This morning I awoke to the sad news of the passing of one of Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural icons, Dr. Jit Samaroo, who came from very humble beginnings to not only create history in the Panorama arena with 9 winning arrangements, but has also composed test pieces now performed in Trinidad, Mexico and the USA.
Jit Samaroo
In 2003, Jit who supported music literacy and education, was approached to have 6 of his test pieces for National Pan Chutney and Steelband Festivals by the then Hydro Agri Trinidad (now Yara Trinidad). He had already scored the music, which had been left in a drawer, with Jit feeling at the time, that no one would ever be interested in the music. He immediately welcomed the project which was focused on preserving his music for education, with proof editing done by the University of the West Indies (via Sat Sharma). The product containing recordings by Samaroo Jets and scores to be utilised by educational institutions, and was called “Original Notes”, with the double CD was formally handed over to him in October 2003. It was at the launch, when it was announced that the Music Literacy Trust would be formed and some proceeds from the product, would go back to supporting the Trust, a not-for-profit organisation assisting with scholarships in music education (to which Jit did in fact contribute). Jit also started off being a Director of the Trust.
- See more at: http://www.panonthenet.com/news/2016/jan/a-tribute-to-dr-jit-samaroo.htm#sthash.Azwk71Yg.dpuf
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