Read Janaya Pickett’s report, ‘PIONEERS OF PAN: The History and Legacy of the Trinidad All-Steel Percussion Orchestra to dive deeper into the story.
Southbank Centre commissioned Culture& to recruit and work with researcher-in-residence Janaya Pickett to explore underrepresented and marginalised aspects of cultural heritage. This research is key to the Southbank Centre Archive’s mission, to enable democratic access to their archives, as a source of information and inspiration for everyone.
Image Caption: Bajan Lieutenant Joseph Nathaniel Griffith conducts the Trinidad All-Steel Percussion Orchestra during their first public performance at the Festival of Britain, Southbank Centre, London, UK, 26th July 1951; Credit, photo by Raymond Kleboe, courtesy of Getty Images Black History and Culture Collection.
The Rhythm of History: A Trinidad All-Steel Percussion Orchestra Sharing Event
Credit, photo by Raymond Kleboe, courtesy of Getty Images Black History and Culture Collection.
Fri 3 Oct 2025, 6 – 8pm, Archive Studio, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall
Kinetika Bloco, a youth music charity, channelled the vibrant energy of the steel drums in a performance anticipating the 75th anniversary of a historic moment in Britain’s history.
Professor Haroun N. Shah shared fascinating histories of steelpan, TASPO, and Carnival arts.
A pop-up exhibition showcased photos of the TASPO members performing at the Festival of Britain, 26th July 1951, from the Getty Images Black History and Culture Collection.