A Review by JT Snags


Utopia Pan Soul: The Next Generation again demonstrated why they
are one of the most promising and exciting music performing groups
in New York. Bolstered by playwright Michael Roberts and classical
pannist Andréa Rose, Utopia Pan Soul continues to successfully move
the art form of pan into new arenas with talent and vision.


On Sunday January 4, 2004 Utopia performed as part of the Sunday
Concerts at Central series sponsored by the Folk Arts Program at
Queens Council on The Arts.


The audience was treated to a special performance mixed with drama,
theatre and comedy. Moreover, Utopia demonstrated both the
versatility of the steelpan instrument and their musicians as they
skillfully navigated seamlessly through a set mixed with pop, jazz,
calypso, and classical music to the delight of the mixed audience.

The show opened with a moving rendition of Louis Armstrong's What a
Wonderful World featuring Marlon Guerra on Tenor pan and pannist
Andréa Rose. The band then moved through a series of crowd
pleasers which included Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes "Wake Up
Everybody" - which displayed the group's ability to be equality
adept at playing cool jazz to popular music. Popular standards like
The Theme from The Odd Couple" and "I'm Telling You Flat" featuring
playwright Michael Rogers' spoken word accompaniment received
rousing applause.


Rogers dropped his brand of science, history and currents news
through his skillful maneuverings and merged his command of the
spoken word. Indeed, the audience left educated in facets of
steelpan culture. On hand were such notables as Dr. L. Grant author
and promoter who found the performance to be both entertaining and
motivating.

Utopia Pan Soul left the demanding New York crowd who been used to
great performances begging for more. Indeed, they are "The Next
Generation"...

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