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Melodians Steel Orchestra extends condolences on the death of tuner Leslie Bernard

Posted by Pan Times on June 3, 2014 at 7:39am

Melodians Steel Orchestra UK would like to extend condolences to the family and members of Melodians Steel Orchestra in Arima, on the death of Leslie Bernard on Saturday 31st May. Leslie was the tuner of both Melodians. He toured with the UK Melodians in 1990 on their first visit to Dagestan in Russia and their 1997 visit to Sri Lanka.

While in Russia, Leslie had to make two Bass pans on site as replacements.

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  • OSWALD GALLION June 4, 2014 at 9:05pm

    Deepest condolences to the family, friends and the members and supporters of his band, Melodians of Arima. May his soul find peace and sweet music!

  • mitch Warner June 4, 2014 at 11:39am
    On the recommendation of Robbie Thompson, I went to Bermuda with four members of Melodians. Leslie made the instruments. Sometime later I had Charlo "Rudolph Charles" come in and give us a blend. He loved what he heard, and specifically asked"boy who make this tenor". That was an endorsement ! We had the smallest band with the biggest sound with the sweetest instruments.... Leslie Bernard? A big fat YES!!!
    Bellamy st. will not be the same...The man was a silent giant.. Some of us felt that he should have been more aggressive, but that was NOT the man. I've lost another friend...The world has lost another gem....
  • Russell Providence June 3, 2014 at 11:33pm

    I wish to offer my condolences to the immediate family of Leslie, and to his extended family Melodians, to the community of Bellamy Street off Cocorite Road in Arima, and to the steelband fraternity at home and abroad on his passing. Leslie Bernard played a pivotal role in the development of The Cordettes Steel Orchestra of Sangre Grande as Tuner and Blender (both functions having different meanings in the manner in which I was taught). I remember the late great Lincoln "Delgado" Noel commenting that Leslie Bernard makes some of the best Double Second Pans he has ever had the privilege of putting a hammer on. The masters of the art form are being taken away from us, and I see or hear of absolutely nothing being done by the "So Called World Body For Pan" to harness and document their skill and achievements for posterity and for the benefit of future generations. May Leslie's soul rest in peace.

  • Debi June 3, 2014 at 5:44pm

    Leslie's passing is a loss to the international steel band community. My condolences to his family, friends and the members of Melodians Steel Orchestras (Trinidad and UK).

  • yvette johnson June 3, 2014 at 12:05pm

    Ancestors.   A library has burned.   Who is replacing Mr. Leslie Bernard?

  • Curtis Betaudier June 3, 2014 at 10:50am

    RIP Leslie and thanks for all the things you have done for me throughout the years, especially as the tuner for Arima Girls' RC School. On behalf of Arima Girls' and myself, we bid you....farewell...on your other journey.

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