Len "Boogsie" Sharpe, left, on stage with Phase II Pan Groove at Pan Trinbago's Musical Showdown at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain, on February 26. Photo by Roger Jacob
At 50 years young, Hadco Phase II Pan Groove is celebrated as one of Trinidad and Tobago's most successful and internationally-recognised pan orchestras.
Its year-long, half-century milestone celebrations certainly could have come at a better time, though. If 2022 were like any other year, the band would have vied for an eighth Panorama title.
As it is, two years into the pandemic, Phase II, like most other local steelbands, continues to itch for a full complement of performers and the elusive Panorama, a staple of Carnival.
But its co-founder and leader, composer and pan maestro Len "Boogsie" Sharpe says this year presents a good opportunity for the band to look back and appreciate its successes and contributions to exposure of the pan as TT's finest creative product.
Sharpe spoke with Newsday days before Phase II performed at Pan Trinbago’s Musical Showdown in de Big Yard on February 26, a non-competitive medium and large bands event at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain.
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