Hummingbird Silver Medal Awardee | Duvone Stewart | Host: Adanna Combie | Tobago Updates

Summary

In this interview, renowned steel pan musician and arranger Duvon Stewart discusses his recent achievement of receiving the prestigious Hummingbird Silver Medal for Arts and Culture in Trinidad and Tobago. He reflects on his journey, the impact of steel pan on his life, and his hopes for the instrument's future in education. Stewart emphasizes the need for more recognition and resources for steel pan in the local education system. He also shares his future plans, including more global master classes and an upcoming solo album of original music.

Takeaways

• 🎶 Duvon Stewart, a celebrated panist and musical arranger, recently received the prestigious Hummingbird Silver Award.
• 🎉 Stewart is proud and deeply humbled by the award, thanking his supporters, family, friends, and the steel pan fraternity.
• 🌍 Stewart’s international career includes giving masterclasses and workshops globally, with a focus on spreading love for the steel pan.
• 🇹🇹 The steel pan is the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, a fact that Stewart sees as a huge honor but asks, 'What’s next?'
• 🎓 Stewart advocates for the steel pan to be integrated into the school system as a full-time subject rather than just an extracurricular activity.
• 🛠 Stewart highlights that Trinidad and Tobago still lacks a local drum factory, which forces the country to import drums from Japan.
• 💡 He expresses concern that despite the availability of education in steel pan, there are limited opportunities for graduates in Trinidad and Tobago.
• 🎵 Stewart plans to continue his international work, but also wants to return home and contribute more to the local steel pan community.
• 🎶 Stewart is working on new music and a solo album, which is expected to be released in 2025, with original compositions.
• 😊 Stewart expresses gratitude for the support from his local and international fans and remains passionate about the future of steel pan.

Q & A

Who is the interviewee in the conversation?

The interviewee is Duvon Stewart, a renowned panist and musical arranger from Tobago.

What recent achievement is Duvon Stewart being congratulated for?

Duvon Stewart recently received the Hummingbird Silver Medal for his contributions to arts and culture in Trinidad and Tobago.

How did Duvon Stewart react upon learning about his Hummingbird Silver Medal award?

He was very excited and grateful, thanking God and expressing deep humility for the recognition.

What does Duvon Stewart attribute his success to?

He attributes his success to the unwavering support of his parents, family, friends, supporters, and the steel pan fraternity.

What role does Duvon Stewart believe the steel pan should play in the education system of Trinidad and Tobago?

Duvon Stewart believes the steel pan should be a full-time part of the school curriculum in Trinidad and Tobago, not just an extracurricular activity.

What challenges does Duvon Stewart highlight regarding the steel pan industry in Trinidad and Tobago?

He highlights the lack of a local drum factory, the need to import drums from Japan, and the absence of career opportunities for students who study steel pan at university.

What is Duvon Stewart's stance on the international growth of the steel pan?

He acknowledges the international success of the steel pan, particularly in universities abroad, but emphasizes the need for more local support and development in Trinidad and Tobago.

What future plans does Duvon Stewart have for his career?

Duvon Stewart plans to continue teaching master classes and arranging music globally. He also aims to invest more time in creating new music and is working on an original solo album to be released in 2025.

What message does Duvon Stewart have for the younger generation regarding the steel pan?

He encourages the younger generation to see the potential in steel pan and believes it should be embraced as a viable career path, with greater opportunities for local talent.

How does Duvon Stewart plan to engage with the Tobago community in the future?

He plans to return home to Tobago to conduct classes and workshops for different age groups, although his schedule currently keeps him busy with international commitments.

Outlines

00:00

🎶 Welcoming Duvon Stewart and His Recent Accomplishment

The host introduces the guest, Duvon Stewart, a renowned panist and musical arranger, who recently received the Hummingbird Silver Award. The conversation reflects on his international success and how he's placed Tobago on the global map. Duvon expresses his excitement and gratitude for the recognition, crediting his achievements to the support of family, friends, and the steelpan community. He shares the emotional moment when he learned about the award and expresses deep humility and pride in receiving such an honor.

