Steel Expressions Orchestra
Pan Personalities
Rudolph Charles
Rudolph Charles also known as "The Hammer" steelpan instrument inventor, tuner and the leader of the West Indian Tobacco Desperadoes steel orchestra in 1961 and led until his death in 1985. This well-known successful leader was a musician and community leader among the people of Lavantille gaining respect from all steelpan musicians throughout the world. Over the years he made a number of decisions that changed the band's participation in carnival events and activities. He was scrupulous and always aware of the details surrounding the administration and process of the orchestra's activities. He was instrumental in changing the band's name from "Gay Desperadoes" (due to its negative connotation) to "Desperadoes," he was also the inventor of the (1) 9-bass steelpan (2) the rocket pan, (3) the 12 bass steelpan, (4) the quadraphonic pan (5) the triple second with foot bass. His tuning style is a mellow organ tone and is characteristic of the band. He displayed a "labour of love of the music", the steel orchestra and the instrument and has a place in the history of pan that will be unchallenged for many years in the future.
Clive Bradley
Clive Bradley is a prominent arranger for the West Indian Tobacco (WITCO) Desperadoes Steel Orchestra having a unique style that can be described as deliberate. Most of his musical
scores are received very favourably by the steel pannists and have stood the test of time. Clive Bradley can be described as an arranger with the ability to communicate his scores with precision through a guitar, a recorder and through his voice. His style is to rework the introduction at the finale with a short summary then a finale. Some of his many notable arrangements include:"Sa Sa Ya," Margie," "Bassman" " Fever" "Pan in Harmony" "Crawford" "Pan in the Twenty-first Century" "Rebecca" and "The Jammer." His arrangements with WITCO Desperadoes were winners in 1976 "Pan in Harmony," 1977 "Crawford" and 1983, "Rebecca." One arrangement that is highly acknowledged is Bradley's "Sailing" where the musicians used the pan sticks (without rubber) to create the sound of falling rain. In 1998, he won the National Steelpan Panorama competition arranging David Rudder's "High Mas" for the Arima NuTones steel orchestra. Bradley took Nutones to victory with "High Mas" with interpretations
of two classics: "In a Monastery's Garden" and Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus."
Beverly Griffith
Beverly Griffith an accomplished musician and arranger for the West Indian Tobacco (WITCO) Desperadoes Steel Orchestra. He has worked jointly with fellow arranger Robert Greenidge on a number of occasions to direct the WITCO Desperadoes and win the first prize at the National Panorama steelband competition as recently as 1994. In 1965, he arranged "Hold On To Your Man" and gave it a form more extended than before from Anthony Williams. Mr Griffith is noted for his arrangement that blend classical into his calypso compositions. Over the years has composed "The Road," "Mama Dis is Mas," "Obeah Wedding," "The Governor's Ball," "Mr Walker," "Pan Night and Day," "The Hammer," "Pan in A Minor," "Panama," "Fire Coming Down."
Robert Greenidge
Robert Greenidge a pannist and composer of steelpan music, his composition has won the National Steelpan Panorama competition when the WITCO Desperadoes played "Musical Volcano" in 1991 and in 1994 with fellow arranger Beverly Griffith. Mr Greenidge has excelled in composing music for the steelpan and for the WITCO Desperadoes in particular. Over the years his compositions have inspired many younger pannists to add their personal touch to the music played by the steelpan orchestras through working with selected orchestras and writing their own compositions. Some of his compositions include: "More Pan," "Somebody," We Ain't Going Home," "Pan is Mih Jumbie," and "Street Party."
Ray Holman
Ray Holman a quiet persuasive innovator is greatly admired by most steelpan musicians and patrons of the national panorama competition. A professional player of the double second and tenor pans winning the ping-pong solo in 1964. He has been innovative in pan men composing and arranging their own calypsoes for the national Panorama competition. Mr Holman is instrumental in motivating others to provide indigenous music for the instrument. In 1988, he was awarded the Humming Bird Silver Medal for Merit for his outstanding contribution to pan. Arranging music began for Mr Holman at age 16 with Invaders Steel Orchestra he then went on to write his first piece of music "Ray's Saga" at age 17 followed by "Socking it with Steel" with Starlift Steel Orchestra in 1970. Interpretation and structure of a panorama tune is different for Mr Holman, he perceives it like a concerto a lead instrument and an orchestra providing the background. Contributions to panorama include: in 1969 the strumming cellos and guitars creating a new rhythm, more solo passages and more elements of jazz making the music more lyrical and the bringing the tassa drums in the steel band. One of his concerns about the music is the pace of the panorama pieces, Mr Holman suggests that the fast pace is hampering the performance of the music destroying the beauty of the music. In effect, the judges do not have a clear understanding of the instrument and concept
therefore the results would be regressive for the steelpan movement.
