Lovell Yearwood – Championing the Pan Legacy with Skill, Passion and Dedication
For 14 years, Lovell has been a cornerstone of Pantonic Steel Orchestra, performing on both tenor and bass pans with extraordinary skill, passion and dedication. He began on tenor but soon discovered a love for bass, which has become central to the band’s sound. Even now, he continues to play tenor on smaller gigs and occasional workshops, sharing his musical knowledge and inspiring others. Lovell has performed several times in Panorama with Metronomes Steel Band and in the Pan Clash Explosion Ensemble, earning respect across the pan community for his musicianship and technical ability.
Lovell Yearwood with his Pantonic Family Crew.
Lovell’s journey with pan began at home. Encouraged by his mother, Helen, and sister Lynette, he started playing pan as a young boy. Some of his earliest memories include attending Panorama and the 1000 Pansevent, experiences that ignited his passion for steelpan and set him on a lifelong musical path. Lovell also lived with his grandfather, the legendary Biggs Yearwood, witnessing first-hand the dedication, hard work and respect he commanded in the pan community. These lessons in discipline, perseverance and integrity left a lasting mark on Lovell, shaping his own approach to music and life.
Lovell performing at the 1000 Pans Event held on the South Bank in 2012.
He attended Baden Powell Primary School in Hackney and played in the school band on pans made by his grandfather. As Biggs’ grandson, he carries forward the family legacy in every note, combining precision, skill and expressive musicality to inspire younger players and elevate every performance. His dedication to music extends beyond playing, he continually hones his technique and hopes to learn pan tuning and making, deepening his understanding of the instrument.
Lovell with the Pantonic Crew
Over the years, Lovell has helped rebuild Pantonic Steel Orchestra, guiding a new generation of musicians and keeping the band strong through challenges, including the post-COVID period. He plays not just with talent, but with heart, serving as a role model for younger members who look to him for guidance, discipline and inspiration. As a young Black man, he hopes to show the next generation that there is a positive path to follow, a way to stay off the streets, engage in a creative hobby, and be part of something meaningful. For Lovell, pan is more than music; it is a lifeline, a family, and a way to foster community.
Lovell on the Bass with Pantonic at one of their events!
Lovell is also an active member of Pantonic Steel Orchestra’s gig side, performing at festivals and events, including appearances alongside Rudimental and X Factor winner James Arthur at the A.V. Festival, and on Come Dine With Me. Beyond performing, he contributes through filming and documentation, capturing Pantonic’s return to Notting Hill Carnival 2024 and producing a mini-documentary for the Pantonic Black History exhibition, preserving the orchestra’s story for future generations.
Lovell the Bassman doing his thing!
Looking ahead, Lovell hopes to see Pantonic Steel Orchestra back in Panorama, secure more funding, and establish a permanent panyard for the band. His journey reflects not only extraordinary skill and musicality, but also unwavering dedication, commitment, and love for the art of steelpan, while inspiring the next generation to find purpose, community and joy in music.
