by Dalton Narine
Global - Les Slater, chair of the T&T Folk Arts Institute in New York and a former Highlanders arranger, is hard-pressed to bring up much of his childhood without including “big brother” Bertie Marshall. The emblematic tuner served as the force behind the revamped steel band that Kim Loy Wong started more than half a century ago and left dismantled when he immigrated to New York in 1958.
Slater is paying tribute to the demanding innovator and leader, who would have turned 77 today had he not fallen to a stroke last October in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
“Growing up meant Bertie was always around,” said Slater of his childhood neighbor and mentor.
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May Bertie Marshall ever be remembered!
Greetings! As we are about to make our New Year's resolutions,and as we take time to reflect on Brother Bertie, maybe we should ask Pan'Tum to include a discussion on the Retirement Fund at the conference scheduled to be held on 3/7/14. I know we could and should help Brother Mohammed and a host of brothers and sisters. We can talk as much as we want but we need to put our words into action. We only have $225 TT in the RF. This is a crying shame! We have over 12,000 members. Guidance and Blessings Dr. Lance Seunarine.