Steel Drum Bands-

General Information

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If you are interested in booking any group below, email us, and we will IMMEDIATELY check on availability and pricing. Olympic Productions is a full service booking agency. We find, and contract entertainers for all types of events.

Tel: (206) 634-1142
Toll Free : (866) 634-1142
Email: Edrums@aol.com

For specific steel band information, click on your region:

(see below for general information)

East Coast

Midwest

Pacific Northwest (WA and Oregon)

Southeast

Southwest

West Coast (California)

Other Countries (United Kingdom)

All Steel Bands-complete list

 

How do I book a STEEL DRUM BAND?

Thanks for your interest in using Olympic Productions for booking musical entertainment for your next event. The following is some general information about the various steel bands OP books. (You will be tested on this materials at the end of the exam!)

What is a steel drum?

A steel drum is made from 55 gallon drums cut and hammered into tuned notes. The origins of steel drum music come from the Southern Caribbean, specifically Trinidad and Tobago around WWII. There are steel band orchestras that can have literally hundreds of musicians, with incredible arrangements of folk and even classical music!

What kinds of music do steel bands play?

Most of the listed bands play a variety of Caribbean music that might include Calypso, Reggae, Brazilian Samba, Soca, and other styles. Folk music and modern popular music might alse be featured. Harry Belafonte popularized Calypso folk music ("Day-O") in the 50s and 60s. There is also a huge repertoire of contemporary steel drum music from the Caribbean. Modern steel players like Andy Narell and bands like Spyro Gyra created fusions of jazz and latin styles. Pop tunes and light classical arrangements are also in many steel band repertoires. Some bands specialize in one or more of the above styles. Calypso and Reggae are especially danceable styles and vary from slow to fast tempos.

How big is a steel band?

A classic steel band consists of at least 4 or more players featuring a variety of size steel drums from lead pans (melody), mid-size pans (chords and harmony), and bass pans (very large 55 gallon drums). Also, percussion can be added using congas, bongos, timbales, cow-bells, and shakers, and/or drumset. A good drumset player can sound like many players at once. Larger groups are better for dances, weddings, and up-tempo affairs. All of these sizes can be fine for festivals, and general events.

Solo/Duo/Trio: Modern more economical and easier to transport, smaller steel groups can consist of 1, 2 or 3 players using pre-recorded back-up tracks or keyboards for chords, bass and percussion parts. A P.A. system or small amplifiers are needed for electronics (a band may need an AC plug). The big advantage, is that you do not need the large "bass pans" that require trucks for moving! Smaller groups are appropriate for events that require simple warm weather "atmosphere", such as small parties and promotional events. Modern electronics have created very high quality instrumental sounds, that are nearly unmistakable for the real instruments.

What if I want jazz and rock as well at my event?

One possible alternative to a steel band can be other instruments, such as the vibraphone, marimba or keyboards performing a "Caribbean" or "Latin" variety of music. We book a few groups that do this, and can be an excellent alternative, expecially if a steel drum group is unavailable, or there is a need for a wider variety of music (jazz, rock, etc.) Weddings often are more successful, if the band can accomodate a variety of musical tastes. A combination of a steel band and a DJ can also offer a complete evening of entertainment.

How long should I book a band?

Wedding ceremonies generally last 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Wedding receptions, and private parties generally last 2-4 hours. It is better to book a bit longer that less, especially if it's a dance! An extra hour can generally be added on for an additional reasonable fee (unless the group has to be somewhere else.) Ocassionally groups will be booked for 1 or 2 hours, but you may pay nearly as much as 3 or 4 hours. Getting there, and setting up is a big part of the cost.

O.K. How much does a steel band cost?

The cost of a steel drum solo or group can be anywhere between approximately $350.00-3500.00 depending on size of group, location of event (travel distance), loading ease, time of day, day of week, or even time of year. These bands are extremely in demand, and should be booked well ahead of time (weeks or months ahead). These groups are especially booked in the summer months for festivals, weddings and private parties.

Typical prices: IMPORTANT NOTE: These prices are estimated for your event budgeting and are not price quotes . Some areas of the U.S. (East Coast. Florida) are a bit more expensive than other areas of the country.

Solo (One-Man Band): $350-750.00

Duo (Two-Man Band): $500-1000.00

Trio (Three-Man Band): $750-1500.00

Quartet (Four-Man Band): $1000-2500.00 (AND UP)

STEEL BANDS can have up to 10 players!

STEEL ORCHESTRAS can have up to 100 players!

When setting a budget, compare the cost of music to food per person. You might be surprised that the music is much less expensive. What do you remember from an event, the food or the music?

Enough already, what do I do next?

Look over the materials about the bands that are featured. We can find out who's available. Remember, a band can get booked at anytime, so it is always better to confirm your music as soon as possible.

1) We can FAX (preferable), E-mail, or send more information. If you do not have a FAX machine, there is usually a KINKOS nearby that we can FAX to. We can play music over the phone, or send recordings (this is costly and more difficult because we have so many bands).

2) If a band is available, we will FAX or send a contract. You should FAX or send it back. A deposit should be sent as soon as possible to OP. The balance can be payable to the band, at the start of the event (it can get stressful trying to find the person with the check after the event has started). Ocassionally, bands will directly contract with the client, especially if it is last minute. Olympic Productions receives a commission (usually between 10 and 20%, depending on the contract arrangements, and total cost). The commission is usually in the form of a deposit, payable with the signed contract.

3) You can get in touch with the band after signing a contract. We will give you contact numbers to get all parking and loading instructions worked out. After that, it's LIMBO TIME!

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Contact us!

In general, we involved in many aspects of music, especially percussion and rhythmic related. We have vast databases of musicians and music related companies. Please feel free to contact us and let us know if there is anything you would like to know about in the world of music, especially percussion!