CAISO STEEL DRUM GROUP
The CAISO Steeldrum Band (pronounced ki-e-so) has been playing and entertaining together since 1979. Its seven members, all formerly with the Trinidad & Tobago Steel Band of Washington, DC, had performed previously with well-known groups in Trinidad and the West Indies. The group’s varied repertoire includes popular music, Jazz, Rock, Calypso, Latin American and original compositions. For years CAISO has performed in the Baltimore-Washington, Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania region.
Our founders are David Zephrine and Michael George, initial members respectfully include Sam Brown, Godfrey Clark, Oswin Finley, Carlyle Oliver, Broderick Robinson and Roger Grenidge. The group first gained its fan base by performing at the Pier One Club in Annapolis and the Ocean Club in Ocean City, MD. Throughout the years CAISO has performed at many of the top venues in the Baltimore-Washington area such as Merriweather Post Pavilion, Smithsonian Institute, and Embassy Row in DC just to name a few.
CA received praise for its performance of the U.S. National Anthem at the 1982 season opener of the then Washington Bullets Basketball franchise against the Philadelphia 76ers. The band performed as the opening act for the Beach Boys concert on August 27, 1995 in Harve de Grace, Maryland. Other notable performances include appearances on local television stations, The Smithsonian Institute’s Botanical Gardens, Nordstrom’s Pentagon City Mall, and popular hotels and golf clubs throughout Washington, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
CAISO current group members are David Zephrine (Tenor Pan), Michael KIng (Triple Cello), Michael George (Double Seconds, Harmonica), Franklin Harding (Master Percussionist) and Ted Allen (Bass Guitar). The band performs soloist gigs as well as groups of two, three, or four+ players. Their specialty events included large and small private and corporate events, wedding receptions, and cocktail parties.
CAISO Steelband trio, duo or soloist incorporates genres of Calypso, Soca, Reggae, and Latin Jazz. Our one of a kind ensemble infuses CAISO flavor with the music of Len “Boogsie” Sharp, Bob Marley, Mighty Sparrow, Jimmy Buffet, and other popular artists. CAISO brings sound to life by arranging melodies, harmonies, and rhythm into festive instrumental music of the Caribbean. This professional band always entertains as they bring the Caribbean to you!
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Click on links below to listen to audio samples
Hot Hot Hot
Sun Shiney Day
Red Red Red Wine
You Are Always On My Mind
Under the Boardwalk
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