- Location:
- Los Angeles, California
- Travel Radius:
- Will travel up to 500 miles from Los Angeles.
- Pay Range:
-
$275-$2500 per event
- Member Since:
- 2004
- Primary Category:
- Steel Drum Band
- Additional Categories:
- African Band, Beach Band, Beach Music Steel Drum Band, Calypso Band, Calypso Steel Drum Band, Caribbean Band, Caribbean Steel Drum Band, Hawaiian Band, Reggae Band, Wedding Band, World Music Band
- Influences:
- Bob Marley, Rita Marley, Peter Tosh, 'Boogsie' Sharpe, David Rudder, Johnny Nash, Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear, Jimmy Buffett, Ken 'Professor' Philmore, Stevie Wonder, Lord Kitchener, UB40, Robert Greenidge, Eddy Grant, Inner Circle, Black Uhuru, No Doubt
Group Members
- Larger groups available... - ask us!
- Dan Savell - steelpans & percussion
- Abby Savell - steelpans,vox,percussion
Description
Music that is fun & lightheated enough for a backyard party? Yes. Buttery, gorgeous wedding ceremony music? Yes. Dance music w/ an awesome groove? Yes. Great vocals available? Yes. Music light enough for the most discerning company events? Yes. Shredding steel drum performances? Um, yes. But what about truly professional & seasoned musicians? Yes!
***Now available: various music from Super Mario Bros for wedding ceremonies (yes, that's right!)***
We are a husband & wife team w/ 2500+ steel drum performances between us; solo to 7-piece band available. All of the other musicians we play with (i.e., bassist, drummer guitarist) are also professional musicians who are exceptional on their instruments and specialize in Caribbean music. Exceptional playing is not just about how well someone can play a melody or chords: at the higher levels of performance in this music, it's about improvisation. Like jazz, Caribbean & Latin music relies heavily on improvisation; this is a talent that takes years of intensive training and experience to develop. During steel drum band performances, well over 50% of the actual music is improvised (by the nature of this style of music - there are few exceptions). So, when choosing a band, or even just a soloist, it is imperative to pay close attention to the sound of the musician(s). Are they simply playing the melody? Or do they have an example of improvisation? Again, at the higher, professional levels of performance, the mastery of the instrument AND music is very much revealed through what else the musician can "do" with their instrument (in other words, improvise) during a song. Improvisation makes it so no two performances are the same, and keeps the music fresh and interesting for musicians and listeners alike.
We have been seen on 'Outer Spaces','Ugly Betty, & 'Deal or No Deal.' Dan has also been the steel drum consultant to Steve Carell on a memorable episode of "The Office."
Calypso, reggae, soca, ska, Brazilian, jazz & wedding classical styles encompass most of our repertoire. Abby performs vocals, but male vocals are also available upon request. And please, check out our soundclips!
We love pan- we have studied, traveled to, and played with many of the most accomplished steel drummers from Trinidad. As musicians, we've been playing most of our lives and are professionally trained & experienced percussionists. Abby and Dan respectively hold Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Percussion from the California Institute of the Arts. In the music community, CalArts is renowned for its magnificient world music program.
For performances, we use instruments and audio systems that are of the highest, professional caliber to ensure a clean, well-balanced sound, whether we are playing solo or as a band. Most of all, our passion for the steel pan and music emerges in each performance.
Please go to our nestasteelband website for info, videos, and sounds.
NOTE: We are available for performances as a soloist, duo, or in
larger groups with other steel drum players and/or live
musicians.
Song List
Available For:
Anniversaries, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Birthday Parties, Children's Birthday Parties, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Halloween Parties, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Restaurants, Sweet 16 Parties, Weddings, Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Cocktail Hours, Wedding Receptions...and more.
Feedback
- Abby and Dan were so wonderful. They were prompt, polite, friendly to our guests and incredibly talented!!! They lent just the right vibe to our outdoor party. Everyone commented on how great they sounded. We could not have been more pleased and would recommend them in an instant!! -- Lauren H, Manhattan Beach, CA, 7/12/2008
- OMG they were the greatest. My guests are still raving about the band. My neighbors all came out on their balconies and porches to listen to them play. My party was a HUGE success in good part to the beautiful perfect backdrop music. I cannot rave about this band enough. I truly felt like I was on vacation in my own backyard. -- Cherryl W, Los Angeles, CA, 9/29/2007
- Abby Savell was great! She contacted me initially after I submitted the lead and was quite personable and great to work with. She was flexible and willing to contact the venue directly to arrange the details and band's needs. The music was wonderful and really added to the atmosphere of our event. I would not hesitate to use AND Productions again!
Thank you!
Marilyn Muljat -- Marilyn M, Los Angeles, CA, 7/17/2007
- Most professional, punctual, accomodating, friendly musicians I've ever met. Plus, they are very talented. We will hire them again. -- Heather H, Los Angeles, CA, 7/11/2007
- OH MY GOSH! THEY WERE MY SAVIOR!!! I had a band cancel on my event fairly last minute (the Thursday before) so I stumbled upon Gig Masters and the site for AND Productions. They sounded great on the website so I tried my luck.
Abby was great to talk too, flexible, professional, and a great list of songs were played! SHE SAVED MY PARTY!
Thank you. -- Barbara C, Burbank, CA, 7/29/2006
- Abby was wonderful. My guests lover her and her music. I would hire her again! -- Jane B, Pasadena, CA, 7/4/2006
- Friendly, professional, and on time. Dan made for a very enjoyable evening. He MADE our party. worth the money!
Thanks and see you next year!
-- Linda L, Fountain Valley, CA, 7/1/2006
- Abby and Dan were wonderful. The music was perfect fot the event (backyard babacue with an island theme). They performed for the scheduled time and did a terrific time of matching the music to the party's pace. I definitely plan to hire them again.
-- Teress W, San Juan Capistrano, CA, 6/30/2006
- These guys were fun! they sounded great, they took requests...and were very professional---I will be hiring them again soon.
Thanks guys for a job well done! -- Luz B, Pomona, CA, 6/23/2006
- Abby played solo for our event. She was punctual and her music was great. She is a talented steel drummer and singer as well. All she needed was a single power connection and she took it from there. When she took breaks she had background music playing to fill the void. The guests really enjoyed her. I would recommend her highly to anyone looking for steel drums at their party. -- Tim A, Aliso Viejo, CA, 10/1/2005
- Abby and Dan have been absolutely fantastic in every way. They were very responsive prior to the event about every issue. They were very very easy to work with, highly professional and played SOOO well. The evening was a great success and we are very appreciative to them.
A plus job!
Barb Horowitz -- Barbara H, Marina Del Rey, CA, 2/26/2005
- Dan did a wonderful job during our event. I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of a musician to play for thier event. He was very easy to work with! -- Sharis B, Indian Wells, CA, 2/16/2005
- wonderfully professional and very nice and talented people to work with. They thoroughly enhanced our event!!!! -- Nikki B, Ventura, CA, 6/24/2006
- Perfect. I couldn't have asked for anyone better for my party. Everyone was extremely pleased with them and I was as well. I would hire them again in a second. -- Jeff C, Santa Clarita, CA, 12/6/2008
- The music was great and they were an important part of setting the perfect mood for the party. The were on time, friendly and professional. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a great steel drum band. -- Christl K, Thousand Oaks, CA, 9/20/2008
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