Afro Caribbean – Jazz – Rock
Tropicalfete & PanRoots Culture presents Greatness!
The Big 3:
Join us as we celebrate renowned cultural historian Keith Marcelle’s, Birthday on August 10, 2024 from 7 pm at Tropicalfete’ Cultural Landmark located on 850 New York Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11203 as we rock your world with the 3 best double seconds players in the world. Afro Caribbean, Jazz and Rock will be plaged!
The Big 3:
Khan Cordice! Kareem Thompson! Jonathan Scale!
Purchase your tickets now on Eventbrite and get a chance to reserve a table for only $10! Let us serve you by bringing your drinks and food to you!
For more information, please email us at info@tropicalfete.com or call us at 646-504-3383 ext.’s 723 or 712
Get to know more about them!
KHAN MC EVANS TED CORDICE
Khan M T Cordice (Master of Music – M.M., Bachelor of Arts – B.A.), born in the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, is a Steelpan musician, composer, arranger and educator. Over the years, Khan has attained many accolades in the Art world and continues to climb the stairs of success, with great humility. These accolades range from solo and large Panorama competitions, to solo and ensemble performances in the Caribbean, Dubai, Japan, the U.S and the UK. His prowess also extends to educational development in numerous community-based programmes in Antigua and featured clinician at development programmes across the world.
Khan began advanced studies in Music in 2009, at the Creative Arts center at the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies, where he pursued a degree in Musical Arts. In October of 2012, Khan graduated with honors and was the recipient of the Beryl McBurnie, prize for best all round student, and was also the recipient of the Newman Alexander top music student. Music for Khan seems to be the gift that keeps on giving, as he was privileged to receive a graduate assistantship from Northern Illinois University to continue his studies in music in a Masters program headed by Professor Liam Teague and the Legendary Clifford Alexis. In the spring semester of 2013, can was one of six students to receive the University Fellowship awarded to outstanding graduate students across the university.
In 2009, at 19 years old, Khan was noticed by many enthusiasts by becoming one of the youngest pan arrangers to win Antigua’s National Panorama, with his arrangement of Swallow’s Party in Space, for the Hells Gate Steel Orchestra. Since 2009, Khan won the National Panorama championship as arranger 9 times with the Hells Gate Steel Orchestra out of a possible 12 becoming the most decorated National Panorama Arranger in Antigua and Barbuda.
As a performer, Khan has adapted and performed works by Beethoven, Bach, Mendelsohn, Mozart, Vivaldi, Coltrane, Parker, Monk. Teague, Sharpe, Narell (just to name a few) and has shared the stage with industry leaders such as Wycliffe Gordon, Robert Greenridge, Etienne Charles, Liam Teague, Len Sharpe, Duvonne Stewart and many more. Khan is also the 2nd place winner in the 2020 international Pan Ramajay. Khan continues to showcase Antigua and Barbuda the world over with his recent accomplishment being one of the first Drillers to work with a large steel orchestra in Trinidad and Tobago placing in the top 3 position. More recently, Khan has pushed the boundaries of the instrument by being invited to perform in venues such as Buckingham Palace, Pan American Health Organization headquarters in Washington DC, leading the contingent at Dubai EXPO 2020 and many more. As a composer, Khan has written for a range of soloists, ensembles and large steel orchestras and in 2023 world premiered a 6-movement piece entitled “Shades of My Caribbean” commissioned by Michael Mizma and the San Jacinto College.
Khan gives willingly to community and youth development. Since the age of 15, Khan has been a tutor at the Eustace Manning Henry Steelpan Academy and still tutors currently. He has worked alongside committees and community groups on projects such as recitals, numerous competitions and annual showcases and currently teaches music to 7 different community-based youth classes at Hells Gate Steel Orchestra, Le Château d’or Music academy and privately.
As a tutor of many of Antigua’s young music talents, Khan hopes to raise the standard of steelpan performances and entertainment by nurturing the next generation of creatives and providing platforms and opportunities for many others to showcase.
