TASPO (Steelband)
The Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra was a steel band, which the former colony of Trinidad and Tobago in 1951 sent to the UK to perform at the island and mainland Europe at the Festival of Britain and introduce the new music instrument Steel Pan.
Background
The steel pan was developed before and during the Second World War in the neighborhoods of Port of Spain. During the Carnival of 1946, played Winston " Spree " Simon on an instrument with 14 tones, among other things, the British national anthem God Save the King. The then governor of the colony, Sir Bede Edmund Hugh Clifford, was thrilled. While the development and improvement of tools made progress, 1949, " Steelband Association of Trinidad and Tobago " was founded. It has been working on sending a steel band at the Festival of Britain. As the discoverer and developer of the steel pan from a few exceptions, had no musical training, they were not aware that their instruments were not chromatic. This circumstance but was corrected for the visit to England. TASPO was the first steel band, which played on instruments that were made exclusively from old Oelfässern.
Effects of TASPO
On July 6, 1951, the orchestra traveled on the SS San Mateo to England. Carlton " Sonny " Roach stayed behind due to an illness in Martinique. On December 12, 1951 TASPO returned to Trinidad. The only exception Sterling Betancourt, who remained in England and was later involved were instrumental in establishing the Notting Hill Carnival. Also Philmore "Boots" Davidson played a major role in the dissemination of Steel Pan in England. Elliot " Ellie " Mannette emigrated to the USA and made the steel pan known on the North American continent. TASPO and its members had a major share in the global distribution of steel bands.
Board and Board
The management of the orchestra had Lieutenant Joseph Nathaniel Griffith, a conductor of the Police Band. The members of the TASPO were almost exclusively respected steelpan makers and / or leaders of their respective Steel Band.