My only experience with steel drums is that segment from Sesame Street that shows someone making one in old New York. Lately, I’ve been hearing some interesting sounds when biking on Pacific Street near Classon Ave late at night. Sounds like steel drums.  This past weekend, I found where the music was coming from.

A group called “Desper USA” occupies a lot between some auto garages on Classon between Pacific and Atlantic, and they make a beautiful sound. I couldn’t really tell how many people were playing, or who was conducting the whole thing, but it sounded great. Very dynamic and happy. It seemed like all genders and ages were involved, and about fifteen people were making something that sounded as complicated as Flight of the Bumblebee. One of the guys there said that they’re preparing a ten-minute piece for a big competition next Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum. He said the competition has 50-100 member steel drum orchestras. I think it’ll be worth checking out!