The "The Real Gunslingers" Story

A practice session for the "Gunslingers".  My photo is blurry,
since the place is dimly lit and there was movement.

It was an ordinary day.  Walking the main street in Grand Case, the culinary capital of the Caribbean, when I came across a very unassuming building.  Building was rocking with the sound of steel drum music emanating through the corner doors that were covered with metal fencing.  Seems the building is home to a group known on the island as the "Gunslingers" who happen to be a Steel Drum Band.  

The "Gunslingers" during Harmony Night in Grand Case.

Carol and I walked around to the side of the building and got to witness them practicing a song.  Tried a few photos, but the lighting was too dark and my flash wasn't strong enough for the distance they were from my camera.  But, we still were treated to some of the best music that can be found in the Caribbean.  

A Fish Day performance.

The steel drum has a rich history in the Caribbean.  In 1954 the "Gunslingers" were created and today they are not only a steel drum group, but a school of music and an association on the island of St. Martin.  Performance, music theory and chords with rigorous discipline are taught in the building in Grand Case.  In order for a student to continue in the the group they must maintain good grades in their regular school.  While in the group they learn the basics of musique, solfege and notes and chords.  The first steel drum or pan was brought to St. Martin in the early 1950s when Frederic Walwin came to the island looking for work.  His pan fascinated the islanders and shortly a group known as the Jamboree Boys was begun.  

Some of the original "Gunslingers".  Click to enlarge.

Eventually the name was changed to the "Gun- slingers".  The pan itself is a percussion instrument that originated in Trinidad and Tobago and was made from the large metal drum that transported oil.  The empty drum were cut in half and the length of the sides that remained determined the pitch of the drum.  The top was hammered into facets that could refine the sound for specific notes.  Today most of the drums are made from sheet metal.  Carol and I have heard the group play on Fish Day as well as the Grand Case "Harmony Night" held every Wednesday evening in the high season.  Check out the video and see if you don't agree that the music is fantastic.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.