostalgia was effectively barred.

Nostalgia is well supported in Switzerland, with a strong representation from Paul Francis’ ’Funland Serenaders’, from Bern. This group had been with Nostalgia for quite a few years. Paul was a member of Nostalgia before setting out to pursue his career in Switzerland. Many of those recognised as top pan players - Kenrick Isidore, Eamon Thorpe, Rudy ‘Two Lef’ Smith, Ken Johnson, Ralph Richardson, Irwin Clement, Desmond Bowen, Ralph Bowen, Leslie Edwards, Mike ’Natsy’ Contant, Junior Gill, Tamla Batra, Clive Davies, Clyde Diaz, Daniel Louis, Paul Cherrie and Basa - have over the years played with Nostalgia. In 2000, Pan Kultur steelband from Dortmund, Germany joined Nostalgia to experience the Notting Hill Carnival atmosphere.

Nostalgia remains a pan-around-neck steel band, and as such costumes cannot be too cumbersome. Designs need to be simplistic, without obstructing the musical instruments. Sterling Betancourt, has had his services to the steel pan culture recognised in many quarters and in many countries. He received the Sunshine Award, from the USA Folk Art Institute, Brooklyn and was the first steelpan musician to be honoured by a British University for his contributions to the Caribbean musical art. Other awards have been the Scarlet Ibis Award, from the High Commission of Trinidad and Tobago, and a lifetime award from the Ministry of Culture of Trinidad and Tobago. Nostalgia Steel band wishes to thank all their supporters, friends and players past and present for the support they have given us over the years – 1951 to presently.