Wayne Ricardo Gibson started his music career playing Bass on cruise ships in the Caribbean. After a number of years on a variety of instruments (Flute, Guitar, Steel Pan, Keyboard, Bass) playing in several Barbadian bands, he finally settled on the Steel Drums out of a necessity to fill the gap in a band that need a Steel Pan player.
Out of these beginnings, a player has emerged who has developed a very special style of playing the Double Tenor Pan with four sticks. This is a most unusual way of playing the melody and harmony at the same time, but makes him most effective as a soloist in any style of music.
In 1985 Wayne moved to England where he immediately found his playing in great demand and for years has played jazz steel pan, proving the instrument to be both versatile and always pleasing to the ear.
Wayne offers a number of entertainment options as follows:-
Solo - With the steel pans and backing tracks. Great for small gatherings or parties that require the band doesn't take up too much space, but still provides that full sound with PA and backing tracks.
Duo with Sax - For a compact setup but with the added expertise from a great saxophone player, adding that extra soca lilt and carnival atmosphere.
Trio with additional keyboards, or vocals - Still good for a compact setup but with an additional musician enabling a fuller sound and adding to the visual aspect of the show.
Soca Carnival Band Socafire! - This brings the authentic carnival sounds of the Caribbean to audiences near and far. Great for big parties and venues, full 6 piece band with drums ready to get everyone up and dancing with infectious driving groove, with a horn section.
Workshops
In recent years Wayne has been giving enthusiastically received tutorials to local school children on the intricacies of the Steel Pan. These workshops can consist of a lecture on its origin and construction, live demonstration showing it's relationship, versatility and use with other traditional instruments, and the showing of a Caribbean Carnival Video. Workshops can be for all ages.
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