Music from Behind the Bridge

AsymbolofTrinidadianculture,thesteelbandhasmadeanextraordinarytransformationsinceitsorigins-fromjunkmetaltosteelorchestra,andfromdisparagedunderclasspastimetoTrinidadandTobago'snationalinstrument.Now,ShannonDudleygivesthefirstdiscerninglookatthemusicalthinkingthatignitedthistransformation,andthewayitarticulateswithAfro-Trinidadiantradition,carnival,colonialauthority,andnationalistpolitics.MusicfrombehindtheBridgetellsthestoryofthesteelbandfromthepointofviewofmusicianswhoovercamedisadvantagesofpovertyandprejudicewiththeirextraordinaryambition.LiterallyreferringtothepoorneighborhoodsnestledinthehillsborderingPortofSpaintotheEast,"BehindtheBridge"isalsoametaphorforconditionsofsocialdisadvantageandculturalresistancethatshapedthesteelbandmovementinthevariousAfro-Trinidadiancommunitieswhereitfirsttookroot.Thebookfurtherexplorestheimplicationsofthesteelband's"nationalization"inpost-independenceTrinidadandTobago,andcontemporarysteelbandmusicians'preoccupationwiththeformallyadjudicatedannualPanoramacompetition.Indiscussingtheintersectionofmusicalthinking,festivity,andpolitics,thisbookconnectsimportantquestionsaboutthehistoryofthesteelbandtogeneralquestionsabouttherelationbetweenpopularcultureandnationalism.