Pan-O-Jama Entertainment
presents Avon Francis (Steel Drum Player)
Providing Live Steel Pan Music for all Occasions!
Professional Pannist
It's the Pan in Me
Brief History Of The Steel Pan
It's the Pan in Me
FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS I HAVE BEEN PROVIDING LIVE MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT IN THE GREATER ATLANTA METRO AREA SERVING AS THE DIRECTOR AND TENOR PAN PLAYER FOR VARIOUS MUSICAL GROUPS.
OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS I'VE FOCUSED ON PERFORMING AS A ONE MAN STEEL BAND SHOW.
MY LIVE PERFORMANCES INVOLVE PLAYING STEEL PAN SOLOS OVER SELF-ARRANGED STUDIO RECOR
FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS I HAVE BEEN PROVIDING LIVE MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT IN THE GREATER ATLANTA METRO AREA SERVING AS THE DIRECTOR AND TENOR PAN PLAYER FOR VARIOUS MUSICAL GROUPS.
OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS I'VE FOCUSED ON PERFORMING AS A ONE MAN STEEL BAND SHOW.
MY LIVE PERFORMANCES INVOLVE PLAYING STEEL PAN SOLOS OVER SELF-ARRANGED STUDIO RECORDED INSTRUMENTALS RESULTING IN AN INNOVATIVE AND ORIGINAL SOUND THAT IS GUARANTEED TO BE AUDIBLY PLEASING TO ALL.
MY MUSICAL REPERTOIRE IS AS VAST AS IT IS DIVERSE.
PERFORMANCE SELECTIONS ARE CHOSEN FROM MOST WELL-KNOWN GENRES SUCH AS SOCA/CALYPSO, REGGAE, R&B/SOUL, JAZZ, POP/ROCK, SALSA/ZOUK, CONTEMPORARY DANCE & EASY LISTENING MUSIC.
I AM AVAILABLE FOR WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARIES, CORPORATE BRUNCHES, PROMOTIONAL EVENTS, AWARD BANQUETS, GRADUATIONS, BIRTHDAYS, POOL PARTIES, MUSIC FESTIVALS, ETC..
THANK YOU KINDLY FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
AVON FRANCIS (PANNIST)
ONE MAN STEEL BAND EXTRAORDINAIRE
PAN-O-JAMA ENTERTAINMENT
(678) 446-5787
Biography
Brief History Of The Steel Pan
It's the Pan in Me
On February of 1968 the pearl of the Caribbean, St. Thomas Virgin Islands, gave birth to one of the most talented sons of its soil. Born Avon Francis to Gloria and Emmett Francis on February 14th as the second of four siblings, his quest to expose the world to the Caribbean's musical art forms of Soca, Calypso, Zouk, Reggae and Steelband
On February of 1968 the pearl of the Caribbean, St. Thomas Virgin Islands, gave birth to one of the most talented sons of its soil. Born Avon Francis to Gloria and Emmett Francis on February 14th as the second of four siblings, his quest to expose the world to the Caribbean's musical art forms of Soca, Calypso, Zouk, Reggae and Steelband music began.
Influenced greatly by the stalwarts of the Caribbean music scene such as the Mighty Sparrow, Lord Kitchener and Bob Marley, Avon learned to play the steelpan at the tender age of 10 while attending the Saint Peter & Paul Junior High School. After spending 2 years with his junior high school steelband, Avon moved on to Charlotte Amalie High School where he began his apprenticeship with that school's own Mello Hawks Steel Orchestra.
Here is where he began his informal training in the art of arranging and composing music. Avon began studying the master steelband arrangers like Jit Samaroo, Clive Bradley and Len "Boogsie" Sharpe from Trinidad and Tobago. He also listened intently to the great steel orchestras such as Renegades, Desperadoes, Phase II Pan Groove, All Stars and Harmonites.
His exposure to these bands was infectious. Avon spent untold hours upon hours studying how the bands interpreted and performed a musical composition. He observed how the musical parts were distributed and what format the arrangers used to deliver the 10+ minute musical arrangements.
This experience had a profound effect on Avon for it is where he learned the art of arranging panorama styled compositions for the steelband.
In 1983 Avon advanced from pan player to musical director for the Mello Hawks Steel Orchestra where he remained until 1985.
With his musical craft well refined and polished he was offered a paid position as musical director with the short-lived Youth Musical Express Steel Orchestra. Under his direction the band won awards for Best New Steelband for St. Thomas Carnival 1985, and Best Visiting Steelband for St. John Carnival 1985 and St.Croix Festival 1986.
