Meet the Leads
Barbara, playing pan since 2016
Day job: Administrative Assistant, Virginia TechFavorite songs to play: Oye Como Va
How did you get involved in PanJammers? I have always enjoyed PanJammers at community events. Several years back, a coworker/friend retired and joined PanJammers. I thought, "HOW COOL IS THAT?" That was my plan. But finally I decided--why wait for retirement?
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Too early for that.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? I like to learn new things and I love music. Learning to play just one song was so exciting.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: Classic rock, blues, oldies, Latin, Broadway--especially loud and/or live! Current favorites are Santana Keb Mo, Wicked and Jersey Boys soundtracks
Interests and hobbies: Hiking, reading, walking my dog, listening to NPR, movies at the Lyric, dancing, learning Spanish, camping, traveling
Ben, playing pan since 2006
Favorite songs to play: Iko Iko, Sarah, Como Ves
How did you get involved in PanJammers? Laureen made me do it.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Everyone in the band has had a moment where they thought, "This is impossible and I am stupid because I cannot do it!" But you can do it, usually about five minutes after you have that moment.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? The music is happy and upbeat. Even the songs about getting in brawls and how that girl will never go out with you are happy and upbeat.
Other musical instruments played: Banjo and electric bass. Pans: double second and bass.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: My early love of German industrial music has informed my decision to spend a great deal of my free time banging on a metal thing with a stick. I also prefer Fat Elvis to Skinny Elvis.
Interests and hobbies: Martial arts, painting, building furniture
Christine, playing pan since 2006
Day job: Magazine writerFavorite songs to play: Anything by Boogsie Sharpe; on double second, anything with a montuno
How did you get involved in PanJammers? My friend Laureen suggested I join.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Hang in there! Play what you can and try to add a little each week. Congratulate yourself for improvements, but don’t scold yourself for what you missed. If possible, borrow or rent a pan to practice on. Most of all, enjoy being part of a band!
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? When we play something really well and hit a groove, it's exhilarating.
Other musical instruments played: Piano and clarinet. Pans: double tenor and double second.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: Too many to list!
Interests and hobbies: Karate, photography, history, hiking
Dave, playing pan since 2005
Day job: Professor of Microbiology, Virginia TechFavorite songs to play: El Cuarto de Tula, Patricia, Dancero, 5th of Beethoven
How did you get involved in PanJammers? After seeing a concert, our whole family joined for a summer workshop. Over the years, the others dropped out due to leaving for college or school/sports time commitments, but I have stuck with it.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? On the lead pan, once a simple song becomes easy for you, force yourself to play more of the notes with your “off” hand (left hand for me). As songs get harder, having the muscle memory in that hand for hitting additional notes will make things much easier.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? I spend WAY too much time in my office chair these days, so the more opportunities I have to dance the better. And to dance in public no less, much to the embarrassment of my teenagers.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: Classic rock of all types.
Interests and hobbies: Running, travel
Donna, playing pan since 2008
Favorite songs to play: Sarah, Louie Louie, Cachita, Trinidad Blue Basin
How did you get involved in PanJammers? My son and daughter-in-law took me to the summer workshop.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Be patient and have a sense of humor (or you will get frustrated!)
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? Being with all the other drummers.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: I love oldies (50's and 60's).
Interests and hobbies: Playing with my granddaughter, gardening, reading, crossword puzzles
Jan, playing pan since 2008
Favorite songs to play: La Bamba, Salsa Verde, Patricia
How did you get involved in PanJammers? Through a summer Feel the Steel class.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Be patient with yourself - everyone starts out not knowing anything and feeling a bit lost, but it passes quickly!
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? The music and the other band members - such a great group of people.
Other musical instruments played: The radio ;)
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: It's pretty hard to beat 1960s and 1970s music - a great era!
Interests and hobbies: Running, walking my dog, hiking, reading, meditating
Jody, playing pan since 2006
Favorite songs to play: El Cuarto de Tula, Iko Iko
How did you get involved in PanJammers? My son joined and then I followed because it looked fun!
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Stick with it. If I can do it, you can! And you don't have to play every note!
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? Joyful music
Other musical instruments played: My iPod
Interests and hobbies: Golf and vintage stuff
John, playing pan since 2011
Favorite songs to play: Dancero, Cachita
How did you get involved in PanJammers? I saw the group perform at the Hahn Garden Gala on the Virginia Tech campus in 2010. I joined a beginning group in August 2010.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Practicing scales helps.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? I respond to the happy sounds of the drums and the clear rhythms provided by the interactions of the instruments.
Other musical instruments played: I have played the violin but not for many years. I enjoy singing (tenor) with our church choir.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: I enjoy classical music best then standard jazz.
Interests and hobbies: I am a tutor with Literacy Volunteers, NRV. I enjoy gardening, cooking, reading, and sharing leadership and teaching at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Christiansburg.
Jonas, playing pan since 2011
Favorite songs to play: Como Ves, Dancero, Cachita
How did you get involved in PanJammers? I saw PanJammers player several times, joined Feel the Steel summer 2010, then joined PanJammers in February 2011.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Don't get discouraged. I learned 6 songs in 6 months.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? Pan music sounds so happy, and nothing is better than live music, especially when you get to be a part of it.
Other musical instruments played: I played piano many, many years ago.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: Pink Floyd is my all time favorite. I enjoy listening to Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Talking Heads and lots of other classic rock. I like a variety of contemporary rock groups.
Interests and hobbies: Gardening, building things
Kathryn, playing pan since 2010
Favorite songs to play: La Bamba, 5th of Beethoven, Green Onions, and Smooth
How did you get involved in PanJammers? Through a former beginner's band called Feel the Steel.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Be patient, it gets easier. Try playing one note instead of two at first, or focus on getting a couple of notes from a part that's difficult. Then add on to it when you're ready.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? It's something I look forward to each week, a nice stress reliever. And we have lots of fun!
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: I will listen to most anything! Not a big fan of rap or opera, though.
Interests and hobbies: cooking and baking, traveling, watching sports, being outside
Wendy, playing pan since 2014
Day job: Retired demographer, active grandmother, community volunteerFavorite songs to play: Iko Iko, El Cuarto de Tula, 5th of Beethoven, Caravan, Smooth
How did you get involved in PanJammers? If you had asked me a couple of years ago what are the 500 things you might do in retirement, playing a steel drum would not have been on the list. Now, playing with the band is at the top! I heard the band play at a Mt. Tabor Ruritan Club Fish Fry and the music was great and the band seemed to be having a terrific time playing. Information about the band said they welcomed new members, so I took them up on it. I did have to retire and move to Blacksburg but totally worth it. And there are amazing grandchildren here in Blacksburg.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Patience and enjoy yourself. The first concert I played, I could play about 10% of the notes, but each time I play, it gets better. The band was so supportive and I live by the motto: "Play what you can, fake what you can't."
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? The music is energizing; there are no bad songs in the repertoire. The band members are a fun, diverse and all around great group. Our leader is amazing--skilled and patient--she brings out the best in us. There is nothing like performing for a live audience. You see how people respond to the music and it is happy music. Many seem amazed at the sound that can come from steel drums.
Other musical instruments played: Cello and flute, but it was a really long time ago!
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: Everything the band plays, classic rock, Beatles, Cesario Evora, Janis Joplin, Santana, classical orchestral. Lots of different types.