05:01

🥁 The Importance of Steelpan in Education and Culture

Duvon discusses the significance of the steelpan, which has been officially recognized as the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. He emphasizes the need for further action to promote the instrument, particularly in schools. He advocates for its inclusion in the national curriculum rather than being treated as an extracurricular activity. Duvon also highlights the global success of the instrument in universities, contrasting it with the lack of local opportunities for students after they graduate. He calls on the government and educational institutions to provide more support for the steelpan's future.

10:04

🌍 Challenges and Future of Steelpan Development

Continuing the discussion, Duvon talks about the challenges the steelpan community faces in Trinidad and Tobago, including the need for a local drum factory to reduce reliance on imports. He stresses the importance of building an infrastructure that will sustain the instrument’s cultural significance. He expresses frustration over the lack of opportunities for steelpan players in the country, sharing his personal experience of having to work abroad to continue his craft. Duvon calls for more investment in steelpan education and the creation of local opportunities for future generations.

🎓 Plans for Classes and Steelpan Education

A question from a staff member brings up the possibility of Duvon holding steelpan classes for various age groups in Tobago. Duvon shares his enthusiasm about teaching and giving back to his community, especially focusing on younger generations and adults alike. However, he notes that his current international commitments make it difficult to dedicate time to this right now, though it’s something he plans to do in the future. Duvon is eager to return home and contribute to local steelpan education and development.

🎼 What’s Next for Duvon Stewart?

Duvon outlines his future plans, which include continuing his global work as a lecturer and arranger. He also shares his desire to focus more on personal growth and creativity, mentioning his upcoming solo album featuring original compositions. He’s working with musicians in France and expects the album to be released in 2025. Duvon also expresses his dedication to spreading positive vibes through his music while contributing to the cultural landscape of Trinidad and Tobago.

🎉 Conclusion and Gratitude from the Tobago Community

The host concludes the interview by expressing gratitude to Duvon for his contributions to both the steelpan community and the island of Tobago. They reflect on how his passion for the instrument has endured over the years and how his work continues to inspire others. Duvon is thanked for his ongoing efforts and dedication to the steelpan, and well wishes are given for his future endeavors. The interview ends with the host encouraging the audience to share the live broadcast.

Keywords

💡Hummingbird Silver Award

The Hummingbird Silver Award is a prestigious national honor in Trinidad and Tobago, recognizing individuals for their outstanding contributions to the arts, culture, or community. In the video, Duvon Stewart, a panist and musical arranger, expresses his deep gratitude upon receiving this award, highlighting how it signifies both personal and professional recognition for his work in the steelpan community.

💡Steelpan

The steelpan is a musical instrument originating from Trinidad and Tobago, made from steel drums. It is central to the country’s cultural identity and was recently declared the national instrument. Stewart, a passionate advocate for the steelpan, emphasizes its importance in his life and how it has shaped his career, calling for its incorporation into the education system and more local support for its development.

💡Pan Fraternity

The pan fraternity refers to the community of individuals who are involved with steelpan music, including players, bands, composers, and enthusiasts. Stewart attributes much of his success to the support he received from this community, indicating that the Hummingbird Silver Award is as much an acknowledgment of their collective contributions as it is of his individual achievements.

💡National Instrument

In the video, Stewart discusses the significance of the steelpan being named the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. This formal recognition symbolizes the instrument's deep cultural relevance. However, Stewart stresses the need for concrete actions to follow, such as creating an educational framework that integrates the steelpan into the school system.

💡Master Classes and Workshops

Master classes and workshops refer to advanced music lessons or educational sessions led by experts. Stewart mentions his international work conducting these classes across Europe, teaching the steelpan to aspiring musicians. His ability to educate others on the instrument internationally is a testament to his expertise and passion for spreading steelpan music globally.

