Rhythm Is Life - Spreading The Joy of Steelpan!
The Rhythm Is Life Steel Band from Phoenix, Arizona, USA formed in 2005 as a learning laboratory for music educators who had a steel band at their school but lacked practical experience in pan performance or pedagogy. Founding director Wes Hawkins studied percussion (including pan) at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where Professor Gary Cook established the band in 1987 with the leadership of then graduate student Jeannine Remy.
RILSB Driveway 2025
During Wes’ time in UA Steel (1993-1997) the program was frequently visited by Cliff Alexis, Ray Holman, and other legends of the steelpan, but it was a visit from Len “Boogsie” Sharpe in 1996 that solidified Wes’ desire to be involved in furthering the art of steelpan for the rest of his life.
Wes Hawkins and Dr Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe
For over two decades, Rhythm Is Life has been performing around the state of Arizona at concerts, block parties, festivals, art walks, church services, libraries, weddings, and corporate events, bringing steelpan music to a wide variety of communities around the state. In 2020, during the Covid shutdown, RILSB began producing videos and live-streaming “driveway concerts” to lift people’s spirits while in isolation. In 2021 Wes started another steel band at Phoenix College called "PC Pan Groove" with pans made and tuned by Ansel Joseph.
PC Pan Groove and Rhythm is Life with Dr Josanne Francis in 2026.
In 2023, Wes established Phoenix Pan Rising, a festival for school and community steel bands hosted at Phoenix College and co-sponsored by Rhythm Is Life and Definite Pitch Steel Pans. Since its inception, the Phoenix Pan Rising festival has been honoured to present an amazing list of guest artists: Liam Teague (2023), Robert Greenidge (2024), Ray Holman (2025), and Dr. Josanne Francis (2026).
The Rhythm Is Life Steel Band is honoured to be featured by Pan Podium, and we are truly blessed to be able to share this instrument in our little corner of the world. In every performance we pay our respects and do our absolute best to represent the resilience and creativity of the people of Trinidad and Tobago who invented this instrument and the musical energy it inspires around the world.
Ansel Joseph, Wes Hawkins and Dr Ray Holman in 2025.
If you’d like to learn more about Rhythm Is Life, you can email rhythmislife.steelband@gmail.com and/or follow us on our social media channels: Facebook - Instagram - YouTube
Panpodium salutes Wes Hawkins and his steelband, Rhythm Is Life for the valuable work they do to honour, preserve, and elevate the rich cultural legacy of Trinidad and Tobago by showcasing the brilliant versatility of the Steelpan - the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century - bringing its infectious energy, complex harmonies, and historic spirit to audiences. Music is Love. Spread it Abundantly!
