The Yaa Sessions – Ebony Steel Band: The Open Fund for Organisations
Steel band music is still mainly associated with Caribbean sounds and the carnival festivals. This project aims to introduce more audiences to the rich and varied repertoire of the steel drum. The project also seeks to demonstrate to the young musicians that collaboration can be a great tool for creative success and that it can help the young emerging music creators to discover new styles, grow their repertoire and inspire them to new creative heights.
Ebony will be working with various artists of different genres (Jazz, Classical, Grime, Experimental) to create original works of music which will be performed at a series of concerts, video productions and screenings.
Ebony was formed in 1969 and has been participating in Notting Hill Carnival since its inception. Ebony has participated in carnivals both nationally and internationally in Luton, Reading, Birmingham and other UK carnivals and in Europe and Africa.
Ebony has won the national steelpan competition ‘Panorama’ 21 times and has performed with distinction at the International Festival of Steelbands in Trinidad.
Notable concerts have included performing in concert with Billy Ocean and other guest artists at the Albert Hall and a televised performance at the Memorial Service for the Grenfell Tower victims at St Paul’s Cathedral.
As Part of the Princes’ Trust celebrations, the band have played before the Queen and received her Majesty’s Unsung Heroes Award for the great work they do in the community.