IF you are an ardent follower of steelpan music, or even if you are an occasional supporter, there are a few names that would stand out. There are the greats that facilitated the introduction and growth of the instrument not so long ago, and there is the new generation of young people taking pan forward. And among that new generation, you would find Hanani Ben Lewi.

When he steps up to the steelpan, he is mostly an unsuspecting character. He is calm and composed, but there is a hint of playfulness on his face. His 10 years of experience shows.
By the time he begins putting his sticks onto the metallic surface of the instrument- you would see why he stands out as an artiste. Every limb of his body moves to the sound of the music he is creating while his face carries the most animated expressions.

“For me, pan is all about expression,” Hanani said. He also explained that it is one of his greatest loves.
So much is his love for the instrument that he made it a profession; he teaches music and English Literature (English B) at the Bishop’s High School and is also the head of the Bishop’s High School Steel Orchestra.
“I am a lover for everything African and it’s an honour playing such an amazing instrument knowing that my ancestors, who were enslaved, got the skills, opportunity, and creativity to create a wonderful instrument,” he said. “And it’s the only instrument created in the 20th century and I think that this is something all Africans can be proud of.”

As a Guyanese and more so as an Afro-Guyanese, Hanani explained tha,t it is this bit of history on the instrument that underscores why steelpan has become ingrained in Guyana’s multicultural society.
“It gives me great joy that I can share this love for pan and this great enjoyment with people,” he highlighted.
The young man is a member of the Caribbean Airlines Parkside Steel Orchestra, as well, where he’s a section leader of the band.
He is also known for his prowess as a soloist. In fact, at the recent small band Pan-O-Rama competition, Hanani copped the first place position in the senior soloist category. This win was his fourth first place solo position, but according to Hanani, he is looking to beat the record of the most solo wins by raking up at least 10 wins in all.

At the recent small band Pan-O-Rama, one of his students, Luana Barkoye, scored third in the junior soloist category.
In his solo category (where he scored first place), his bandmates copped the second and third positions. And in the duet segment, he and another band member copped the second position while the second place position was maintained in the Pan Jazz category.
“We cleared that up, we were very proud about that,” Hanani shared.

He has also travelled to countries like Barbados and Suriname to represent Guyana, and that, for him, has instilled much pride and he is happy to have had the opportunity to represent his nation.
But for pan, his desire is to see it grow bigger and better in the country.

“I want a band in almost every school because…that would mean a lot more children doing music, and music helps with discipline and brain activity,” he explained.
Even if each school cannot have their own band, Hanani related that he hopes that there can be more bands like the Pan Wave Academy- which allows young people to learn the instrument after school.

“[Young people] really want to do wholesome things, but if we don’t create that opportunity for them, the devil makes work for idle hands,” he said.
And of course, he said that he would like to see more ‘big bands’- just so that there’s more competition for him and his bandmates to devour.
“Once we have a large set of young people playing the instrument, we know that we have a future because we are investing in the young people,” he said.