According to folklore, a Trinidadian noticed the different pitches created when hammering the dents out of a garbage can. Instead of restoring it, he turned it into a musical instrument, later converting steel oil drums. The Tropics Steel Drum Band takes the unique sound of Trinidad and Tobago's steel drum music and mixes it with Caribbean Reggae, Calypso, Soca, pop and Ska. The band leader, Jahbee, is a veteran of the Caribbean music scene and was part of the popular Twin Cities reggae group Shangoya.
These programs are funded with money from Minnesota's Art and Cultural Heritage Fund.
