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PanOccasions

Top Performer

Brooklyn, NY

$250 and up

Steel Drum Player

Travels up to 150 miles

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Promotional video thumbnail 1 for PanOccasions

Adrian Plays Ol Time Calypso Medley at Woodbury, Long Island, Wedding

Promotional video thumbnail 2 for PanOccasions

Very Short Take from Long Island cocktail hour

Promotional video thumbnail 3 for PanOccasions

"Three Little Birds" at Cocktail Hr

Promotional video thumbnail 4 for PanOccasions

Steel Drum Quartet @ Private House Party, New Jersey

Supermarket Opening, Long Island

The Set-up: Simple & Neat

Corporate Event: manhattan Skytop

Long Island Cocktail Hr

With a Special Needs Audience, Long Island

Two Satisfied Customers & One Happy Couple

Beach Wedding in New Jersey

With a Caribbean Dancer

With a Trio of C'bbean Musicians, Private Home, NJ

A Couple of Fans, Long Island

In Studio with Irving Bergie ("Lord Burgess"), Writer of Harry Belafonte's "Day-O," "Island in the Sun," "Jamaica Farewell," etc.

Another Satisfied Couple, NJ

At Home in Barbados, Feb. 2015

Playing for British Virgin Islands Tourist Board, NYC, March 2015

Playing for Friends Seminary School's Fair, NYC, May 2015

Byrd School, NJ, 5th Grade Graduation, June 2015

Byrd School 2015 5th Grade Graduation

Best Bartender Competition, Stamford CT, June 2015

My First CD, "Expressions in Steel." While supplies last, ask for a copy as a memento of your event.

4 Videos 20 Photos

Overview

Adrian Clarke of PanOccasions is a professional solo steel-panist from Barbados who has been gigging in the New York tristate area for ten years. He has played as far north as Boston and as far south as Washington, DC. His song list is long and varied with lots of reggae, soca and calypso, Latin, pop ballads, classical, and gospel. He plays weddings, same-sex unions, birthday, graduation and pool parties, mitzvahs, corporate and church events. The three words that best describe Adrian are courteous, professional and punctual. His rates are competitive and he is always willing to answer your queries or help with suggestions--anything to make your event successful and enjoyable.

Reviews

28 reviews

Caroline H.

June 29, 2025

Verified review

Professional and Great

Adrian was prompt and very early to make sure he was ready to play. The crowd enjoyed him so much and we loved the popular twist he added to the steel drum.

Hired as: Beach Music, Steel Drum Player

PanOccasions

Thanks, Caroline.

Glen R.

June 22, 2025

Verified review

Great entertainer

Seamless and well liked by all guest. Efficient professional and knowledgeable

Hired as: Caribbean/Island Music, Steel Drum Player

Jessica B.

July 16, 2018

Verified review

We love Adrian!

Adrian was early, he played so beautifully, my mom and our guests just loved him. Great experience from top to bottom!!

Hired as: Steel Drum Player

PanOccasions

Thank you, Jessica

Dan R.

January 5, 2026

Verified review

Adrian brought an incredible island vibe to our party!

Adrian was fantastic from start to finish and completely elevated the atmosphere of our party. His steel drum playing set the perfect tone—relaxed, upbeat, and fun—and instantly gave the event a warm, island-style vibe that everyone loved. We couldn’t have asked for a better addition to the party, and I would absolutely recommend Adrian to anyone looking to create a memorable, feel-good experience.

Hired as: Steel Drum Player

Caitlin P.

December 8, 2025

Verified review

Wonderful performance!

Adrian was wonderful. I booked him a week before my wedding and he was amazing! The day of my wedding I had a lot going on, he knew exactly where to go and set up and played beautifully through my cocktail hour. My guests loved his performance and it added such a unique touch to the wedding. I would definitely recommend working with Adrian.

Hired as: Steel Drum Player

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Booking information

Price range: $250 and up

Languages: English

Gig length: 30 - 300 minutes

What to expect

Expect:
Punctuality.
With my Bose tower system, a great sound.
A great selection of reggae and calypso music and more.
Professionalism and courtesy.
A steel pan player who is accommodating.
That I will do all I can to make your event successful and enjoyable.

About

I was born and grew up in Barbados and have lived many years in New York. A former semi-professional tennis player, I traveled throughout South America, the Caribbean, the US and Canada playing tournament tennis and have since been a coach. I am a graduate of Hampton University in Virginia where I earned a full tennis scholarship, hold Masters degrees in English Literature and Creative Writing, and am a published short story writer and an adjunct professor of English at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York. I have a passion for the steel drums and love to bring joy to listeners through the instrument.

I can e-mail you audio samples or you can GO TO MY CD, "SWEETER THIS TIME," at cdbaby.

Additional booking notes

*For my performances I need only 8 - 10 feet of space and a working electrical outlet.
*Note that the instrument and equipment should not be directly in the sun in summer, and of course cannot get wet.
*I use a Bose sound dock for beach ceremonies, etc., or for small events or where electricity is not available, so you'll always have background tracks to tap your feet or dance to.
*I can play without tracks, but note that playing with tracks almost always sounds better.
*If the music has to be fairly loud, please make guests comfortable by not seating them too close to the speakers.
*I can provide a wireless microphone with my equipment if needed; for instance, for announcements or to be used by the minister for the ceremony. Just ask me to bring it along.

