Alan Bates has directed the Steel Drum Program at the Horace Mann School in Bronx, NY since 2009.  Approximately 300 High School and Middle School students participate each year.  Previously Alan was Artist-in-Residence at the International Arts Business High School, Brooklyn, NY where he received Young Audiences of NY Teaching Artist-of- the Year Award for his work with their 30 piece Steelband.  He is also Musical Director for Steel Passion, the Steelband of Christ Episcopal Church in Tarrytown, NY and leader of Island Breeze Caribbean Ensemble, a professional group that performs for parties, corporate events and concerts in the New York City area.  In the 2011 Brooklyn Panorama Alan played single tenor with Crossfire.  He has been to Trinidad Panorama three times.

Alan took up the playing the steel pans when he lived in St. John, US Virgin Islands for a year in 1989/90.  He was already a professional drummer and vibes player on the New York City scene since 1977.  His credits include backing up many jazz artists such as; Ron Carter, Marian McPartland, “Brother” Jack McDuff, Groove Holmes, Warren Vache Jr., and entertainment giants, Sammy Davis Jr. and Bob Hope.  He spent a year, 1986/87 playing drums with Japan’s #1 Big Band, the Sharps & Flats.  His recordings include: “Living It Up,” with Brother Jack McDuff, “The Answer is Inside,” with Steve Adelson, “The City Never Sleeps,” with the Bill Warfield Big Band, and his own CD “Pan Fried.”  Alan has played steelpan on TV and Radio jingles for; Mastercard, Visa, Morgans Rum and drums & vibes on jingles for Revlon, and Blimpies and others.