Contrast Steel Orchestra

About

Contrast Steel Band was established in 1974, through the creative vision of George Fisher with a humble set of pans worth just £265 and a vision to instil the steel pan in the heart of the community in Leicester. As the instrument was virtually unknown in the city, Fisher found attempts to receive aid from the Education Authority difficult initially. Despite this, Fisher sought out schools in the City who would agree to provide their pupils with steel pan lessons. Shenton Primary School then became the first school in Leicester to receive steel pan lessons with Fishers' steel pan tutor Cy Jean-Jacques. Cyprian Cuthbert Jean-Jacques, otherwise known as ‘Cy’, Mr. Jacques’ and ‘Mr. Contrast’, is a man for whom it is difficult to find the right words to describe what he means to each and every member of Contrast, both past and present. Cy was not only Contrast’s band leader, but also a music tutor with Leicestershire Arts in Education and a gifted musician. He had a charismatic teaching style and made his lessons fun whilst also demanding discipline and respect. This unique and passionate temperament gives contrast the values and morals we still uphold to this day. Cy emigrated back to St. Kitts and Nevis in 2002 and continued to teach the instruments in schools at home until his passing in 2010.