Services offered

Steel Drum Player Caribbean/Island Music Wedding Band Steel Drum Band Beach Music

Upcoming booked events

June 2026

13

Saturday

Friday

Cocktail Party

7:00pm - 8:30pm

•

Norwalk, CT

Saturday

House Party

3:30pm - 5:00pm

•

Denville, NJ

21

Saturday

Wedding Cocktail Hour

5:30pm - 6:30pm

•

Nyack, NY

July 2021

31

18

Monday

Retirement Party

6:30pm - 8:30pm

•

Queens, NY

September 2017

08

Friday

30

Sunday

Birthday (Adult)

1:00pm - 4:00pm

•

Brooklyn, NY

29

Saturday

Birthday (Adult)

7:00pm - 9:00pm

•

Verona, NJ

May 2017

28

Sunday

Wedding Cocktail Hour

6:00pm - 7:00pm

•

Manahawkin, NJ

August 2016

06

Saturday

Corporate Event

2:00pm - 4:00pm

•

Danbury, CT

Set list

A typical cocktail hour might include:
1. "Natural Mystic" Bob Marley
2. "One Love" Bob Marley
3. "Is This Love" Bob Marley
4. "Hey Jude" reggae
5. Mighty Sparrow calypso medley with "Saltfish," "Jean & Dinah," "The
Lizard," "Obeah Wedding," "Drunk & Disorderly"
6. Lord Kitchener calypso medley with "Rain-o-rama," "Pan in Harmony,"
"Love in the Cemetery," "Symphony in G," "Pan in A Minor"
7. Traditional calypso medley with "Mary Anne," "Matilda," "Tay'Lay-Lay"
"Bahia Girl," "The Hammer," "Linstead Market," "Sly Mongoose," "Fire
Fire," etc.
8. "What a Wonderful World" reggae
9. "Wild World" Maxi Priest reggae
10. "Jamaica Farewell" & "Day-O (Banana Boat Song" calypso medley
11. "Desafinado" Latin
12. "Bailamos" Latin
13. "The Girl from Ipanema" Latin
14. "Margaritaville" Jimmy Buffet
15. "Under the Sea" Samuel E. Wright
16. "Feel Like Making Love" Roberta Flack easy groove
17. "How Deep is Your Love" Bee-Gees reggae

Other cocktail and party selections might include:
Reggae:
"Can't Help Falling in Love"
"No Woman, No Cry"
"Stir it Up"
"Red Red Wine"
"Jammin"
"Help Me Make it Through the Night"
"Master Blaster Jammin" (Stevie Wonder)
"I'm Yours"
"Killing Me Softly"
"Waiting in Vain"
"Hello" (Lionel Richie)
"Human Nature" (Michael Jackson"

Calypso/Soca:
"Hot Hot Hot"
"Bahia Girl"
"The Hammer"
"Tay-Lay-Lay (Walk a Mile and a Half)"
"St. Thomas"
"Sugar Bum-Bum"
"Ragga Ragga"
"Something's Happening" (Red Plastic Bag)
"Lovely Day"
"Toco Band" (Kitchener)
"Symphony on the Street" (Kitchener)
"Pan Earthquake" (Kitchener)
"The Bees Melody" (Kitchener)
"Mystery Band" (Kitchener)
"The Guitar Pan" (Kitchener)

"Summertime"
"My Isla Bonita"

Ceremony selections:
"Bridal March"
"Canon in D Major"
"Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring"
"One Love"
"Is This Love"
"Don't Worry, Be Happy"
"I'm Yours"
"Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World" medley

Gospel/Religious/Spiritual:
"The Prayer"
"Ave Maria"
"I Believe"
"His Eye is on the Sparrow"
"You Raise Me Up"
"The Greatest Love of All"
"When You Believe"
"Believe"
"Heal the World"
"Imagine"
"Hero"
"Jesus Loves Me"
"How Great Thou Art"
"The Old Rugged Cross"
"Take My Hand Precious Lord"

I PLAY HUNDREDS OF SONGS AND TAKE TIMELY REQUESTS

Influences and inspiration

I'm not sure that I have any real influences as far as the instrument is concerned. I've enjoyed steel pan virtuosos Len "Boogsie" Sharpe, Robert Greenidge and Andy Norrell, and some others, but I can't say I've copied from any of them. What I truly enjoy is music. Bob Marley's music has never died for me and I consider the late Lord Kitchener a genius of calypso medley, so I play both of them a lot. But there are also ballads, classical and gospel pieces I love to play. I play my music with feeling, and I don't think I copied this from any particular artist.

Setup requirements

I use the Bose Tower, which doesn't need a lot of space but is powerful. Eight to ten feet of space is ample, along with a working power outlet. For 2-4 hour events, please provide shade since both the instrument and equipment are sensitive.

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