Mas at Sesame began at the interception of the organization with the children and adults both being involved in the production and participation. Since no one in the organization was really versed in the actual mas making, we decided to do something simple with printed Tee Shirts and sailor caps with Silhouettes Steel Orchestra supplying the beautiful music and we looked fantastic. Although the production was a big hit with our members and supporters, the adults lost interest in playing mas the following year.

In 1991, while President of Sesame Flyers International Incorporated, Winston Munroe was approached by Derrick Noel at the Hawks’ Christmas Dance to start an Adult Mas Band collaborative effort with his production company “Deck Production”.

After The Executive Committee welcomed the idea, Hyacinth Williams agreed to make a trip to Trinidad to scout out some of the mas producers. These prominent figures included Wayne Berkley, Peter Minshall, and Steven Lee Young. The decision was made to work with Steven Lee Young, since he seemed to be the most accommodating. Steve produced 1,000 costumes for Sesame Flyers carnival in 1992 with the theme “Excerpts Of The New World”. After the successful mas campaign on the parkway, the production changed the face of Mas in Brooklyn, New York.

Sesame Flyers placed third in the competition that year and have not looked back since.

Sesame Flyers carnival band history