Gary Gibson, Invader tenor steel pan
Michael Bento, double-seconds steel pans
Panduo was created in 1996 by the leaders of two of Seattle's most active steel drum groups in order to offer you the best in steel drum music at an affordable price. With high-quality pre-programmed accompaniment tracks combined with the excitement and sparkle of live steel drums, the music sounds full, classy, and fun at an affordable price.
Besides the low cost, there are other advantages to the format offered by Panduo:
-Only a small space (about 6' by 9' or so) is required for set-up,
making it the perfect format for restaurants, in-home parties, or boat
cruises.
-With a minimal amount of equipment and musical instruments, set-up is quick and clean, and portability is enhanced.
-With a small sound system and only two sets of steel drums, the volume is controllable over a wide range. For small rooms, Panduo can play softer than larger bands, while still having the ability to fill a larger room with sound if necessary.
-Panduo can travel! With a small P.A. system rented at your location, we can fly in and do the job!
For information about what Panduo needs from you in order to perform at your event, click HERE.-With a minimal amount of equipment and musical instruments, set-up is quick and clean, and portability is enhanced.
-With a small sound system and only two sets of steel drums, the volume is controllable over a wide range. For small rooms, Panduo can play softer than larger bands, while still having the ability to fill a larger room with sound if necessary.
-Panduo can travel! With a small P.A. system rented at your location, we can fly in and do the job!
The repertoire of Panduo offers much variety and flexibility. Calypso and Soca, the music styles most commonly associated with steel drums, is more than adequately covered in the book, with decades-old standards like "Yellowbird" and "Jamaican Farewell." Panduo keeps current, also, and includes in their repertoire more contemporary songs by the likes of Trinidad calypsonian Lord Kitchener, as well as Reggae standards from the likes of Bob Marley. In addition to the danceable Caribbean styles, Panduo also plays many relaxed Latin jazz and pop tunes, a necessary element for background music jobs like poolside parties, cocktail receptions, and dinners. The group even includes several seasonal favorites in their repertoire, making them perfect for private or company holiday parties. See our complete songlist. As an optional enhancement to Panduo, the group can be expanded to a trio adding a flute/saxaphone player for a larger physical presence and an extra musical dimension. If the scale of your event or budget doesn't warrant a full duo or trio, a solo performance by Gary Gibson (with CD rhythm section) is available (three-hours, maximum).
Gary and Michael are both nationally recognized steel drum performers with a combined 50 years of experience in the genre. Together, as Panduo, they have played many hundreds of gigs...everything from wedding receptions and backyard barbeques to boat cruises and New Year's Eve in Hong Kong.
Gary Gibson has a Master's degree in Music Performance, and was on the jazz faculty at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Although he retired from full-time teaching in 1996, he remains active as an educator, giving clinics and masterclasses at colleges and universities througout the U.S., as well as more locally on the faculty of the Centrum jazz Workshop/Port Townsend jazz Festival. He is a full-time, freelance performer and tours as a guest concert artist at colleges and universities throughout the country. His first CD release, "My Two Cents," received international attention in both jazz and steel drum circles. His second CD, "CounterMelodies," was released in December 2002, to rave reviews. His newest release, "Yahbooy!," has continued in the tradition of his first two recordings. You can read reviews about all of his recordingson each of the above links. Gary leads several groups, including his jazz quartet, Calypso Blue (six-piece band), a Caribbean/Latin jazz group. In 2004, Gary won Trinidad's Panorama National Steelband Championship while playing with the 120-player-strong "Exodus Steel Orchestra". (See Gary's full bio).
Michael Bento has a Bachelor's degree in Music Education, and as a music teacher started one of the first elementary school steel bands in Washington State. He now has one of the longest running school steel drum programs in Washington at Sunrise Elemntary School in the Kent School District, and is recognized nationally for his work with kids on steel pans. Michael was the leader of the professional steelband, "Island Time," a local favorite in Seattle for more than a decade.
When Michael Bento is not available, he is capably substituted by either Dr. Shannon Dudley (left) or Miho Takekawa (right).
Shannon is Professor of Ethnomusicology at University of Washington, a noted steel drum historian and accomplished performer. He is also the author of numerous articles and books on the history of steel drums and calypso, and other music of Trinidad. Hr has also done extensive research in many Latin American music styles.
