Originally from Kansas City, Mo., Bryan Alford Jr. performed as a drum-set player all his life until he fell in love with the steel pan while studying music at Missouri Western State University in 1993. Though he marched center snare at MWSU, his love for steel drums led him to West Virginia to study with Dr. Ellie Mannette. Upon returning from West Virginia Bryan formed his band “Caribbean Steel” a calypso and soca band that fuses jazz and R&B. Bryan performed with them for several years before he began to perform as a solo artist. He is also a sought after musician on the gospel circuit. Bryan has performed with Asaph “Alex” Ward featuring the gospel singing group High Praise and has recorded steel drums or percussion on the following CD’s: The Tommie’s, NWDC Choir “In the Sanctuary” Live and Christ Temple “Temple Worship Live.”  Bryan believes that God gives us the gift of music and that music is his ministry. He is the former Minister of Music for the North Western District Council that covers 3 states Colorado, Kansas & Missouri. Bryan currently resides in St. Joseph, Mo. He is the owner of “Alford Music” percussion school, a cast member of the professional percussion ensemble “Sticks of Thunder” and the 2008 recipient of the Kelsey Beshears award, an award given by the NAACP and the YWCA for racial equality and his work with youth in the community. www.caribbeansteellive.com