Meet the Double Seconds
Lisa, playing pans since 2004
Day job: P/T Bookkeeper
Favorite songs to play: Love, Take Me to the River, Patricia, Fever
How did you get involved in PanJammers? Through a friend's reference.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Patience.... You are surrounded by folks who have been where you are. Have fun, relax and it will come.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? I have always loved the sound of the steel pan. It exudes happiness.
Other musical instruments played: Piano
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: Too many to name--I love all music but rap and heavy metal. Guess that shows my age.
Interests and hobbies: Tennis, triathlons, and always a good book to read.
Barbara, playing pans since 2005
Day job: Mom and volunteer. I have puppy-raised for St. Francis Service Dogs and currently I'm a puppy sitter.
Favorite songs to play: Salsa Verde, Dancero, El Cuarto de Tula
How did you get involved in PanJammers? Through 2 children who wanted to join.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Relax. Listen. Play when you can and follow along on the music where you can't. It will fit in to place eventually!
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? Playing when the band finds the groove and a song jells.
Other musical instruments played: Piano
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: Classical and sacred music
Interests and hobbies: Love to read and hike.
Curt, playing pans since 2007
Day job: Research Associate, Entomology Department, Virginia Tech
Favorite songs to play: Easy Does It, Love, La Bamba, Stand By Me, El Diablo, My Girl, Can't Help Falling in Love, Louie Louie, and on and on!
How did you get involved in PanJammers? After the 2006 Summer Arts Festival performance on Henderson Lawn, I was dragged down to the stage by a curious 2 year old who wanted to "play." When I saw that the notes inside the pan and on the music were labeled (I can't read music), it occurred to me that just maybe I could do this. Six months later I "walked on." I’m still telling myself that maybe I can do this!
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Don’t be intimidated by an entire song--break it down, learn a bit at a time, listen to the veterans. Have fun. Let the music protect you. Be the pan.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? The whole group--every practice is a joyful event. When we perform in front of an audience for an hour, it seems like 5 minutes.
Other musical instruments played: Air guitar
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: John Fogerty, Neil Young, Bonnie Raitt, Nils Lofgren, Mavis Staples, Jackson Browne. Blues, rock and roll
Interests and hobbies: Softball, yoga, gardening.
Patricia, playing pans since 2010
Day job: Chemistry professor at Virginia Tech
Favorite songs to play: 5th of Beethoven, Iko Iko, and Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
How did you get involved in PanJammers? I joined a Feel the Steel class after seeing PanJammers perform at Summer Solstice.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Learning to play is worth the effort; keep practicing; it can be slow at first, but playing gets easier with time.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? Being part of a band.
Other musical instruments played: Piano
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: I like Christian praise music (Chris Tomlin, Twila Paris, Michael W. Smith). I also like balladeers like Gordon Lightfoot and I like classical music.
Interests and hobbies: Reading, swimming, biking, and hiking
Alice, playing pans since 2011
Day job: RU Administrator
Favorite songs to play: Cachita, Sarah, Trinidad Blue Basin
How did you get involved in PanJammers? Quest Academy (participating in Feel the Steel beginner band)
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Keep the faith.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? The sound makes me feel like I am vacationing in the Caribbean every Monday evening.
Other musical instruments played: The radio
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: Eclectic - rock n roll, reggae, jazz, oldies, beach music, classical
Interests and hobbies: Old black and white classic movies, anything outdoors, and food.
Eileen, playing pans since 2011
Day job: Science writer and editor
Favorite songs to play: Dancero, Cachita, Como Ves, La Bamba
How did you get involved in PanJammers? I first saw PanJammers in concert about three years ago at a local venue. They appeared to be having great fun playing together and making great music. In 2010, I joined a beginner band (Feel the Steel) to see if I could learn to play without ever having had any formal training in music. In early 2011, PanJammers invited Feel the Steel to join them. Now, we are ALL having great fun playing together and making great music!
What advice would you give to a new pan player? With patience and practice, you can learn to play at any age.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? I can create beautiful sounds with the pans while being part of a terrific band of talented, fun-loving people.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: I’ve been listening to rock n roll for the past 40+ years. I currently enjoy classic rock (Eric Clapton, Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Hot Tuna, Little Feat, Talking Heads), instrumentals (Pat Metheny, Al DiMeola, Andy Narrell), and contemporary musicians (Cold Play, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, Green Day, Snow Patrol, Blue October, Norah Jones).
Interests and hobbies: I enjoy gardening, needlework, cooking, and computers.
Meet the Double Tenors
Charles, playing pans since 2005
Day job: Co-owner, Heavener Hardwar
Favorite songs to play: I'm not really partial. I like most of our music.
How did you get involved in PanJammers? With my son Tim as an interest in percussion.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Have fun. Be patient. Don't be hard on yourself.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? I like the whole experience
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: I like most music. (Not a fan of country.)
Interests and hobbies: Karate, reading.
Emily, playing pans since 2009
Day job: At home with my 3 children
Favorite songs to play: Salsa Verde, 5th of Beethoven
How did you get involved in PanJammers? I saw a performance and the music geek in me was immediately hooked.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? If you don't have a drum to practice on "make" one. :) A piece of poster board, a "map" of your drum, a Sharpie and voila!
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? The challenge of learning a new instrument.
Other musical instruments played: A myriad of percussion stuff and my voice. :)
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: I love just about anything (except country... sorry.)
Interests and hobbies: Reading, sports