Neville Jules
Neville Jules is an experienced and accomplished steelpan tuner, arranger, pan player and former leader of the Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars. He is recognized for initiating the
steelpan competition "The Bomb" held on Carnival Monday. According to a report, Mr Jules had his musicians play ‘the bomb" tune with their fingers so the sound would be contained and avoid other competitors from hearing the musical piece before the competition. Mr Jules leadership and musical skills helped organize All Stars steel orchestra making it into one of the better steel orchestras in Trinidad and Tobago. Today, All Stars is an institution, having won panorama competitions and classical music festivals. The band's
repertoire includes calypso, classical and contemporary selections with the versatility to include large choirs in a concert format. In 1997, Neville Jules celebrated his 70th birthday and was honoured in Trinidad by the steelband movement for his work with All stars and
the community spanning some 50 years. He acknowledges his colleagues for supporting his efforts, gives tributes to his forerunners and suggests that it was a group effort to establish the steel orchestra. His attitude was always positive, willing to nuture and provide support to all band members. His vision of the community, steelband and the instrument was an inspiration for many young women and men in the steelband movement.
Rudy Smith
Rudy Smith, Sweden based "two left" Smith, plays the alto steel drums, is a composer, recording artist and arranger. His music can be described as a fusion between pan and jazz , in be-bop and is referred to the jazz king of steeldrums. Smith is an accomplished arranger and is respected for his ability to write scores for the medium. His 1984 recording, Be Bach, provides an interplay of piano, steelpan, and bass and demonstrates the versatility of the
instrument, indicates that pan can hold its own on the world stage. Music reviews describes his performance "as floating the notes above his double tenors against the hot progressive jazz accompaniment of piano, bass and drums." Smith is known internationally for his
performances in jazz festivals in Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Africa, Belgium, West Indies, Holland, Finland and USA. He continues to play in live concerts and clubs in Scandinavia, Spain, Italy, Germany, Africa, West Indies, Belgium and Holland. He has recorded with top
Swedish musicians on labels as EMI, and Sanch.
Jit Samaroo
Jit Samaroo is arranger for Amoco Renegades Steel Orchestra. His involvement with the steelpan began at age ten when he joined the "Village Boys" a pan around the neck steelband. His role models are steelband arrangers Tony Williams, Ray Holman, Clive
Bradley, and Earl Rodney. In 1971 he began arranging for the panorama competition with the Amoco Renegades and his association with the band. Butch Kellman the band's tuner played a significant role in connecting Samaroo with the band and the trio is responsible
for keeping Amoco Renegades in the winner's circle since 1980. In 1989, Samaroo used six rhythms in one calypso arrangement; soca, merengue, samba, zouk, calypso, and disco. He has a unique style for structuring the arrangement as he incorporates the middle and
background instruments of the steel orchestra. His accomplishments are outstanding, winning Panorama on several occasions beginning in 1982 with Pan Explosion a composition by Lord Kitchener. Mr Samaroo is also a composer for various steelpan festivals such as Indian Orchestra Festival, Parang on Steel Competition, and Pan is Beautiful Music Festival. He travels internationally with the Amoco Renegades playing in France and Japan.
Andy Narell
Andy Narell, , the world's most renowned steelpan master continues to apply his unorthodox instrument to diverse musical settings in which it had not previously been utilized. His new
release, Behind The Bridge, Narell combines North American jazz and Antilean and Brazilian genres. He successfully unifies the musical styles of the Western hemisphere, furthering the Pan-American ideals of the late Dizzy Gillespie and other artists who have attempted to
merge jazz with world music. Hailed as an honorary "Trini", Narell has frequently traveled to Trinidad, where he has performed with his band as well as with such artists as David Rudder, Charlie's Roots, Ray Holman, Len "Boogie Sharpe, Robert Greenidge and 100 member
steelbands at the annual Panorama Festival. Narell's strong ties with Trinidad's musical heritage can be appreciated in his renditions of calypsoc/soca pieces as Nuff Respect and Rainorama. While maintaining strong links with Trinidad's music scene, Narell has worked in numerous jazz and world music contexts, including eight previous recording as a leader. A new path in his career began in 1993 when he joined forces with saxophonist/clarinest Paquito D'Rivera and vibraphonist/marimbero Dave Samuels to organize the innovative Caribbean Jazz Project. The production exhibited the unique instrumentation and dynamic interaction while blending contemporary jazz elements with abundant Caribbean and Latin
American rhythms.
Ken "Professor" Philmore
Ken "Professor" Philmore, comes from Trinidad and Tobago and is one of the top steel pan soloists in the world. "Professor" began his fascination with the steelpan when he was four years old. In 1974, at age fifteen, he joined the Hatters Steel orchestra with the intention of developing his skills as an arranger and player. In 1989, Philmore was honored by the Pan Trinbago, as the most outstanding musical arranger. He also received a special award for
his contribution to music by Mayor Koch of New York City. Following his successes in Los Angeles, and numerous standing ovations, at Madison Square Garde in New York, Philmore was invited by Mercer Ellington to join the prestigious Duke Ellington Orchestra for their
tours to Europe and North America. On their 1990 album, Music is My Mistress, Ken was the featured soloist on the selection "Queenie Pie Reggae". His more recent appearances include: 1991 1993 Washington DC Pan Jazz Festival, 1992, 1993 St.Croix Jazz Festival, 1993
Atlanta Jazz festival, 1997 Barbados Jazz Festival. Since 1987 Professor has produced eight albums -has performed and recorded with a number of international artists such as Tito Puente, Ella Fitzgerald, Phyllis Hyman, Nancy Wilson, Tina Turner, Andy Narell, Ralph MacDonald, George Howard, and jazz great Lionel Hampton. His impact on the pan arena and young pannist has been nothing short of phenomenal.
