Denzil "Belt" Botus
Denzil "Belt" Botus is a pannist from Trinidad. He is best known for holding the record for most winning steel band Panoramaarrangements and his heavy jazz influence in calypso/soca music. Botus has been active since the 1960s and is considered one of the best steel drummers in the world. He currently resides in the New York City area and is available for private functions in the area. "Belt" began playing with the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra in the early '60s and became one of that orchestra's top steelpan musicians. In 1969, Botus moved to New York and in 1976 formed what is now known as "Despers USA". In the late 1970s, he moved to Boston where he formed "Real Steel". Real Steel toured North America and won the International Music Festival in 1983. Real Steel was not only the only steel band in New England to win a competition outside of New England, but the only steel band to win a music competition outside of steel band competitions. Botus also wrote and performed steel drum music on the soundtrack to The Brother from Another Planet. He moved back to Trinidad in 1985, but returned when he would achieve his biggest feat and the biggest feat in steel band. As arranger for Despers USA, he won New York's Panorama six years in a row from 1993 through 1998 He has been called the "best steel band arranger in America". He also has toured the world with numerous ensembles. Botus retired from arranging in 2004 but came out of retirement recently to arrange for Dem Stars Steel Orchestra for New York's 2007 panorama. His daughter, Debra "Sista D" Sarjeant, has also won Boston's steel band competition six years in a row (1991–1996) and is currently the bandleader of reggae band Dis-N-Dat. His grandson Charleston Sarjeant is also a steelpan player and arranger, having founded and led the New England band "Pan United" since 2001, and winning numerous awards and competitions with that ensemble.
