Steel Band

A steel band, or steel orchestra, is an ensemble built entirely from steelpans, instruments hammered from oil drums whose tuned surfaces yield tenor, guitar, cello, and bass pans of distinct pitch ranges. Born in Trinidad's Carnival culture, steel bands perform calypso, soca, and arranged classical and popular repertoire with a bright, bell-like collective sound, driven by a rhythm section called the engine room. The great Port of Spain orchestras, *Desperadoes*, *Renegades*, and *Trinidad All Stars*, compete at the Panorama championship during Carnival, fielding over a hundred players behind arrangers such as *Len "Boogsie" Sharpe* and *Jit Samaroo*.