Real News Antigua
Victor “Babu” SamuelAntigua & Barbuda, W.I. - The establishment of a pan academy in the name of the late Victor “Babu” Samuel was recommended to the Government by Dr. Baldwin Spencer, today, August 8, as he eulogized his late friend and the renowned pan player during an official funeral service at the Antigua Recreation Ground.
Samuel was considered one of Antigua and Barbuda’s top arrangers and panists, having led the Halcyon Steel Orchestra to eight of their 14 Panorama championships and winning the title for four consecutive years.
Additionally, as arranger, Babu laid claim to three of the band’s five Moods of Pan titles.
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Rest in peace Babu ... out of the blue I recently asked a friend about him and was told he very recently passed.... what a multitalented and gifted pan player... I was fortunate to play side by side with him for a time in Moods Pan Groove NY and when he took over the drums in the last days before NY panorama 98 Silhouettes legendary Boogsie rendition of High Mas. Again my brother, be at Peace.
In a solemn and dignified manner, Monday, August 8, 2022, the state of Antigua and Barbuda laid Mr. Victor ‘Babu’ Samuel to rest. He was a student of Dr. Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe of Trinidad and Tobago. Victor ‘Babu’ Samuel proved to be Antigua and Barbuda’s greatest panorama arranger. His band, the Halcyon Steel Orchestra, won 14 panorama championships. Victor Babu Samuel was the arranger for eight of those panorama championships. Also, he won four of those championships consecutively. The Antigua and Barbuda panorama started in 1949. Victor Babu Samuel was the most prolific panorama champion arranger in the history of Antigua and Barbuda panorama.
Babu's death also affects phase 2 in T&T.He plyd with phase & even drilled d band a few times 4 panorama.