💡Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage encompasses the traditions, customs, and artifacts that are passed down through generations. In the video, the steelpan is highlighted as a vital element of Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural heritage, with Stewart advocating for increased respect, recognition, and education around it, ensuring that future generations appreciate and continue this legacy.

💡Educational System

Stewart stresses the need for the steelpan to be integrated into Trinidad and Tobago’s formal educational system. He argues that it should not be relegated to an extracurricular activity but should instead be part of the main curriculum. He believes this will provide opportunities for future generations to engage with the instrument at a deeper level and to build careers around it.

💡Global Influence

Global influence refers to the worldwide reach and impact of steelpan music, which has been growing beyond the Caribbean. Stewart highlights how the steelpan is being embraced internationally, with universities abroad offering degrees in steelpan studies and other countries advancing its development. He expresses pride in his role in this global expansion through his master classes and performances.

💡Youth Development

Youth development is an important theme in the video, as Stewart discusses how integrating the steelpan into schools would help nurture young talent. He believes that giving young people access to the instrument will foster a sense of national pride and cultural identity, and potentially lead to career opportunities in the arts and music industries.

💡Recording and New Music

In the video, Stewart mentions his plans to focus on recording new, original music. He talks about collaborating with musicians in France to create a solo album that will showcase his steelpan compositions. This new project highlights his desire to continue innovating in his musical career, contributing fresh material to the global steelpan repertoire.

Highlights

Duvon Stewart received the prestigious Hummingbird Silver Medal for Arts and Culture in Trinidad and Tobago.

Stewart expresses his gratitude for the support of his parents, family, friends, and supporters throughout his journey.

He credits the steel pan community for helping him achieve recognition, stating that the award is as much for them as for him.

Stewart is passionate about advancing the steel pan and believes it should be integrated into Trinidad and Tobago’s school system as part of the core curriculum, not just an extracurricular activity.

He emphasizes that although the steel pan is now the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, more steps are needed to fully develop its potential, especially in education.

Stewart points out the lack of local infrastructure, such as a drum factory, and the reliance on imports from Japan.

While proud of the steel pan's global impact, Stewart wants to see more local opportunities for young musicians in Trinidad and Tobago.

He calls on authorities to lay down a clear foundation for the future of the steel pan, beyond its designation as a national instrument.

Stewart speaks about his international experiences, teaching master classes and workshops abroad, but also expresses his desire to give back to his home country.

He plans to create opportunities for younger and older generations to learn the steel pan through classes in Tobago.

Stewart is working on a solo album with original music, collaborating with accomplished musicians in France, set to be released in 2025.

He reflects on the global recognition of the steel pan and the universities worldwide that offer degrees in steel pan music.

Stewart advocates for creating a thriving steel pan industry in Trinidad and Tobago, both culturally and economically.

He stresses that the national instrument should inspire a sense of pride and connection, and should not be limited to seasonal events like festivals.

Stewart is committed to spreading good music and positive energy globally, while continuing to contribute to Trinidad and Tobago's cultural landscape.

Transcripts

[Music]

