Andre White makes a clean sweep of all categories as event returns after 16 years.
In a competition that saw many firsts, from being entirely virtual to its first-ever Japanese pannist, the International Pan Ramajay competition crowned its first triple-crown winner in every category — Andre White.
White performed in the solo, duo and quartet categories, wowing the four-person adjudication panel on his way to victory. The International Pan Ramajay competition took place from June 14 thru June 27, 2020 and featured players from all around the world improvising over randomly provided backing tracks of popular songs. The field began with 10 quartets, 15 duos and 44 soloists, eventually ending up with 10 soloists, five duos and five quartets once the Preliminary, Semi-Final and Final rounds concluded.
The performers hailed from 12 different countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, Denmark, USA, Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten and Japan. Each performer or group was given a backing track from a select list of songs that included pop tunes “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, “Jammin”, “Rock With You”, and island favorites “Bazodee” and “Ramajay”, among others. The prize money awarded for the solo category was $2,000 U.S. and $3,000 for the duo and quartet categories.
The Field
With a field as competitive and star-studded as one might imagine of a global steelpan competition, White was elated after his victory and grateful for the opportunity to compete against such talented musicians.
“It’s a pretty surreal feeling. I didn’t come into the competition expecting to win, really. Especially with the caliber of great players that also took part,” White said. “I just entered because my friends entered and we wanted to have fun showcasing our vibes.”
Competitors included Khan Codice, Domenic Lewis, Kareem Thompson, Keisha Codrington, Kobie Alleyne, Khuent Rose, Maico Miyamoto, Iman Pascall and many others. The competition was judged by four judges, which included Victor Provost, Dr. Eugene Novotney, Professor Liam Teague and Professor Ron Reed.
Good Timing
This year marked the first time Pan Ramajay had been held for 16 years. Republic Bank Exodus hosted the event and has plans for it to return for at least two more years.
“I think the event was fairly well put together. It was the first year that it was done in this capacity (virtually) and for that it went pretty well,” White added. “As with most things, there are always areas that can be improved but I’m sure the organizers would make the right adjustments for the next one.”
The word “ramajay” is a folk term that originated from Trinidad and Tobago and means to let go and break away. Given the context of the event within current times, this could be interpreted as one reason the event and its participants decided to take part. This is especially true when you consider the words of Andre White.
“To be able to present music through the instrument during these dark times means a lot for the progression of the art form. It shows that there are things happening on a global level and will open ideas for people to use other means to push the instrument internationally,” White said. “I hope people get the idea that the only way for us as a steelpan fraternity to move forward is together. Irregardless of your nationality, gender, race, or age. Especially if we want to make it through these times where most of the carnivals (in which the instrument has been most noted to be a part of) have been cancelled going all the way into 2021. The instrument is a tool in which we all can use as a vessel to express ourselves together.”
“I want to share a special congratulations to all the participants the entered the competition with special mention to Khan Cordice, Kareem Thompson, Domenic Lewis, Khuent Rose, Keisha Codrington (and the rest of the codrington family), Kobie Alleyne, Mikhail Salcedo, Eljhaie Brathwaite, Maico Miyamoto, Tristian Japsi, Jahlani Roberts, Domo Joat, and everyone else who made the competition a great one! It was an honor.”
International Pan Ramajay Results 2020:
Soloists
1. Andre White – US
2. Khan Cordice – Antigua and Barbuda
3. Domenic Lewis – Barbados
4. Kareem Thompson – US
5. Keisha Codrington – TT
6. Kobie Alleyne – US
7. Khuent Rose – US
8. Mikhail Salcedo – TT
9. Eljhaie (LJ) Brathwaite – St Thomas
10. Maico Miyamoto – Japan
Duos
- Andre White, Tristan Japsi – US
- Kareem Thompson, DoMoJOAT – US
- Cary Codrington, Keisha Codrington – TT
- Khuent Rose, Jahlani Roberts – US
- Dejean Cain, Deja Cain – TT
Quartets
- Andre White, Kareem Thompson, Khuent Rose, Iman Pascall – US
- Cary Codrington. Keisha Codrington, Khari Codrington, Kaijah Codrington – TT
- Tristan Japsi, Kendall Williams, Marc Brooks, Edward Clarke – US
- Sheldon Peters, Terrance BJ Marcelle, Marlon White, Shivon Bourne – TT
- Dejean Cain, Deja Cain, Martin Cain, Shovon Brown – TT
Watch the finals here: http://youtu.be/SZLHeA3ExnE
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Great newsletter. Thanks for writing about the competition. Didn’t know there was such a competition. I was familiar with some of the names on the list. Congratulations to all participants.