Hameed Shaqq, known as “The Pan Piper of Toronto”, is a name synonymous with Steel Pan music excellence and activism. Shaqq hails originally from Arima in Trinidad, where he played and learned to develop love and respect for the Steel Pan Instrument. He first started playing Steel pan with Arima All Stars; The first steelband to senerade and welcome Haile Sallassie  on his historical visit to Trinidad and Tobago (at 1.31 Arima All Stars playing Sparrow’s Three chrees to Garfield Sobers)Shaqq  is an original member of the Pan Pipers Steelband from Arima, went on to play with Shell Invaders, Coco Cola Silver Stars and Solo Harmonites, where he was greatly influenced and trained by some of Trinidad’s Virtuosos of Steel pan music including Earl Rodney, Junior Puchete, BobbyMohammed and others. (Trinidad)