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Welcome to the Diego Martin Pan Institute. Pan began in Trinidad around 1939 and since has reached worldwide acclaim.

We are committed to preserving the legacy of this wonderful musical instrument and to bring people to Trinidad to better appreciate the source of this instrument. We want the world to meet the inventors, pioneers and innovators of pan and to learn from them. We want to spread the joy of pan music to all who visit us. Whether you are a professional musician or a professional music lover we offer a program for you. Let us immerse you in the pan culture that is Trinidad and Tobago. We promise to give you an unforgettable experience of fun and learning.

The fourth edition of Jazz Artists on the Greens, the premier open air Jazz Concert in the country, will be held at the Centre for Creative and Festival Arts, U.W.I., St. Augustine, on Sunday April 2nd, 2006. As in previous years, the 2006 event will highlight Local and Caribbean Jazz performers.

The featured performers for 2006 are:

• Rosemary Phillips of Barbados, featuring Martinique’s Bernard Brothers and Bajan saxophonist Andre Woodvine,

• Dominica’s Michele Henderson featuring Michael Boothman of Trinidad,

• Chicago based Trinidadian pannist Clyde "Lightning" George,

• Latin Jazz sensation Fuego Latino of Trinidad and Venezuela,

• The Icewater Pan Ensemble, arguably the most exciting single-pan steel orchestra in Trinidad and Tobago.

• To purchase tickets, click here.

• For a downloadable copy of the media kit, click here.

For more information Click Here.

February 11, 2006 marked the 6th anniversary of the death of Aldwin Roberts, the Grandmaster of Calypso. All the musicians at The Calypso Revue tent (with the exception of the Baron) donned a 'Kitch' hat. Many artistes sang a Kitch tune and the audience joined in. The most sung tune of the night was 'D Road' then followed by 'Miss Tourist'.
Sugar did a heartful rendition of 'Love in the Cemetery' .
It was a Saturday night and almost half the chairs were empty but the Kitch spirit filled up the place to capacity.
Most everyone there was fortunate to have seen Kitchener perform in his lifetimeand well appreciated his genius in calypso. Kaiso, Kaiso..

Hat photos are in the gallery!

The DMPI hosted a grand celebration of Bertie Marhsall’s 70th birthday on February 5, 2006. MC Clifton Lewis opened the night wishing Bertie many more years and thanking him for 70 great ones so far. Clifton reminded people that Diego Martin is the holy ground of Calypso as Calypso was born in Diego Martin in 1785. Along with his Regeneration Now partner of 48 years, Paul Noel, they opened with a priceless song done
A capella about looking back on the years of life. The Steel Inversion band presented
their high quality of music as was always demanded from pan legend, Bertie Marshall.
Bertie commented that his protégé, Lightning, understands his music and his instrument.
“I coaxed Lightning to move from the double 2nds to the double tenor pans. Lightning has learnt to caress his instrument. When he plays I hear the notes so clearly. It is a pleasure to see and hear him perform”

Many of Bertie’s longtime associates came to wish him well. Professors that work with him at the University of Trinidad and Tobago were in attendance including Professor Kenneth Julian, Professor Imbert and Professor Ramchan. Bertie received an honorary doctorate from the University of Trinidad and Tobago in November of 2005.
Everyone enjoyed the Sunday dinner prepared “Baby’s Way”. The band played some jazz standards, accompanied Regeneration Now, Crazy and Funny as they performed a few for Bertie. Despite some intermittent rains everyone enjoyed the evening.

Dreams come true
...Calypso film on US top ten
Terry Joseph

Wednesday, January 4th 2006

Calypso Dreams, the award-winning documentary filmed entirely on location in Trinidad and Tobago, was named Number 2 "Documentary of the Year" on the Best Black Film List of 2005 compiled by internationally famous African American film critic Kam Williams.

Williams, whose syndicated list is published in more than 200 Black and African Diaspora newspapers and magazines around the world, described the movie as: "So shock full of colourful characters, so informative, and so much fun that you never want it to end .This film is Trinidad's answer to Cuba's Buena Vista Social Club, only more satisfying," he said.

In continuing tribute, he saw the film as "a joyous celebration of calypso music and a belated testament to its legitimate greats. In Calypso Dreams we have a laudable effort to set the record straight about [calypso's] roots," Williams said.



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by Terry Joseph
Posted: November 27, 2005

Clive Bradley

Master musician Clive Bradley, internationally revered for his work as arranger for the Witco Desperadoes steel orchestra, passed away yesterday at Port of Spain General Hospital, four days after suffering a stroke at home.

Master musician Clive Bradley, internationally revered for his work as arranger for the Witco Desperadoes steel orchestra, passed away yesterday at Port of Spain General Hospital, four days after suffering a stroke at home.

As news of his passing spread, calls, queries and tributes poured in from everywhere. The Sunday Express received telephone calls from Cliff Alexis of Northern Illinois University, fellow keyboardist Raf Robertson in Washington DC, career pan fan Gaston Maloney from Grand Cayman, and Pamberi's Nestor Sullivan.

Dr Pat Bishop's description of Bradley embraced all the emotions that surfaced yesterday. "He bestrode the world of the arranger like a Colossus," Dr Bishop said. "Nobody handled the minor-key mode like Bradley. Nobody could make you weep at Panorama which, of course, is supposed to be a time of unbridled joyousness, but he captured the tragic underside of the human condition and gave it a voice that was utterly awesome, authentic and Trinidadian."

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