Trinidad North Steel - NOLA Steel Drum Band from New Orleans, LA

Anyone who knows anything about steel drums will tell you about David Gettes and his band Trinidad North. Since 1985 Trinidad North has traveled the globe bringing their infectious sweet sounds to literally millions of people. They have performed in Trinidad and Tobago and toured Turks and Caicos, the US Virgin Islands, New Zealand, Israel, Canada, Costa Rica and the United States, where they continue to perform most often. David Gettes was one of the first individuals to "study" the building and tuning of steel drums, beginning in the 1980s under the direction of the legendary "Grandfather of the steel drum, Ellie Mannette" of Woodbrook Trinidad. David became Ellie's handpicked apprentice and studied with him for 7 years learning the guarded secrets of how to build, tune and perform on all the different steel drums that comprise a Steel Drum Orchestra. After building school steel drum programs in the United States, David and Trinidad North are performing the music that always makes people feel good. Trinidad North usually perform as a duo but most people say they sound like a trio or even four piece as the rhythms are tight, and the oversized hand crafted steel drums that David plays produce a haunting deep sound that along with that characteristic happy, high pitched steel drum sound, results in Trinidad North's characteristic rich sound. David has developed his signature technique/sound performing along side other steel pan legends including Andy and Jeff Narell, Jit Samaroo (Renegades Steel Orchestra from Port of Spain, Trinidad), Robert Greenich (w/ Jimmy Buffett, and the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra from Laventille, Trinidad); Joel Keel (Rolly Grey and Sunfire, Tobago) Anthony Cezair (Pepper Pot Steel Orchestra, Florida); and the Trinidad and Tobago Steel Band of Baltimore – TNT Baltimore. Regional drummers that love performing with Trinidad North include: Chris Henning (drummer with NFL films- Chair of the Music Dept. at West Chester University), Mike Windish (drummer with /Chubby Checker); Paul Downie (drummer with Sonoma Sound); Wesley Rast (drummer with Cultureal- Reggae Band, drum instructor at Princeton University and Swarthmore College); and when available, David's favorite drummer of all, his son Jeremy Gettes. Trinidad North has performed at parades, graduations, weddings, private parties, business openings, conventions, and all kinds of festivals. They have performed on yachts, battleships, and rooftops, in zoos, museums, libraries, elementary, middle, and high schools, colleges and universities, botanical gardens, parks, and stadiums. Trinidad North performs regularly at Autism, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Heart Care, PTSD, and HIV/AIDS charity fundraisers. They have been competively selected to open concerts for Earth,Wind and Fire, Chicago, Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, and most recently they performed at the Roots Picnic at the Philadelphia Waterfront, summer 2014 prior to the Roots performance with Snoop Dogg! Trinidad North was recently (October 2014) featured on CBS News, NBC National Nighty News, and ABC News (Good Morning America) for their impromptu performance on the PA turnpike to calm motorists stuck in a very long traffic jam following a terrible accident. This turned into a limbo dance party, and has come to symbolize the positive attitude Trinidad North bring to every event they perform at. Please read their reviews on our site and listen to their song files. They are truly exceptional, love to perform, and are professional in all aspects. They would be the perfect group to hire to make your event wonderful. They typically play a mix of Island music- old and new Calypso, Reggae, and SOCA, along with Bossa Nova, Jazz and even Rock standards all on steel drums!! However, with more than 200 songs in their repertoire they are able to customize the music to fit your event as you desire. They have been hired through Gigmasters more than 70 times and every client has left positive feedback stating they would hire them again in a heartbeat, without any hesitation. Trinidad North is without question a first class act and is one of our longest running and best representatives. To see if they are available we suggest you contact them immediately as they book up way in advance, especially on weekends.