Author Spotlight
Peter Ray Blood
Featured Contributor & Cultural Historian
"I saw it as my crusade to use the media to expose, showcase, champion, and lift our calypso, pan, chutney, parang, and indigenous artistes onto the main stage."
Location: Trinidad & Tobago
The Caribbean Arts Forum is honored to host a curated collection of Peter Ray Blood's live performance reviews, show coverage, and cultural commentary.
Career Highlights
PULSE BY BLOODLINE
LAUNCH OF PANORAMA 2O27
After Trinidad and Tobago attained Independence on August 31, 1962, the first National Steelband Panorama Competition was held in February 1963. It was staged at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, by the National Association of Trinidad and Tobago Steelbandsmen (NATTS), under the presidency of the late George Goddard, and the now defunct Carnival Development Committee, chaired by the late Ronald Williams. The first competition was won by North Stars Steel Orchestra of Bombay Street, St James, under the leadership of Anthony "Muff Man" Williams.
Pan Trinbago Inc will launch the 2027 National Panorama Competition on Sunday, October 18, at Desperadoes Steel Orchestra Pan Theatre, 6-8 George Street, Port-of-Spain, at 4 p.m.
The 2027 competition is themed "Bring Yuh Energy, Match D Rhythm." At the launch, pan lovers can look forward to an evening of dynamic performances celebrating the power, precision and passion of the national instrument.
The launch carries added significance as the nation continues to celebrate as Panorama approaches its 64th year in 2027, the competition remains a powerful expression of the country's cultural identity, musical innovation and community spirit.
The launch will feature six dynamic youth steel orchestras, showcasing the next generation of talent and the continuing legacy of the Steelpan Movement: Shell Invaders, bp Renegades, Massy Trinidad All Stars, Desperadoes, First Citizen Supernovas and T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps.
The event will also feature special guest artiste, former Groovy and Power Soca Monarch Competition finalist Erphaan Alves, adding to an exciting programme of musical performances.
Established in 1963, T&T Panorama is the biggest steelband platform on the planet. It has evolved into a globally recognised cultural phenomenon showcasing the extraordinary talent, discipline and artistry that make Panorama a cornerstone of Trinidad and Tobago's steelbands.
Rashaun Myers-Williams, arranger of Shell Invaders Under-21 Steel Orchestra, winner of the 2026 National Steelband Panorama Under-21 Competition
Shell Invaders Under-21 Steel Orchestra, winner of the 2026 National Steelband Panorama Under-21 Competition
Career Highlights
HOME
One of the Region's Foremost Cultural Authorities
Peter Ray Blood is a titan of Caribbean cultural journalism. With a career spanning over four decades, his sharp commentary, vivid event reporting, and unwavering devotion to West Indian arts have documented the evolving heartbeat of Trinidad & Tobago’s culture.
Beyond the newsroom, Peter played an instrumental role in regional cultural expansion, including co-founding Jamaica Carnival in 1988 alongside Byron Lee. A veteran adjudicator for steelband, calypso, and carnival competitions across the Caribbean and North America he received the prestigious **SUNSHINE Lifetime Achievement Award** in 2015 for his lifelong contribution to Caribbean arts documentation.
Born in Laventille and educated at Queen's Royal College (QRC), Peter initially began his professional life as an IBM systems programmer. In 1980, driven by a deep-seated passion for the arts, he shifted careers to journalism. Over the following forty years, he established himself as one of the region's foremost cultural authorities—serving as Arts & Entertainment Editor for both the *Trinidad Express* and the *Trinidad and Tobago Guardian*. Through iconic columns like **Bloodline** and **Pulse**, his writing gave voice to generations of musicians, panmen, masqueraders, and stage performers.
Career Highlights
HOME
Media Career
Peter began his career in journalism in the early 1980s after transitioning from an initial background in computer programming. He worked for major national newspapers in Trinidad & Tobago, spending over a decade at the Trinidad Express and over two decades at the Trinidad Guardian, where he served as the Arts and Entertainment Editor. His freelance work included writing for the BBC, The Gleaner and Jamaica Observer (Jamaica); The Nation and The Advocate (Barbados); The Voice (St Lucia); and Stabroek News (Guyana).
Columns
He authored prominent long-running columns on culture and lifestyle, including "Bloodline" in the Express and "Pulse" in the Trinidad Guardian.
Adjudication Legacy
Over his career, he has served as an official judge for nearly every major cultural competition in Trinidad & Tobago, including Calypso Monarch competitions, Steelpan (Pan), Parang festivals, Chutney, and regional carnivals across North America and the Caribbean.
Early Tech Career
Before becoming a household name in media, he spent over a decade in computer science working as a systems analyst and programmer on IBM mainframe systems.
He transitioned to journalism in 1980 under legendary editors such as Owen Baptiste, Keith Smith, and Raoul Pantin. He went on to edit The Sun evening newspaper before serving as Arts & Entertainment Editor at both the Trinidad Express and Trinidad Guardian.
Recognition
In 2015, he was awarded the prestigious SUNSHINE Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to Caribbean arts and cultural documentation.
Pioneer of Jamaica Carnival (1988)
In 1988, he was personally selected by the late Byron Lee—alongside figures like Stephen Lee Heung, Peter Minshall, Allison Hennessey Angela Fox and Iwer George—to help conceive and launch Jamaica Carnival.
Promoter & DJ Culture
During his early career, he managed major Port of Spain discotheques like Impact and Rolls Royce International, welcoming and hosting international stars visiting Trinidad. Peter hosted a radio call-in programme on 105.1FM.
Cultural Crusade
His career-long mission has been lifting indigenous music—Calypso, Steelpan, Soca, Parang, and Chutney—from the margins into mainstream, dignified media space.
Peter played pan for Phase II Pan Groove and 3rd World Symphony and is a foundation member of Pandemonium Steel Orchestra. He is currently a Trustee of the Desperadoes Elders Committee and a committee member of the Laventille Steelband Festival Foundation.
Welcome to the Caribbean Arts Forum
The Caribbean Arts Forum is honored to host a curated collection of Peter Ray Blood's live performance reviews, show coverage, and cultural commentary.
Articles
Peter's Recent Reviews
A BC Pires NEWSDAY Feature - Monday 2 August 2021
Interview
_JPG.jpg)
Bloodline Podcast
_JPG.jpg)
.jpg)
Peter's Recent Reviews
_JPG.jpg)