Miho graduated from Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo and is currently a doctoral candidate in percussion performance at the University of Washington. In Japan, she formed the North Rainbow Steel Drum Group in Sapporo, and is an arranger for the Hirosaki University Steel Pan Band. She received the Washington Arts Commission Fellowship grant with her CD "Tokyo to Seattle" in 2005.
The base fee for booking Panduo is $450 for one hour, and $75 per hour for each additional hour up to four hours. If your job is on peak time (Friday evenings, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays), the fee is $500 for one hour, and $75 per each additional hour. Bookings in December, which include our special seasonal repertoire, are also at this higher rate. For the three-piece group (addition of flute/sax), add 50% to the total. Jobs over 90 minutes will include one 15-minute break per hour after the first hour of performance (customary breaks). For solo performance rates, please inquire. Prices may vary depending on variables such as early set-up, inconvenient load-in, and long-distance travel to gig (this includes ferry travel across Puget Sound or air charter for the San Juan Islands). Small discounts may be available for steady work or multiple bookings. Additional charges may apply to special requests, ceremonies, etc.
If you're interested in Panduo and are curious as to whether we are available for your event, just fill out this quick online Availability Inquiry Form and I'll get back to you promptly!
Important note about booking us through a local talent agency:
If you are interested in hiring us, and you have placed a call to a talent agency in addition to visiting this site, be advised that Panduo cannot book directly with you if the agency calls us about your event before you have contacted us. It is our policy to honor the "first contact" made regarding your event. If an agency contacts us, and then the client contacts us directly regarding the same event, we must book the job through the talent agency. In this way, we can be fair to all parties involved and maintain our good relations with the talent agencies.
| MP3 DEMOS (javascript required) |
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| Jump in the Line | I Shot the Sheriff |
| Rainorama | Down de Road |
| One Love | I Can't Help Falling in Love With You |
| Pan Dingolay | Yumbambe |
| Jamaica Farewell | Pan in Harmony |
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| Holiday Seasonal Music Demos (javascript required) |
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| Let It Snow | Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas |
| Here Comes Santa Claus | Christmas Song |
| Silver Bells | We Wish You a Merry Christmas |
| God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen | Winter Wonderland |
A small sample of some of our clients, past and present: Microsoft, Boeing, Nordstrom, Amazon.com, Costco, Washington State Ferries, QFC, Tully’s Coffee, Ikea, Holland America Line, Argosy Cruises, Waterways Cruises, Tommy Bahama, AT&T, Adventure Yachts, Oviatt Marine, Venwest Yachts, Boat Insurance Agency, Seafair Boat Club, Maritime Gig Fest, San Juan Island Yacht Club, Museum of Flight, AAA Washington,The Office of the Mayor (Seattle), U.S. Conference of Mayors, Washington Wine Commission, Expedia.com, Grand Hyatt Hotel-Hong Kong, Preston Gates & Ellis, Davis Wright Trumaine, Ernst and Young, John L. Scott, T-Mobile, Washington Mutual, Nintendo, Trammel Crowe, McCormick and Schmicks Catering, Cray Inc., Oracle, GGLO Architecture, Getty Images, ICOS, Junior League, Rotary Club, Emerald Downs, Pacific Market Center, RREEF Property Management, Bargreen Ellingson Inc., Seattle Parks and Recreation, City of Kent, Federal Way Parks Department, City of Lynnwood, City of Renton, Tukwila Parks & Recreation, City of Shoreline Parks, Richmond Beach Parks & Recreation, Edmonds Arts Council, Maritime Heritage Foundation, Semi Ah Moo, UFCW, ZINO Society, PONCHO, Boys and Girls Clubs, Bellevue High School, Mill Creek High School, Redmond High School, Holy Names Academy, Forest Ridge School, St. Francis of Assisi School, Sunnydale Elementary School, Shoreline Coop Preschool, Helen Keller School, Fircrest School, Lakeside High School, The Northwest School, Mar Vista Elementary School, Brighton School, University of Washington, University of Oregon, Skagit Valley College, Centralia College, Evergreen State Fair, Westminster Chapel, Archdiocese of Seattle, Swedish Medical Foundation, Harborview Hospital, Virginia Mason, Good Samaritan Hospital, Children’s Heart Center, Maggie Bluffs Restaurant, Bridges Bar and Grill, Mill Creek Country Club, Broadmoor Golf & Country Club, Everett Fresh Paint Festival, Bellevue Chalkwalk, Alderwood Mall, Bellevue Square, Gateway Mall, Schuchart Corporation, Medical Imaging Northwest,