Cliff Alexis, Steel Pan Trail-Blazer in Academia

The linchpin for the NIU steelpan program’s success

by Les Slater

Global - “Do you want me to lose my job?” That was the reaction Clifford Alexis remembers he and the man who was his mentor at Northern Illinois University (NIU), Prof. Al O’Connor, got from an official in the university’s Human Resources division when O’Connor sought to bring Alexis on board, back in 1986, as resident steel pan expert, to give a boost to the program O’Connor had started since the early 70s. The initial resistance they encountered at Human Resources was somewhat of a jolt to Prof. O’Connor who expected that with Alexis being exceptionally skilled in such an unusual area, the normal rules of academic employment wouldn’t be so strictly adhered to.

In spite of O’Connor’s being a bit flustered upon discovering that Alexis would have to be “tested”, his grand design to have the school’s steel pan program given some fresh legs via Alexis’ input was firmly back on track after Alexis acquitted himself well on the test prepared by the state’s education department. Alexis, possessing the rare abilities to build and tune steel pan instruments, as well as arrange the music and impart it to the uninitiated, would soon have what was a program participated in by just seven students expanded to more than thirty. Even more impressive, steel pan as a major for undergraduates would in short order become a reality at the school.

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In January of 1986, six months after immigrating to the US, I met Mr. Clifford Alexis at the home of Hugh Borde in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where I had been staying. Mr. Alexis came to tune the pans for Hugh's band. As an introduction, Hugh said: "Clifford, you know who this is? This is George big son."
Mr. Alexis looked at me and immediately responded: "You is George son? You doh know your father. Let me tell you the kind of man your father was..." He then went on to explain that he was a part of a steelband tour, and that on the final night of the tour, daddy called all the panmen together. Clifford then told me how daddy started explaining that he understood there were no opportunities for them in Trinidad, and began handing each one of them their passports, advising them not to return home (defect). He told them that he would return and "take the heat" for his decision. (Obviously, he was violating US immigration law.) Shortly thereafter, Mr. Clifford Alexis would found the first steelpan program in an undergraduate program at the University of Illinois in De Kalb. If Mr. Alexis had not shared that story with me, I would, most likely, never have known about it. If George Goddard had not made the decision on that moment in history, the pan program at De Kalb campus may have never materialized.

Replies

Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks March 8, 2012 at 8:14am

In January of 1986, six months after immigrating to the US, I met Mr. Clifford Alexis at the home of Hugh Borde in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where I had been staying. Mr. Alexis came to tune the pans for Hugh's band. As an introduction, Hugh said: "Clifford, you know who this is? This is George big son."
Mr. Alexis looked at me and immediately responded: "You is George son? You doh know your father. Let me tell you the kind of man your father was..." He then went on to explain that he was a part of a steelband tour, and that on the final night of the tour, daddy called all the panmen together. Clifford then told me how daddy started explaining that he understood there were no opportunities for them in Trinidad, and began handing each one of them their passports, advising them not to return home (defect). He told them that he would return and "take the heat" for his decision. (Obviously, he was violating US immigration law.) Shortly thereafter, Mr. Clifford Alexis would found the first steelpan program in an undergraduate program at the University of Illinois in De Kalb. If Mr. Alexis had not shared that story with me, I would, most likely, never have known about it. If George Goddard had not made the decision on that moment in history, the pan program at De Kalb campus may have never materialized.
- GospelPan > Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks March 8, 2012 at 2:19pm
  
  Ghost, thanks for sharing those vital facts, I have met Clifford and Liam and never knew the source of their origins at the University until now...
  - Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks > GospelPan March 8, 2012 at 2:46pm
    
    Thanks GospelPan, I just want to be clear, that Mr. Alexis did not say that my dad was the source to him becoming a part of the university. What he told me was that my dad was responsible for him being able to stay in the US and pursue his career. I have no idea if that is a fact, but it is what Mr. Alexis told me, in the presence of Mr. Hugh Borde. Also, it would be relatively easy to figure out if this claim is a fact. You can ask Mr. Alexis if he has recollection of my dad's actions, and of him telling it to me at Borde's home. Either way, we can also establish a time-line of events leading up to Mr. Alexis' immigrating to the United States, and see if their are any links to George Goddard as President of NATTS (and a personal friend of "Uncle Cliff"). GHOST.
    
    BTW - You may also verify with WST member "spiceman", who will verify my conversation with Mr. Alexis in January of 1986.
- Bugs > Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks March 8, 2012 at 8:37am
  
  This is a great story George. Much is owed to your father.
  
  By the way Diaz of Pan Trinbago talks about the work of your father and his fight for Panorama in the WST Dalton Narine notes. http://www.panonthenet.com/tnt/2012/news/panorama-notes-ramajaying-...
  
  bugs
  - Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks > Bugs March 8, 2012 at 10:24am
    
    Thanks, Bugs. Your appreciation for my dad's contributions is acknowledged. Thank also, for appreciating my unselfish sharing of unknown stories like this one. Take care, brother. Hotep (Peace).

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