From the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, steel pan drums bring heart and soul to every base line they’re a part of. As a true part of Caribbean history, carnival was the start of it all. 1834 was the year the newly emancipated people of Trinidad were finally permitted to participate in the festivities of carnival, but with governmental restriction as a form of systemic discrimination, that banned the use of their traditional African drums. Unwilling to let oppression stop expression, Trinidadians sought another vessel of percussion and gathered common household objects including dustbins, scrap metal containers, and bamboo stamping tubes to assemble the first of “Tamboo Bamboo” bands.  

After almost two centuries of improvisation, innovation, and determination have made the steelpan a percussion instrument with multiple pitches and levels of octaves. Not only is the steelpan, or steel drum, now the national instrument of the twin islands: Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean carnival, street parades, and intimate local parties would not be the same without the steelpan. Their resonance gives anyone within earshot island vibes. We hope you’ll join us in experiencing this showcase dedicated to steel pan artistry at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.