Electric and energetic are words that capture the spirit that 31-year-old Donell “Bravo” Thomas brings to his role as music director/drill master and more so, conductor of the PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars Steel Orchestra. If ‘conducting’ means bringing electricity to the band’s year-round performances, then pencil-slim Bravo, as he is popularly known, certainly lights up the venue wherever the steel orchestra plays.
The band’s signature piece, Phantom of the Opera, is an exciting and riveting performance that has audiences clamouring for more wherever they perform with Bravo stamping his unique conducting style.
Q: Tell us about your early days growing up.
A: I grew up in Malick, Barataria. I lived behind the Potential Symphony panyard with my parents, Donna Carter and Wayne Francis Thomas, along with my brother, Devon, and sister Prudence.
What schools did you attend?
I attended Barataria Boys’ RC School, Aranguez Junior Secondary School, and Arima Comprehensive.
How did you become so involved with the pan, and what are some of your early fond memories of playing the pan?
I probably became so involved with the steelpan because I lived behind the Potential Symphony panyard where my dad, at one point, was the drill master of the band. I started playing pan at age five in 1988 for Panorama with This Party is it by Tambu, and from 1989 to 1992, playing each year on the six bass pan.
I enjoyed playing bass because my sister, Prudence Thomas, was in that section, and I really loved the way I could work the six pans and have fun at the same time. Mom was always very supportive of me and would always be by my side every time we would leave to enter any competition or gigs with bands.
One of my fondest memories as a young player was the first Panorama competition I entered with Potential Symphony when we hit the bull track and the band began to jam, and I started playing the bass with my tiny, short self and the crowd went “wow!” At that point, it seemed as if the crowd felt like the “wow” was not enough and started throwing money round my bass pan.
How did you become so involved with Silver Stars? Tell us about your relationship with the late Edwin Pouchet.
I became involved with PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars when I was moving from band to band as a contract player, helping out the bands that needed the assistance for Panorama, due to lack of players. While band hopping, I passed by PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars where I met Edwin. We started talking and he voiced his interest in players. There and then, he realised who I was and told me to come and listen to the band’s stage side music after the Panorama season ended. After listening to the wonderfully arranged music, I decided that I would get involved with the band.
Edwin and I had a very close relationship and he was like a father to me. Someone that I looked up to and trusted to not lead me astray. Someone I knew that had my best interest at heart. That father-son relationship really fuelled my passion for the band and its further development.
Is this your full-time job? How do you balance things?
Yes, this is full-time. I have a schedule that I stick to in order to be on time and present when the band has performances.
Your future plans?
My future plans are to continue carrying PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars to higher levels, and my personal goals are to keep the crowd on their toes and engaged every time we perform.
What do you see for the future of the steelband movement? Any suggestions?
With the steelpan being the national instrument of T&T, I would like to see more frequent competitions other than Panorama. I would also like there to be more opportunities for pan to be heard and displayed throughout the country and for bands to tour internationally, sharing more of our music around the world.
What inspires you to do what you do, and what motivates you to put forth your greatest efforts?
The great music that Edwin Pouchet arranged along with the passion and love I have for steelpan and music. Knowing that I can make people happy and show the crowd a good time really encourages me to put forth my greatest efforts.
What makes for a really good job of conducting?
I believe in being yourself, being completely involved and passionate with the music, and knowing the arrangement makes for a really good job of conducting.
What’s the most unexpected thing that has ever happened to you while conducting?
The most unexpected thing that happened while conducting was for Panorama finals 2010 when PCS Nitrogen took to the stage with Battlezone. Upon the very dramatic and explosive entrance, I stumbled to the ground but quickly regained composure and was able to mask the stumble.
What major challenges have you faced as a drill master/conductor?
I haven’t faced many challenges but so far, the most challenging was conducting and drilling the band for this year’s Panorama season while Edwin was away from the panyard due to his illness.
What is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear was Edwin’s passing as he played such a key role in my life and there was still much to learn from him. Now that he is gone, I have no fears.
Who was your hero growing up (fictional or real or both) and why? And who do you admire most today?
I had no heroes growing up. I was my own hero. As a young boy growing up I had to make many decisions for myself and it has molded me into the person I am today. I admire my children and the wonderful young vibrant members of the PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars Steel Orchestra that I perform with.
What advice would you give to the country’s youths to create a better society?
Youths should get involved with steelpan. This allows many young children to use their time doing something productive and positive which would help keep them off the streets. Playing the steelpan would also encourage and help build a sense of pride toward T &T. Getting involved in other extra curricular activities such as sport and other cultural activities would also help the youths to create a better society as they would learn discipline and many other life and character-building skills.
What is the toughest decision you have to make in your job?
One of the most difficult decisions I have to make takes places during the Panorama season. Every year, I along with section leaders from the stageside have to drop some players who do not have the music correctly. It’s hard, knowing that players come often to practice with the band and have to get left out at any given part of the competition.
What daily motto/credo do you live by…your recipe for success?
My daily motto is to just survive and to be the best that I can be. My recipe for success is being up to date and informed about all that takes place in the pan world.
Describe yourself in three words, one beginning with D, the others with B and T, the initials of your name.
Desire, Brave, Tough!
