Trinidad All-Steel Pan Percussion Orchestra

The Trinidad All-Steel Pan Percussion Orchestra (TASPO) was formed to participate in the 1951 Festival of Britain, having its first performance on 26 July at London's Southbank Centre. The group was the first steelband to travel abroad from Trinidad and Tobago, presenting the newly invented steelpan to an international audience.

Members Lieutenant Joseph Nathaniel Griffith (born in Barbados) was the conductor of the band. Griffith was originally part of the Trinidad Police Band.

Player BandDOBDOD Cecil “Coye” FordeInvaders1928/09/142012/12/25 Orman "Patsy" Haynes Casablanca1930/02/221985/10/29 Elliot "Ellie" Mannette Invaders1927/11/052018/08/29 Belgrave Bonaparte Southern Symphony1932 Anthony "Tony" Williams North Stars1931/06/242021/12/21 Carlton "Sonny" Roach Sun Valley1924/08/061986 Philmore "Boots" Davidson City Syncopators19281993 Sterling Betancourt Crossfire1924/03/01 Andrew "Pan" de la Bastide Chicago1927/12/012002/11/17 Dudley Smith Rising Sun Winston "Spree" Simon Fascinators (Tokyo)19301976/11/18 Theophilus "Black James" Stephens Free French1933/11/042001/11/06

On 6 July 1951, TASPO left Trinidad for England on the SS San Mateo. Carlton "Sonny" Roach fell ill and was left behind in Martinique. The steelband performed at the Southbank Centre, London, on 26 July 1951, as well as elsewhere in Britain and in Paris, France. TASPO returned to Trinidad on 12 December 1951, the only exception being Sterling Betancourt, who stayed in London. Betancourt had been vitally involved in building up Notting Hill Carnival.

Legacy On 26 July 2022, the anniversary of TASPO's 1951 "introduction of Steelpan to the world" during the Festival of Britain was celebrated with a Google Doodle.

In July 2026, the 75th anniversary of TASPOs performance at London's South Bank was celebrated at the Royal Festival Hall.

Trinidad All-Steel Pan Percussion Orchestra

Bron en licentie