Len "Boogsie" Sharpe
Len "Boogsie" Sharpe is considered one of the foremost steelpan players today. "Boogsie" began playing the steel drum at age five. He had mastered the instrument by the time he reached his teens. With his exceptional talent, Sharpe has expanded the bounds
of steelpan music, reaching performance heights unequaled by any other artist in the instrument's relatively short fifty year history.
Sharpe has recorded with all the leading soca and calypso singers - The Mighty Sparrow, Lord Kitchener, Duke, Black Stalin, Chalkdust, Baron, and explainer, to name a few. He has also worked with some of the greatest jazz artists of all time - Othello Molineaux, Randy
Weston, Garry Burton, Grover Washington Jr., Eric Gale, Nathon Davis and Andy Narell.
Boogie's genius was first evident in his arrangement of cover tunes and original compositions for calypsonians and steel drum orchestras in the Caribbean, North America and U.K. In 1989, he arranged for 8 of the 48 bands in the national preliminaries steel drum competition in Trinidad and Tobago, and 4 of the 12 finalists in the same competition.
Steel bands he has worked with include: Antillian All Stars; BWIA Invaders; Deltones; Despers U.S.A.; Halcyon, Antigua; Moods Pan Groove, NY; Our Boys Steel Orchestra, Tobago and CA; Pamberi; Petrotrin Phase 11; Potential Symphony; Starlift; Silver Stars; Solo Harmonites; Tropical Angel Harps; Valley Harps; WITCO Desperadoes. As a composer, he has been composer in residence at Phase II Pan Grove a steel orchestra in Trinidad and Tobago.
Othello Molineaux
Othello Molineaux was acclaimed "Trinidad's greatest musical ambassador." by a leading newspaper from Trinidad and Tobago. He is a pan virtuoso with a commitment to promote the
instrument internationally. This professional steel-drummer began playing the steel drums when he was ten years old. He organised his steel band "The Wonder Harps" at age15, and has been an arranger of steel band music for more than 30 years. His musical talents go
beyond the steel drum; he plays the piano, congas and bass.
In 1957, he migrated from Trinidad and Tobago to St. Thomas U.S.Virgin Islands. He worked with the school board to improve students' knowledge of the instrument and was successful in introducing steel drums in the school curriculum. It was in St. Thomas that he formed a band that combined the steel drum with conventional instruments.
Molineaux's accomplishments are too numerous to mention, however, some of the highlights relating to receiving musical honours include: 1993 Best Jazz album - Its about time - New Times, Miami.
Molineux 's CD, "Its About Time" received excellent reviews and was described as, "A double record to watch for on both charts; Jazz and A2." "Hannibal's Return" and Jaco Pastorius' "Havana" are two inspiring tracks that provide jazz interpretation by steel drums.
Molineaux's most recent recording is with Ahmad Jamal, Atlantic 83115 "Nature."
His dedication to the instrument can be appreciated in his book: "Beginning Steel Drum", learning to play the lead steel drum. This method book is based on the generally accepted tuning by the majority of steel drum makers and players which incorporates a
circle of 4ths and 5ths from middle C up two octaves and a major third to E. The text is published by Warner Bros. Publications.
Anthony Williams
Anthony Williams or"Muff" is one of the most innovative steel drum makers of the world. His involvement starts with his interpretation of the potential sounds of the steel drum in
the instrument's formative years. Williams work began in the 1940's when he recognized change was needed to improve the sound and tone of the drums.
A true pioneer and accomplished innovator, Williams was born in Trinidad and Tobago. Othello Molineaux describes him as "a trail blazer." Reports show that in 1946, Williams suggested to the members of the steel orchestra, "Sufferers", they should use
discarded oil drums because the band was in need of steel pans. The idea was not accepted but Williams took discarded oil drums in the area of Mucurapo and tuned a ping pong from two oil drums. (Thomas XVI)
In 1954, Williams arranged Pan Am North Stars double strumming so they were suspended from wooden stands rather than from being balanced on seated players knees. Williams is also credited for putting wheels on the bottom of the pans. In 1957, Williams had Pan
Am North Stars playing on the road with two basses on wheels. This started the trend to mount basses on wheels in the steel orchestras.
This quiet individual can be credited for a number of outstanding achievements:
- first to design and use an oversized tenor pan that is currently in use.
- first to create a unique tone different from other steel orchestras. Reports state that Pan Am North Stars provided a unique sound that was different from the other existing steel
bands. (Pan Am versus the Rest).
- first to have a steel band play classical music.
- first to blend the piano and the steel drum in concert.
- first arranger to win the National Panorama competition - with Pan Am North Stars
- first to be a steel drum maker, tuner, arranger, leader and manager of a successful steel orchestra - Pan Am North Stars..
Steelpan Personalities courtesy of Steelpan.com