put a smile on your

face when you're moving from place to

place place good morning good morning

morning good morning

morning welcome back to the morning show

here on Tobago updates television and

thank you so much for staying with us we

begin conversations this morning and we

speak with duvon Stewart and as you know

he's a panst a musical arranger and of

course making his mind

internationally and placing Tobago on

the world map uh duon recently received

humingbird silver award and we are going

to have conversations with him this

morning good morning dvon and

welcome all good morning to you and how

are you man I'm well thanks and I'm

happy to see you this morning and of

course let's start off by saying

congratulations of course well deserved

there receiving that award and you know

it's always a proud moment when we have

conversations with you because I know

how passionate you are about what you do

and the lives that you impact while you

do it so of course more than welld

deserving to you there uh let's get into

it how um how do you feel let's start

with that how do you feel after knowing

that you were going to received this

reward and having received

it um I was back from my International

St I was doing a lot of Master Class

lectures and workshops in Europe and I I

I came back home here in Trad and I was

just going through the

paces on my little down time I just

picked up my laptop and I was going

through my

emails and this particular email just

hit a button to click and open and I saw

a message you know dear D Stewart from

The Office of the President of TR and

Tobago and I said

what and I sat going down going I see H

but I jump up share and just start to

say thank you Father thank you Jesus

thank you Father thank you Jesus and I

was like so happy so so happy to be

recognized in this in this realm I know

so um I I was really deeply and I am

still deeply humbl and and um honored to

to receive the the hummingbird medal

silver um at the Trin and Tobago awards

for 2024 um this recognition means the

will to me and I could not have achieved

this without the unwavering support of

so many incredible people that came into

my life my parents my family my friends

my supporters I say thank you to them

for standing by my side for the love

encouragement and guidance and the time

they to believe in me that has bring out

the greatest strength that God has

blessed me with you know to my to my

supporters and to my loved ones um I'm

profoundly grateful for the confidence

that they have placed in me to see the

that I can do locally regionally and

internationally and it has become an

inspiration throughout my journey you

know but um to the steel pan fraternity

this recognition is as much for them as

equal for me and because without them

the Ste P fertility the pan players the

bands the the students at the University

you know they they took time and and

invest in having D in the space and I'm

really really grateful and thankful that

all these things come out so the love of

pan and the culture that we share has

fued my passion you know and I'm so

proud to be a part of a incredible

community that that that that tends to

support greatness of one of their own

sons

and absolutely absolutely andon you know

you speak so candidly about your life in

pan and how p p pan transformed your

life and the impact and influence it had

on your life uh to bring it to where you

are right now and knowing now that the

steel pan is the national instrument of

Trinidad and Tobago what does that do

for you in terms of knowing that this

particular instrument is so near and

dear to your heart and all that it has

done for you and now um it is the

national instrument of Trinidad and

Tobago why while while when that news

was um meet public know I was at in

London and I said okay it's it's a great

great deal and you know we have been

advocating for for this for many many

years and um the big question that

follows it now what next what are we

going to do next what are we going to

take from having the honor of the

instrument becoming the national

instrument that TR and Tobago um we we

need to ask again Ask ourself the big

question what next what are we going to

do and it's up to the powers that need

that that have the the capacity to to

lay down the the foundation of what is

next to be done you know so um the

instrument is in great hands they there

a lot of um

local local things that happen in on the

local scene very very good still um

still leave for improvement and for

anybody who knows me I always strongly

believe that this instrument supposed to

be in the school system fulltime not a

extra curriculum activity it's supposed

to be this on the curriculum for schools

we still have the record

as our music instrument to teach our

youths in TR and Tobago I would always

say it needs to come out and that's my

opinion in it and we need to create much

more for this instrument that is be

loved and respected by our people here

in Trad and Tobago so that we could take

this love and this connection that we

have and spread it globally because as

we presently speak the outer World they

are thriving they are doing great things

out there with the instrument and they

silently moving mountains with you know

there are universities that you could go

out there and get your grades and um

your diplomas your master degrees and

stuff and stuff like that we have it

here in TR and Tobago but when we have

all these thousands of students going

into UT or they go to university of the

West IND and they get the tuations from

these well qualified lecturers and they

come up with their grades qualified to

face the all of work there's nothing for

