Marc Brooks: Inside the Steelpan Arranger’s Playbook (Skiffle, “Three Amigos,” Panorama & Process)

Step inside the mind of Marc Brooks— former steelpan arranger for Skiffle and one-third of the “Three Amigos” with Kendall Williams and Odie Franklin. In this in-depth conversation, Marc traces his journey from player to arranger, breaks down his arranging workflow (from tune selection to final cut), and shares real rehearsal moments that shaped performances on the road to Panorama.

What we cover

How Marc got involved in steelpan and transitioned to arranging

Influences and bands he’s worked with (including Skiffle)

Biggest accomplishments & the risks that paid off

Arranging process: tune choice → structure → development → polish

Balancing crowd melody with fresh harmonic ideas

The “Three Amigos” inside story (Brooks • Kendall • Odie)

What he’d fix with one extra rehearsal

Favorite arrangement(s) & advice to a 16-year-old arranger

What’s next + how to connect for scores/arrangements

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:07 Who is Marc Brooks?
00:13 From player to arranger
02:27 Influences
03:21 Bands worked with
04:50 Biggest accomplishments
06:54 Arranging process (tune → final cut)
10:31 Melody vs innovation
11:25 Risks that paid off
12:33 The “Three Amigos” with Skiffle
14:08 One more rehearsal: what to fix
14:59 Favorite arrangement
16:22 Advice for young arrangers
18:23 What’s next
19:00 How to contact Marc Brooks
19:51 Closing

🤝 Contact Marc / scores / clinics: www.paninmotion.com
📸 Instagram/TikTok: @percussive_influence

Want to learn more about people in the steelpan fraternity? Check out the following "Pan Stories" playlist:
   • Pan Stories  

Pan Alley Steel Orchestra 2025 panorama performance:
   • NY Panorama 2025: Pan Alley Steel Orchestra   

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