Akua Leith shares his vision for steelpan production
By Michael Mondezie
Akua Leith stands as a testament to the transformative power of the steelpan industry.
Just as raw drums are refined into musical masterpieces at the Musical Instruments of Trinidad and Tobago Company Limited (MITTCO) on the Industrial Estate in Diamond Vale, Diego Martin, Leith himself has been shaped by fire, fine-tuned by masterful hands and polished into a high-quality musical product.
A Fullbright Fellow, Leith’s journey began at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St Augustine where he earned a degree in Musical Arts. He furthered his studies at Northern Illinois University (NIU), in Dekalb, Illinois, USA where he completed a Master of Music in Conducting with a focus on Steelpan Performance.
The former artistic director of the National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) of Trinidad and Tobago returned to T&T in 2022 to co-found MITTCO alongside master tuner Mario Joseph, banker and pan enthusiast David Hackett, and businessmen John, Joseph and Robert Hadad of HADCO.
Leith, now MITTCO’s director of Sales and Business Development, has also worked with several title winning Panorama bands. His roles ranged from musical director and composer of NGC Joylanders and Chord Masters Steel Orchestra to consultant and drill master for T&T Defence Force Steel Orchestra (TTDFSO) and Platinum Steel Orchestra.
For Leith, MITTCO was born out of an unwavering love for the steelpan.
pan-making includes tempering, sinking, stencilling, hammering, cutting and fine tuning of the instrument.
“My vision was to modernise (pan) production while preserving its rich heritage. The idea came to fruition through a blend of my artistic background and a drive to innovate within the steelpan industry. It’s part of an eight-pillar ecosystem. “Over the next five-ten years, I see MITTCO evolving into a global leader in steelpan manufacturing, embracing cutting-edge technology while remaining rooted in tradition. We aim to expand our international reach, develop new educational initiatives, and foster a new generation of pan musicians and artisans,” Leith said during the lunch break at the Steelpan Conference, held last Friday at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Port of Spain.
A monumental step for pan
August 11 marks the first anniversary of the United Nations (UN) designation of World Steelpan Day, a milestone Leith sees as pivotal for the steelpan community.
This recognition, he believes, brings much-needed attention to the national instrument.“For MITTCO, this recognition aligns perfectly with our mission to elevate the steelpan’s status globally. We hope that through this recognition, MITTCO can inspire future generations of musicians and artisans by demonstrating steelpan’s artistic and cultural value. Our goal is to continue innovating while staying true to the steelpan’s roots, ensuring that this unique instrument continues to thrive for generations to come,” he said.
MITTCO has married tradition and technology to ensure a consistent steelpan product in all their pans, Leith said. The pan makers were awarded the Breakthrough Exporter of the Year Award at the 2023 Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industries and Commerce’s Champions of Business Awards.
“Crafting a steelpan is a meticulous process. We honour traditional methods while integrating modern technology. We start by selecting high-quality steel, followed by the crafting of the pan’s surface, where tuning is done manually by skilled artisans. Balancing tradition with innovation, we incorporate precision tools and acoustic technology to ensure consistency and quality. Our commitment is to create instruments that resonate with the authentic sound of the steelpan while exploring new possibilities in design and acoustics,” he explained.
Quality and reliability are at the heart of MITTCO’s operations, Leith assures. Their stringent quality control processes involve both manual inspections and digital assessments.
“We use advanced tuning software that allows us to fine-tune each instrument with a level of precision that traditional methods alone cannot achieve. Additionally, we are exploring the use of sustainable materials and eco-friendly practices, positioning MITTCO as a forward-thinking company in the global market,” Leith boasted.
Firmly implanted in pan’s grassroots
pan-making includes tempering, sinking, stencilling, hammering, cutting and fine tuning of the instrument.
Despite his ambitions to standardise manufacturing and position T&T as the prime exporter of the steelpan, Leith remains connected to the creative, community-driven core of the instrument
“I grew up in Casacablanca, Casacde, where the sounds of the steelpan were a part of daily life. I attended South East Port of Spain Senior Secondary School, where I was first introduced to the instrument. It wasn’t until Form 1 that the steelpan truly became an integral part of my life,” he recalled.
His tenure at the NSSO was a period of growth and newfound responsibility, but it’s his work with community bands that he finds most rewarding.
“Working with the community bands is deeply rewarding; it keeps me grounded in the grassroots movement that is vital to the steelpan’s cultural significance. This connection to the community reminds me of the instrument’s roots and the importance of nurturing young talent,” he emphasised. Leith says educating the international market about the significance of steelpan history and balancing the demand for mass production of the handcrafted product remains the key challenges for the industry.
“Despite these challenges, we are dedicated to promoting Trinidad and Tobago’s musical heritage worldwide, and we see MITTCO playing a crucial role in this effort by participating in global exhibitions, forming international partnerships, and supporting cultural exchanges,” Leith concluded.