them here in TR and Tobago because the

steel p is not in the school system

so that's why I ask the question what's

next in making this instrument the

national instrument we still don't have

our Our Own Drum Factory we still have

to take time to import drums from Japan

we don't have time to say well where we

go again where we go next we have a lot

of a lot of questions that needs to be

asked and answered from the the the the

the hierarchies on top to make sure that

it's in a safe place because I'm only

here

for Panorama in Trinidad that's in the

beginning of the year and after that

there's nothing for me here to do in

trinad and Tobago I vent on onwards to

different countries different continents

teaching the instrument and I'm I'm

proud of what I do but I still want to

be back home to give back and to to shed

that that that fresh bread of air and to

give hope and and believe to the

upcoming generation that there's a place

where you can make yourself compatible

with this instrument God has blessed us

with and I think I you know I totally

agree with with you there and of course

you know the president of Panago Mrs

Beverly Ramsey MO is working ciously to

ensure that the pan gets that measure of

recognition and of course respect that

it requires and you know I feel as if um

you know we need to do something in

terms of the education of the pan the

history of the pan so that even from the

youngest to the greatest they have an

understanding and a great appreciation

for it um of course creating an industry

right here in Trinidad and Tobago as you

rightfully said so that people can enjoy

Embrace and of course um have that sense

of national pride not just because it's

not a national instrument but it is a

part of our culture um our everyday

lives not just seasonally for um you

know festivals and stuff like that so I

totally agree with you there but I have

a very serious question I want to ask

you du and this is coming from one of

our staff members here at the Tobago

updates television uh Studios and this

is by byana is saying hi she says hi to

you congratulations to you for winning

this um Award of course and she wants to

find out when are you going to start

having classes for the junior seniors

the young seniors so I'm trying to

figure out what is Young seniors and she

says 35 to 45 um years age group and

that is just you know a little bit of

fun and likeness here in the studio this

morning uh of course to ensure that that

age group also is um factored into the

development of the pan here on the

island of

Tobago um it's something I has talk

about to to come back home to to to have

my expertise being

blessed with the different age groups

that that that out there and um it's

just a matter of time when I have the

time to do it but I it's on the agenda

it's on the agenda to put on the um the

table to to put into motion and um I

will be gladly gladly um happy to to put

that that into into motion but it just

takes a little time you know to have it

because I'm fully occupied in doing a

lot of master classes lectures and

workshops abroad yearly you know um

coming back home just could be something

that I'm going to add on to the um the

itinerary but it's something that I'm

looking forward for to happen but rest

ass sure soon very good so I can pass

this message on to by so she knows that

you have made some measure of

commitments where that is concerned uh

duvon what is next for you what is next

for

duvon um right now I'm just done in my

recalibration

mindset um I will still continue to do

um master class and lectures globally I

will still continue to do um the the

work of arranging and comos for the

instrument but um what I want to take

some more time on is invest in some more

me time some more D your time you know I

want to do um some more new recordings

have some new music come out on the

shelves or on the streaming music

Network that is on the internet and

stuff like that so I'm I'm hard at work

behind the scene working with some well

accomplished musicians out in um out in

France and doing my my solo album uh

fully

original original music that is composed

by me and um that's supposed to be out

sometime in 2025 I don't know exactly

what day know but we still working on it

and just continue to spread good music

and Good Vibes and it's making everybody

feel happy knowing that yeah we boy do

anything outside still and and Making

Waves and doing things and contributing

to the landscape of of culture in TR and

Tobago absolutely absolutely anduo and

we want to send some good vibes your way

as well uh from all of us here at the

Tobago updates family we really

appreciate you we really appreciate what

you've been doing uh with the instrument

and for the island of Tobago and we are

so happy that you are still passionate

you know even after so many years

sometimes you can get tired and it's

really good that you're taking that time

for yourself you know to get back into

that space before you keep on producing

the good stuff that you do for all of us

um even internationally where people can

enjoy your talent so all the very best

for you to you in your future endeavors

and we hope to see more of you again

here in Trinidad and Tobago so have a

wonderful wonderful day and thank you so

much thank you very much for having me

all right ladies and gentlemen we've

been speaking with duvon st of course

hummingbird silver medal awarde uh for

arts and culture of course we know him

as a panst and a musical director uh we

have to go for a short break before we

continue conversations in studio this

morning and as we go we invite you to

help us share the live share the live

share the live we'll be right back

[Music]