Dane Gulston: The Trinidad All Stars & Panazz Legend Who Transformed Pan Performance

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In this episode, we sit with Trinidad & Tobago cultural icon and legendary pannist Dane Gulston — the face of Trinidad All Stars and one of the most recognisable steelpan performers of the last four decades.

Dane takes us deep into his journey from Nelson Street and Eastern Boys’ Government School to touring the world with Trinidad All Stars, training under musical giants, and eventually becoming a soloist whose performances have captivated audiences from Cuba to Scotland.

We explore:

• His early years learning pan at age nine and joining All Stars at just 13.
• Touring internationally and the global reverence for the steelpan.
• Working with icons—Kitchener, Desperados elders, and Trinidad All Stars arrangers.
• The evolution of pan culture, discipline in the panyard, and the transformation from “badjohn bands” to world-class orchestras.
• Behind-the-scenes stories from performing Heat, Unknown Band, and Woman on the Bass.
• Why pan must return to schools, and how young players can build discipline, musicianship and lifelong opportunity through the instrument.
• His philosophy on performance energy, cultural pride, and legacy-building for the next generation of pannists.

This is a masterclass in musicianship, discipline, heritage, and Trinidadian identity—told by a man whose life is inseparable from the sound of the steelpan.

Click the link in my bio for the full episode.
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