The Pan‑handlers are a versatile 2–18 piece steel drum band based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Pan‑handlers steel drum band was founded in 2014 by Chops, Inc. Drum and Bugle Corps, originally serving as an alternative performance ensemble for members interested in furthering their music career without the rigors of marching. Since then it has grown into a staple of the Twin Cities music scene, regularly performing in “Arts in the Park” concerts as well as at festivals, parties, and other events throughout the year.
The Pan‑handlers can play as a steel drum duet or trio with a recorded rhythm section, as a full 18 piece steel drum band with a live rhythm section, or any combination of instrumentation in between, making appearances possible for virtually any event or venue. Our song list continues to grow, including everything from The Beatles to Bob Marley, from traditional to modern. If there’s a particular song or two that you’d like at your event, we can even learn it for you.
Songs from Our Usual Setlist:
• Amber | 311 • Bee’s Melody | Lord Kitchener • Birthday Party | Len “Boogsie” Sharpe
• Both of Them | Mighty Sparrow • Brown Eyed Girl | Van Morrison • Call Me Maybe | Carly Rae Jepsen
• Cantina Band | John Williams • Free Bird | Lynyrd Skynyrd • Grenade | Bruno Mars
• Gyal Owner | Dexter Stewart (Blaxx) • Hard Times | Len “Boogsie” Sharpe • Here Comes The Sun | The Beatles
• Hot Hot Hot | Arrow • I’m Yours | Jason Mraz • Jamaica Farewell | Harry Belafonte
• Jammin’ | Bob Marley • Late In The Evening | Paul Simon • Limbo Rock | Chubby Checker
• Me & Julio | Simon & Garfunkel • Moondance | Van Morrison • My Band | Ray Holman
• Natural Mystic | Bob Marley • Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da | The Beatles • Rant and Rave | Christopher “Tambu” Herbert
• Royals | Lorde • Take Five | Paul Desmond/Dave Brubeck • Take On Me | A-ha
• Three Little Birds | Bob Marley • Tio Macaco | Snarky Puppy • Trinidad Blue Basin | Traditional
• Under the Sea | Menken/Ashman • Yellow Bird | Traditional
Ask about adding a specific song for your event!
Meet The Director
Christopher Belich is a native of Duluth, MN, and graduated from The College of St. Scholastica with a B.A. in Percussion Performance focusing largely on steel pan performance and composition. Working as a freelance percussionist, Chris has experience both in performing professionally and teaching privately. He has also traveled to Trinidad on several occasions, resulting in firsthand experience of steel pan in its original soca and calypso styles, as well as a greater understanding of the culture it was born out of. Through his teaching, he strives to not only educate members on the fundamental techniques of the pan, but to also familiarize them with the rich culture of Trinidad. Chris has been performing with the Pan-handlers Steel Drum Band since 2014.
Our Instruments
The instruments used by The Pan‑handlers are Trinidadian steel drums, a relatively new instrument, which originated as nothing more than a series of notes shaped from the bottom of an old oil barrel! The steel drums, or pans, that we use today are of much higher quality than the typical oil barrel used to allow.
All of our pans are meticulously hand-crafted by master tuner and builder Steve Lawrie. Learn more about Steve and the beautiful instruments he creates at his page www.pantuner.com.