But the accolades did not stop there. At the age of 17 Avon was called upon by the Charlotte Amalie High School's Music Department Director, Ms. Georgia Francis, to conduct and arrange a musical test piece for the school's Jazz ensemble. The band entered the 1986 Annual Brass-O-Rama competition, considered to be the largest and most fierce musical competition in the Virgin Islands, and stunned both their supporters and biggest critics by assuming the 1st runner up position placing well ahead of 5 of the Virgin Island's top and more experienced bands.
Shortly after graduating from high school Avon moved to the lovely city of Atlanta, Georgia to continue his schooling. It didn't take long for him to make his musical impression felt. In 1989 he helped form the most versatile DJ sound system-Exile One Productions & Promotions- where he was able to bring the sounds of the Caribbean to Atlanta by fully displaying his newly found talents of selecting, mixing and working a dancehall full of revellers into a musical frenzy. It was also around this time that Avon met the love of his life and future wife, Celeste Francis.
In 1994 he became the musical director of the famed Sounds of Paradise Steel Ensemble where he was able to make full use of his music arranging abilities.
In 1996 he began phase III of his musical development when he helped form the UnCommon Journey Band (formerly known as Megaton Band). During this period Avon taught himself how to play the keyboards, program drum machines and sequence. He further sharpened his music arranging and performance skills by using the keyboard workstation to lay his musical ideas down track by track adding fullness and enhancing the musical output of his band.
Because of his sheer determination, self-motivation, and willingness to experiment, Avon has found innovative ways to enrich his musical production while creating new avenues to present his music to the masses. He has strategically positioned himself in various musical groups incorporating a variety of styles, allowing him to continuously raise his standards musically.
Now he is ready!
He has stood neck deep in the musical trenches; listening, observing, and following the guidance and instruction of his mentors- Mike Alexander, Adrian "Spex" Blades and Francis Callwood.
He has assumed several honorable titles and never hesitated to take on more and more musical responsibilities.
He has spent the last 45 years carving, shaping, molding, refining, and polishing his musical craft.
Now his lifelong preparation has brought him here!
Now his love for the institution of music- In the Caribbean and worldwide- has led him to his destiny!
Now I say, he is ready!!
Ladies & Gentlemen, without further a due, we bring to you Mr. Panman/Mr. Arranger/Mr. Composer/Mr. Entertainer/Mr. Master Producer/The "Vybe King"
The Pan-O-Jama Entertainment Group
Presents
The One Man SteelBand Extraordinaire
AVON "The Pannist” FRANCIS
by steelpanpro.com
Brief History Of The Steel Pan
Brief History Of The Steel Pan
Brief History Of The Steel Pan
The steel drum or steel pan, as it is more commonly known, originated in Trinidad. There is some debate as to who invented it and when. However, we do know that it is the only acoustic musical instrument to be invented in the 20th century. And it’s made a significant impact on the music world in a short time.
The family of steel pan in
The steel drum or steel pan, as it is more commonly known, originated in Trinidad. There is some debate as to who invented it and when. However, we do know that it is the only acoustic musical instrument to be invented in the 20th century. And it’s made a significant impact on the music world in a short time.
The family of steel pan instruments range from tenor pans to twelve-bass drums. The creation of each pan starts with 55-gallon oil barrels. Each barrel is cut to different lengths depending on the instrument being created. Each barrel top is pounded and stretched to create high or low notes and pitches.
The steel pan’s history stretches back to the 1940s when it made its first appearance during World War II. It is a product of Trinidad’s poor working class neighborhoods. The inventors were teenagers influenced by the drumming traditions of their African and Indian ancestors. Drumming was and continues to be an integral part of each community’s religious and social practices.
Authorities banned drumming for fear of unrest, uprisings and rebellion for years. Pan evolved from bamboo sticks to steel in spite of those efforts. Pan players were considered social outcasts for many years. Their earlier activities centered more on fighting and violence. When pans started to appear, their “sound” shifted the groups’ focus to being the best musical groups around. Today’s steel pan players or “panists” are well-respected musicians. The instrument continues to grow in worldwide popularity.
Trinidad is still the epicenter of pan activity. Each year, the island holds the Super Bowl of steel pan competitions. “Panorama” is one of the most anticipated events on the steel pan calendar.
Courtesy of http://steelpancollective.org/Pan-History
Contact Info
Avon Francis (Steel Drum Player)
Providing Live Steel Pan Music for all Occasions!
Performance Rate is as follows:
$375 for the 1st hour
$150 for each additional hour
Please submit payments to :
paypal.me/AvonFrancis
or
cash.app/$Panojama
Pan-O-Jama Entertainment
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
