At the heart of the Caribbean carnival scene, a revolutionary steel band leader has spent years championing the vibrant rhythms and rich traditions of Caribbean heritage.
Her name is Debi Gardner, the Executive Officer of the British Association of Steelbands and a Trustee of the Notting Hill Carnival and Mangrove Steel Band member from London.
“My earliest memory of carnival, I remember being there with my dad, on a road which is now portobello Green, and hearing the music, hearing the sound and I wanted to go and explore but my dad was talking to his friends, and we couldn’t go.
“It wasn’t till some years later that I found out that it was steel pans, so yeah I didn’t know at the time, but I found out what it was,” says Debi.
She has been a pillar in the steel band community, keeping the pulse of the steel pan thriving at the annual Notting Hill carnival celebration.
The steel pan is a traditional Caribbean musical instrument that derives from the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.
Not only has its distinct sound been a renowned aspect of Caribbean carnivals and culture in general but it is a key symbol of heritage.
The beginning of Debi’s steelpan journey began in secondary school. This marked the start of something special that would later shape a huge part of the rest of her life.
“I started playing pan at school. It was hockey and it was raining, and I was in secondary school and I did not want to do hockey. I didn’t want to be in the rain playing a sport I did not like.
“I remember I didn’t want to do it, so I went to the music department, and I went to the steel pans. And the steelpan teacher at the school said, “come in”, and said “play this” and I played it and that was it,” says Debi.
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Steel bands here in the UK have been sustaining this important part of Caribbean celebrations and figures like Debi have been the driving forces behind it.
Before getting involved in the British Steel Band Association she used to play with ebony steel bands, one of the UK’s earliest steel bands.
Debi’s inspiring work and dedication has been recognised with her two achievement awards and accolades.
“I’m of mixed heritage, my dad is from the Caribbean and my Mum is Irish. Growing up here, I didn’t really have a sense of self. What being involved in pan did was open a lot of doors and allow me to experience these things. It’s what brought my love for the Caribbean.
“It helped me identify myself and figure out who I am, you know, and that’s what got me involved and now I try to create those opportunities for people that are coming up after me, you know, making them feel engaged and part of the community.”
Debi’s work in the community goes far beyond her work with steel bands. She founded the British Association of Steelbands youth engagement project, alongside being the Economic Development Manager for the UK Centre for Carnival Arts.
She established this centre’s business hub with the purpose of nurturing artists and people who are not in education or employment.
The community is what makes this form of art so powerful. The power in the coming together of Caribbean, African and diverse individuals is evident in the steel bands.
“I’ve been involved in steel pans for so long, it’s just the people, it’s the way that we support each other and look out for each other. I love the way that if you’re part of the community or band and you have a child everybody is called aunty and uncle.
“Carnival is an extension of me because I’m already representing my culture, so it’s the other way when you play pan, because you’re playing it all the time.
“I love the fact that I’m a part of that. For me it’s absolutely the people and the variety of people,” says Debi.
The upcoming Notting Hill Carnival in just a few months will be gracing the streets for the 58th time.
It will be another opportunity for Londoners and people travelling far and wide to immerse themselves in the beauty of this culture and Debi’s work.
