Early on Tuesday (July 26th), feeds across Trinidad and Tobago’s users’ social media platforms began showing the revelation that on this day, 71 years ago, The Trinidad All Steelpan Percussion Orchestra performed at the Festival of Britain. In 1971, the date marked the world’s introduction to the steelpan and ultimately, a new music genre.
To commemorate the occasion, Google reached out to T&T based artist, Nicholas Huggins. Together with fellow creatives, Mick See who did the motion design for the project, music composer Etienne Charles and ace steelpan arranger, Len Boogsie Sharp, a Google Doodle on Steelpan was created and delivered to the world.
Online at GoogleDoodles, a highlight of today’s Steelpan anniversary is documented. It notes the rise of the steelpan as an instrument, dating its history from slavery of Africans in Trinidad and Tobago, to today’s global appreciation for the only new percussion instrument invented in the 20th century.