Katzenjammers wins Panorama hat-trick

THEY promised they would do it, and they delivered.

Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra won a hat-trick in the final of the National Panorama Medium Conventional Band competition at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago, on February 23.

Performing in position number two, the band, which scored 281 points, delivered a thrilling performance of the Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco) tune Lying Excuses, arranged by Kersh Ramsey.

The young arranger drew loud cheers from the audience when he appeared on stage in a beige slim-fit suit edged with gold trimming and a matching makeshift crown.

In keeping with the song’s theme, Ramsey was accompanied by a young woman while another, playing the role of a jilted lover, accused him of being unfaithful.

San Fernando outfit Pan Elders Steel Orchestra, which placed second, also rocked the audience with an Ojay Richards arrangement of the Lord Nelson (Robert Nelson) classic Mih Lover. The band scored 279 points.

There was a tie for third place between San Juan band Pamberi and NGC Couva Joylanders, which played Voice’s (Aaron St Louis’) Too Own Way and Lennox Picou’s Cut the Bush respectively. The bands, which got 275 points, also delivered enjoyable performances.

Screams of jubilation echoed throughout the stadium’s parade ground as Katzenjammers was announced the winner around 12.15am on February 24. It came after a night of intense competition from the ten bands in the line-up.

An overwhelmed Ramsey accepted the trophy from Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell, Tobago West MP Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis and THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine.

Surrounded by screaming players and supporters, he told reporters, “We did it. We did what we came here to do.”

Ramsey said the road to securing the band’s hat-trick was challenging.

“We know what it takes to win a Panorama, but this one was special. This one was much needed. I love my players and I am feeling to cry, because to bring a hat-trick in Panorama is not something easy to do, and within the process is a lot of sleepless nights, hard work, dedication, 24 hours of music flowing through their brains. It affects your life mentally.”

He is grateful the band was able to keep the title in Tobago, “because we did it in Tobago and I want Tobago to be proud.”

Ramsey also thanked supporters.

“We love you, we love you, we love you. The trophy is ours and we are going to celebrate.”

Augustine said he is very proud of the work being done by Katzenjammers.

“The number one and the number two arrangers were both from Tobago, which speaks to the quality of our pan programme on the island. Congratulations to Katzenjammers and all the best to Ojay,” he said.

Augustine said he had felt the winner would be a toss-up between Katzenjammers and Pan Elders.

“So I think my score sheet and my predictions were right, and I am very happy it stayed in Tobago.

"I am also happy that we are hosting the medium band final in Tobago for yet another year. This should become a staple for us.”

Cudjoe-Lewis said she was excited.

“I am happy to see them do this for a third time. Kersh has been doing outstanding work over the years. He has been very diligent at what he has been doing, and tonight is a testimony of all of the hard work he has put in and anybody who says it’s an unfair judgment or anything like that, I think the proof is in the pudding. He has done it for a third time and we are indeed very, very proud,” she said.

Pan Trinbago president Beverly Ramsey-Moore, leader of Katzenjammers, said she would encourage some medium bands to become large bands.

“I am well pleased with the performance of all the bands. But I do hope that the encouragement here is that some of these medium bands will now move up into the large band category.

“As a matter of fact, I am going to encourage Katzenjammers to move up into the large band category. They have won this title five times and as such they should go up.”

Describing the event as magnificent, Ramsey-Moore said all of the bands brought their A-game.

She also thanked pan enthusiasts for their support.

“It was amazing. Wow, I am at a loss for words.’

Ramsey-Moore also praised the work of her team.

“When you think about bringing eight bands from Trinidad, the logistic of it...I have a dynamic team and they would have done a fantastic job.”

The event, titled Steel Pan Fuh So, Unleash D’ Power, took place before a large crowd, which included Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister and Tobago East MP Ayanna Webster-Roy, PNM senator Laurence Hislop, National Carnival Commission chairman Winston “Gypsy” Peters and several THA secretaries and assistant secretaries.

PUT IN BOX

OFFICIAL RESULTS

1. Katzenjammers – 281 points

2. Pan Elders Steel Orchestra – 279 points

3. NGC Couva Joylanders – 275 points

Pamberi Steel Orchestra – 275 points

5. NGC La Brea Nightingales – 272.5 points

6. Arima Angel Harps – Fiery – 269 points

Courts Sound Specialist of Laventille – 269 points

8. Dixieland Steel orchestra – Long Time – 268 points

9. Sforzata Steel Orchestra – Somebody – 264 points

Curepe Scherzando Steel Orchestra – 264 points