While rooted in Caribbean pan tradition, Southpaw Isle continually stretches the limits of the steelband sound. The group's repertoire includes jazz, classical, samba, calypso, and original compositions. As the only non-Caribbean ensemble to perform at the 2004 World Steelband Festival in Trinidad, Southpaw Isle is truly dedicated to this amazing melodic-percussion instrument. The group's newly released CD, "Southpaw Isle Steelband Live in Concert: The Music of Astor Piazzolla Plus 5" is available on the Jumbie Records Label. Their first CD, "Carol of the Pans," is also available (http://www.cdbaby.com/southpawisle).
Diverse Repertoire
In December 2005, the group presented the world premier of “A Caribbean Christmas Mass” for orchestra, chorus, and steelband by Glenn McClure. The Warren Symphony commissioned this genre-bending work after Southpaw Isle wowed audiences in the previous season with their performance of Deborah Teason’s “Trinity, Concerto for Steelband and Orchestra".
Educational Programming
The group has also presented workshops, assemblies, and educational concerts for students of all ages, including two sold-out performances as part of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Tiny Tots Concert Series at the Max M. Fisher Music Center.
