Chuck Brooker brings a history of success to Pan Sharks Steel Drum Entertainment. He has been a very innovative and strong supporter of steel drums in Brevard County for many years. He was the first person to bring the steel drum to the music students within Brevard County Public Schools. He established the highly sought after Westside Jammers student steel drum ensemble. The Westside Jammers Steel Drum Ensemble, performed in a large opening production number featuring an Ethnic-Folkloric theme, in the nationally televised 1999 Orange Bowl Parade. The Jammers performed in more than twenty performances a year in and around the communities of Brevard County, from Barefoot Bay to the Astronaut Hall of fame in Titusville, to the Orange Bowl parade in Miami. The were even special guests of the city of Palm Bay on an All America Award presentation in Washington, D. C.  in 2003.

From 1998-2003 Chuck was the music director at Westside Elementary. Under his direction the music department received statewide recognition from the Florida Arts Alliance as a music program of excellence and ranked in the top 5 of all music programs in primary and secondary schools in the state. In 2002 Westside’s music program was selected to the top ten list of all elementary music programs in the Nation by the Grammy Foundation in California. In November of 2002 he was given the honor of conducting middle and high school Concert Bands in Komoro, Japan while on a teaching fellowship with the prestigious Fulbright program. Chuck performed as trombonist with the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra in Palm Beach, Florida. Additionally he was a member of the Command Band of the Air Force Reserve, an active duty Air Force band unit. He distinguished himself by outstanding achievement during a performance in Moscow Russia, on May 2, 1992. This event constituted the first time in history an American military unit marched through Red Square by the walls of the Kremlin. Chuck was also a professional trombonist at Walt Disney World, holding positions with numerous ensembles at MGM Studios, EPCOT Center and the Magic Kingdom. He began his experience with Disney through his appointment to a position with Walt Disney World’s 1989 All American College Orchestra. Chuck  has entertained throughout the southeastern United States, performing with many ensembles, including the Bolshoi Ballet Festival Orchestra, Harid Conservatory Philharmonia and the Strauss Symphony of America, as well as with world-renowned artists such as Placido Domingo, Marilyn Horne, Roberta Peters, Rosemary Clooney, Bill Conti, Maureen McGovern and Toni Tennille. He has studied with many prominent performers, including members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Chuck received his Bachelors Degree in Music Performance from Palm Beach Atlantic College in West Palm Beach Florida.

Back to Top

Dick Cannata spent 24 years in the Air Force, traveling the world and developing a deep appreciation for cultures throughout the “little latitudes”.  During a three year assignment in Puerto Rico, he sailed to Islands across the Caribbean and became enamored with the distinctive sound of steel pans and island music.  With each new island visited, Dick learned more about the history and unique variations of the pan art form.
  After returning to the States, he couldn’t find enough “Caribbean Steel Music” to keep him happy so he bought his first pan (on eBay no less) and learned to play tenor lead.  He returns to the cultural and musical roots of steel pan each year by attending the Mannette Steel Drum workshop in Morgantown, W VA to work with clinicians under the direction of Dr Ellie Mannette, the gentleman credited with creating the first musical instrument from a 55 gallon drum and ushering in the modern steel drum era.  “My kids joke about their Dad going to ‘band camp’ but it’s much more than that for me – I get totally refreshed and inspired with the music and the art form”. “I also get to interact with some of the best steel pan players in the world”.  

When not playing pan, Dick works as a Senior Engineer at a local Defense contractor.  He says life is short so everyone should take time to enjoy music. As he puts it, “Pan be meh jombie”.  And beach music is his passion.

Back to Top

Patty Tesmacher

Back to Top