The Afro-Caribbean Steel and Brass Orchestra
“A Symphony of Culture and Connection Across the Diaspora”
Saturday, April 18
At the Prior-Jollek Hall, Antilles Campus, St. Thomas
Honoring its musical heritage and shaping the future.
Under the direction of Dion Parson, The Afro-Caribbean Steel and Brass Orchestra is a crosscultural large ensemble blending steel pan traditions, jazz brass and winds, and African-Caribbean rhythms to bring the musical stories of the diaspora to life through powerful, story-driven performance.
Rooted in rhythmic traditions such as African drumming, Caribbean forms, New Orleans jazz, and Western classical music, the orchestra creates new works that reflect the living continuum of the diaspora. Through performances, recordings, and educational engagement, the ensemble fosters crosscultural understanding, celebrates community histories, and advances an inclusive, globally resonant orchestral voice.
“An orchestra born from the winds of history and the fire of the Caribbean”
Event Schedule
6 p.m. — Courtyard Opens with meals from Chef Nibbs & Wine/Desserts from Amalia Café
7 p.m. — Concert Begins
Tickets: Adults $30, Teachers $10, Students $5 and Children under 10 years old are for Free but need a ticket to secure a seat
Ticket Sale Online & information:
Visit our website: www.theforumusvi.org
Or Google: The Forum – Promotix
Email: theforumusvi@gmail.com
Phone: (646) 725-3353
Venue
PJ Hall, Antilles School Campus, St. Thomas
Afro-Caribbean Steel & Brass Orchestra
Directed by Dion Parson
The Afro-Caribbean Steel & Brass Orchestra is a groundbreaking large ensemble project and marks the premiere of a bold new musical vision rooted in the performance traditions of the African diaspora.
Conceived and directed by internationally acclaimed musician, educator, and cultural ambassador Dion Parson, the orchestra brings together a dynamic 14-piece ensemble that bridges the sonic worlds of steel pan, jazz brass, and African-Caribbean rhythm.
Featuring three steel pan voices, three master hand drummers, brass and woodwinds, and a full rhythm section, the ensemble reimagines what an orchestra can be merging the structural depth of a jazz big band with the harmonic richness of Caribbean traditions and the pulse of Afro-Latin and African rhythms.
This is not a traditional symphonic model.
It is a living, breathing ensemble designed for storytelling through sound.
Through original compositions, improvisation, and culturally rooted arrangements, the AfroCaribbean Steel & Brass Orchestra creates an immersive experience that moves fluidly across genres, geographies, and generations. Each performance is both a concert and a conversation—connecting audiences to the shared histories and evolving expressions of the diaspora.
As a premiere project, the orchestra represents a significant artistic milestone, offering a fresh and necessary voice within today’s global music landscape—one that is as intellectually grounded as it is rhythmically alive.
Band Members:
Brandon Bain (St. Vincent & Granada) – Vocals
Ron Blake (U.S. Virgin Islands) – Tenor/Flute
Sherwin Williams (U.S. Virgin Islands) – Alto Sax
Melvin Jones (Tennessee)– Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Jeffery Miller (New Orleans) – Trombone
Eljhaie Brathwaithe (U.S. Virgin Islands) – Steel Pan
Ronald Lee (U.S. Virgin Islands) – Double Guitar Pan
Le’ Roi Simmonds (U.S. Virgin Islands) – Double Seconds
Carlton Holmes (New Mexico) – Piano / Keys
Uriel Rogers (U.S. Virgin Islands) – Bass
Alioune Faye (Senegal) – African Perc 1
Backa Niang (Senegal) – African Perc 2
Danny Sadownick (Bronx, New York)- Latin Percussion
Dion Parson (U.S. Virgin Islands) – Drums
JahQuan Richards (U.S. Virgin Islands) – Engineer
Torian (U.S. Virgin Islands) – Assistant Engineer
Countries / Islands of Musical Reference for our Musical Sound Stories
1. Senegal (West Africa)
2. Trinidad and Tobago (Soca / Calypso)
3. Martinique and Guadeloupe – (Zuke / Compa)
4. Tortola (British Virgin Islands) – Funji Music
5. St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands) – Quelbe / Soca / Calypso
6. Puerto Rico. – Bomba or Plena or Salsa
7. Haiti. – Compa / Cadance
8. Santo Domingo – Merengue or Salsa
9. Jamaica – Ska / Reggae – One Drop / Dancehall
10. Cuba. – Clave / Sango
11. New Orleans
