Conversations with Alan Lightner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alan Lightner

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey through music began at an early age with my first love – my love of drumming. I received formal training from age 11 with private drum lessons and then a spot in my school’s Beginning Orchestra class. Around this same time, friends and I formed a band and started rehearsing in the school’s band room. Since there were two of us that played drums, we decided to trade off on songs – while one was playing drum set, the other would try his hand at various percussion instruments. On one particular song (“Still”, by The Commodores), our keyboard player wanted some support, so he showed me how to play a simple little melody on a vibraphone that was in the room. This was my first real experience with melodic percussion and was when and where my musical journey branched into what would later take over my life.
I continued to play music, formally and informally, all the way into my college years at the University of California, Berkeley. Although I was preparing to declare my major in physics, I was also exploring and learning music from all over the world. I was especially drawn to the music of west Africa and Caribbean islands. When I discovered Trinidadian steel pans through a class taught by steel pan master, Jeff Narell, I knew that I had found an instrument almost perfectly suited for my personal expression through music. Very soon, I joined my instructor’s professional band and was exposed to a much higher level of musicianship and professionalism. I was meeting and playing with musicians that I had previously only heard on recordings! I also, quickly realized that I would need to switch my focus and pursue a degree in music so that my curricular and extracurricular activities were more in line.
Upon graduating with a BA in music, I was hired to be the director of the steel pan and drum set departments at the East Bay Center for Performing Arts. I held that position with great success for eight years. I was in fact, included in the sixth edition of “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers”. During this time, I continued to be a sought-after freelance drummer, percussionist and steel pan player performing with up-and-coming artists as well as some musical legends. I joined with a few other pan players to form a band called Pan Ramajay. It was with this band that I got my first experience with high level composing, arranging, recording and national touring. During this time, I was also getting a taste of international touring both as a percussionist and a steel pan player.
Finally, the time seemed right to move back to where I grew up, and to where different musical opportunities were available – Los Angeles. Since moving back to L.A., I have been involved with a huge variety of projects in music. I almost immediately formed my own band, Pan Dulce, and started playing locally and recording. I joined in with other musicians and bands that provided even more chances for national and international touring. I have performed for, and on countless television episodes. I really enjoy playing on major film scores – in which I have worked as a percussionist, steel pan player and a drum set player. I have performed for live theater performances and toured with live music/film performances. I continue to teach – privately, through existing programs, and nationally as a touring clinician. I get hired to play a great deal of private events and I also still really enjoy playing at my local solo steel pan brunch gig that I’ve held for more than fifteen years! Between recording, performing and teaching – between drum set, percussion and steel pans – I remain excited on this busy and fulfilling journey through music!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No well-travelled road is completely smooth. There have been times when issues in my personal life (relationships, family, etc.) have presented some professional obstacles. Lucky for me, music has always provided solace and joy, so professional obstacles are easier to overcome.
One particular set-back that was completely my own fault and that I still regret happened soon after I moved back to Los Angeles. I was lucky enough to be called to record on a major studio (Disney) film scoring session. This was a tremendous opportunity for me – one that so many great musicians would love to have. Even with all of my professional experience, I had no clue about the level of professionalism that is the culture of the musicians that get these calls regularly. I showed up to the session on-time by local gig standards – but at least forty five minutes late by film scoring standards. I never recovered from the nervousness and embarrassment of me loading in, trying to set up my gear and prepare to sight read and record the music in front of all these amazing session musicians, the composer, the film director and MYSELF! My worst performance on one the most important jobs that I had ever had up to that point.
That was truly a learning experience. It took me years to regain trust and confidence in that community. I was my own biggest challenge!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am probably best known for my creative and often fiery improvising style on steel pans. Within the steel pan world, I’m also known for my compositions and arrangements that almost always feature elements of African and Afro-Caribbean music infused with r&b, funk and jazz.
On drum set and percussion, my steady danceable groove is what is appreciated most. In all of my playing, I strive to be as musical as possible – always keeping the entire song or piece of music in mind.
In my teaching roles, I’m really happy about how well I seem to be able to reach each of my students – no matter their background, age, musical knowledge or ability. Being knowledgeable, compassionate and basically, nice goes a long way when trying to encourage improvement in your students. This ability also helps when communicating ideas to fellow band members.
There’s a partial list of some of the amazing people and projects that I’ve been a part of on my website: alanlightner.com

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Music is the great unifier and healer. There’s no greater sense of community than what you feel when playing music with and for other people. Everyone brings their own unique voice to create something special!
By the way, I don’t consider myself a real singer, but I’m very often called upon to be THE singer in ensembles. I do enjoy arranging and recording vocals. I guess my voice has a certain quality that makes it appealing to some.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: instagram.com/alanlightner instagram.com/pandulce.alanlightner
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@alanlightner8800
• Other: https://pandulcefeaturingalanlightner.bandcamp.com