Catch Martin Ross’ steel drum music presentation at 8 a.m. on Sunday Oct. 11 at the Orangevale Grange. Admission is free, just come excited to learn about rich music history. Photo courtesy of Martin Ross

ORANGEVALE, CA (MPG) – Orangevale native, musician and former Salvation Army Pastor Martin Ross will give a presentation on the history of steel drum music on Sunday, Oct. 11 at the Orangevale Grange.

Ross has played the steel drums for years and is harnessing his passion for music and the Orangevale community by immersing the community into what makes the instrument so unique. Ross’s presentation will dive into the fusion of African and European cultures in music, and the rich history and sound of the steel drums.

Ross’s introduction to steel drum music began while he was attending classes at UC Berkeley as a chemical engineering student. He heard the magnetic sound echoing through the hallways and spotted the steel drum kit. Enamored by the sound of it, he later asked if he could join the jazz ensemble and the rest was history.

Ross says that while the presentation is educational it is also a way to bring the community together by describing how many cultures can work together to create something beautiful. Ross explains that music has been a way for him to build bridges in the community and this theme will be highlighted in his presentation.

“That’s why I love using it [the presentation] to be able to build some bridges and be that in the community. So that people can come together and get to know each other more,” Ross said. “I grew up having to learn to be an ambassador and I think I can help our area; our community be better. We are better together.”

However, this is not Ross’s first rodeo. Ross has made this presentation at schools and other public events, spreading his knowledge as both a musician and educator in many communities. The location of the Orangevale Grange is particularly impactful for him because of his roots growing up in Orangevale. Ross was invited to share his presentation by Orangevale Grange’s President Dave Dill while also inquiring him on becoming the musician of the month.

“I have an identical twin brother so both of us and my sister grew up in Orangevale and finished at San Juan High School,” Ross said. “I grew up in Orangevale and to get an opportunity to come and share at the Grange is amazing.”

Ross’s presentation takes the audience on a journey through the origins of steel drum music. Beginning with the middle passage of the slave trade, through the Caribbean and South America and making its way up from jazz, blues, gospel, classical and eventually all the way up into hip hop music.

Ross begins with teaching the importance of the infusion of cultures in steel drum music through a metaphorical food analogy.

“Gumbo is a blend of African, Spanish, French, English and Native cultures. What came out of a collision of cultures is something beautiful arose when we decided to cooperate and work together, it is unifying,” Ross said. “What kind of neighbor do we want to be? Are we better together, more flavorful, than we are apart?”

Ross also gets groovy with tying in some energetic dance moves to his presentation. Starting off with the 1920s fox trot while playing modern hip hop and R&B music. He continues this pattern with a 60s style dance and then incorporating pop and rock. Demonstrating how we can do different dances from different time periods but through the poly rhythm of music it flows together seamlessly.

Catch Martin Ross’ steel drum music presentation at 8 a.m. on Sunday Oct. 11 at the Orangevale Grange. Admission is free, just come excited to learn about rich music history!

“Everyone leaves with smiles, joy and understanding of how some of our music of the Americas came about,” Ross said. “They're also encouraged to think about interacting in better ways - and making our future brighter.”

Martin Ross will also appear on the November 2026 ballot as Los Rios Community College Trustee, Area 2.

Contact him at www.linktr.ee/martinross.