Kareem Thompson
Artist/Educator/Producer
Kareem Thompson, a professional steel pannist, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY by his Trinidadian grandparents. While in elementary school Kareem started playing the steel pan, an instrument his grandfather played while in Trinidad in the early 1960’s with Highlanders Steel Orchestra. Kareem attended Florida Memorial University after graduating from Brooklyn High School of the Arts. After attending Florida Memorial University for 3 years, he decided to transfer and attend the world renown Berklee College of Music in Boston MA. Kareem graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2013.
Kareem has toured the United States and the Caribbean and has recorded an album entitled “Pan Roots Culture” in which he released in 2017. Currently Kareem is teaching at Berklee College of Music and continuing to perform and tour the world. He has performed with and along side 50 Cent, Ludacris, Etienne Charles, Elan Trotman and at The White House, Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center and many numerous venues around the world. Kareen is currently a teaching / performing artist with Tropicalfete.
www.kareemthompsonmusic.com
You’ve heard this before, but the whimsically named Jonathan Scales Fourchestra is really tough to describe. Veering from in-your-face, jaw dropping chops and passion, to those quiet moments when the background noise disappears and you hold your breath to take in a soundscape of solitude, the power trio of electric bass (E’Lon JD), drums (Maison Guidry), and steel pans (Jonathan Scales) combines elements of jazz, classical, and progressive rock, peppered with Latin rhythms and soulful outbursts of funk. From club and festival stages across North America and Europe, and tours of Africa, Southeast and Central Asia as a Cultural Ambassador for the US Department of State, to their NPR Tiny Desk Concert featuring Béla Fleck, the Fourchestra’s live shows make even the most jaded listeners forget where they are… even if just for a precious moment. (written by Tom Baggott)
Keith Anthony Marcelle
Keith Anthony Marcelle, born at home in Success Village, Laventille Trinidad, August 7th, 1959. Attended Rosary Boys RC School, Osmand High School and St. Georges Comprehensive High School in Trinidad, migrated to Brooklyn, NY April of 1974.
Attended Sarah J. Hale High School, New York City Community College. Worked numerous Private Security Companies, in 1987 started Working with Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation, held the position of Security Supervisor until 2008, moved on Sesame Flyers International Inc. as Security Supervisor until 2010 then had to resign due to health related issues.
As a young boy growing up in Laventille quite naturally was a fan of Forsyth Hylanders Steel Orchestra. Was introduced to pan in Brooklyn by Jan Steadman in 1978, Crossfire Steel Orchestra, in 1979 moved to Silhouettes Steel Orchestra until 1987, during that time rose to the rank of Vice Captain, in 1988 started working with Sesame Flyers Int. Inc. Youth Steel Band program, in 1991 became Manager of Sesame Flyers Steel Orchestra and held that position in till 2010.
In 1985 was part of a representative body of Steel Band leaders who negotiated an agreement with B’s Enterprises to participate in the Panorama of that year held at Old Boys High Field.
In 1987 became part of a coalition of Steel Band representatives forming Pantrinbago North American Region, elected to the position of Trustee in 1988, then later in 1992 Vice Chairperson.
In 2000 appointed Interim Chairperson of United Steelband Association (USA) which in 2001 was renamed United States Steelband Association (USSA) formally elected to Chairperson in early 2001, served in that capacity until 2003, was reelected to the position Chairperson in 2009 served until 2014.
In 2000 was elected to the Board of Directors of Sesame Flyers International Inc. until 2008, one term as Secretary.
Since 2018 sits on the Board of Directors of Tropical Fete Inc. also in the capacity of Director of Steelband Affairs.
Met and fell in love with wife Theresa Payne in 1982 in Silhouettes Steel Orchestra, got married in 1991, they have two wonderful adult children Keith(KJ) and Roshumba-Rose(Rosie or Empress)
