Community Center - West Indian

Drumming is an essential component of the African musical tradition.
Nowhere is this truer than in the Caribbean Islands.

Steel Pans or Steel Drums are recognized as the only musical instrument created in the 20th century. They originated in Trinidad in the 1930s.  While there is discussion on who can be called the “father of steel drums, Winston Simon, called “Spree,” is recognized as one of the early and influential players.

Spree Simon was born in 1930 and even as a child played in bands at community celebrations. As a teenager after World War II, he was the lead drummer of the band named Destination Tokyo. One of his most famous performances was in 1946, the first post war celebration of Carnival, attended by many government officials.

Drummers began by using readily available biscuit tins and fifty gallon drums to beat out complex rhythms. This experimenting gradually morphed into the steel drum as we know it – steel carefully hammered to produce a range of notes and that unique and mellow sound which is enjoyed the world over.