Death of Panman
by Dalton Narine
Henry “Bendix” Cumberbatch, who succumbed to heart failure Feb. 29, arranged for three steel bands in the 1980s. He reached his peak with an arrangement of Chalkdust’s “Ash Wednesday Jail,” which placed Casablanca second in the 1983 Panorama. Desperadoes won with Clive Bradley’s treatment of Blue Boy’s “Rebecca.”
Cumberbatch was born in Chaguanas and owned a bar there.
“It was his principal profession,” says Vernie Theroulde, a secretary of Flamingoes, the St. Augustine band that showcased Cumberbatch’s arranging skills. “But you wouldn’t know it in the panyard, where he excelled in phrasing and innovation.”
When Exodus emerged from Flamingoes in 1981, Cumberbatch was its first arranger, cobbling together the band’s first repertoire.
“At the same time he was also arranging for Casablanca,” says Exodus’ manager, Ainsworth Mohammed. “He was exceedingly affable, a competent and efficient musician. What stood out was his affinity for weaving a Latin flavour into his work.”
Replies
I have heard a lot about "Bendix" from the elders in South Trinidad Steelbands in which I have played with almost all of them during the 90's As far as Moruga, Trinidad. I wish I had the opportunity to play is music. Henry “Bendix” Cumberbatch Rest in Peace.
This is why we need to archive our pan history so my children could go to places like N.A.L.I.S Library or a Steelband Musuem to hear works and see panorama transcriptions from many arrangers as far back possible.
1992, I was playing poker together with bendix at his club in chaguanas, when I ask him why he stop arranging, he said that, " is only certain bands and arrangers that will win panorama". As far as his musical skills he said that he "knows a lot about chords but he never learned to read or write music". His favorite pan is the second pan.He will be missed by all steelband people especially the ones from the old school (like myself)
REST IN PEACE HENRY (BENDIX) CUMBERBATCH, you will always be missed.
Salah, personal stuff but did you play pan with Tripoli or Trinidad Playboys, back in the day???
When I "toured" the "scout" band "Gay" Flamingues (now many Exodios) in the 70' in Bim (Barbados), for the International/Caribbean Scout Jamboree, they rocked the house, especially Jesus, who caused major drama with the ladies....
Wow ...small world .Andre.....I remember that time and that Barbados trip ...lots of memories...'Jesus' was one of the Chaguanas men who had come up with Bendix ...yeah he had made the trip with us to BIM...small world man..
I saw 'Jesus' at Bendix 's funeral
There is so much that can be said about Bendix. I would like to re-state that he was truly one of the unsung heroes of Pan. Apart from his playing and arranging skills which could have matched up to any of the very best in T&T. He exerted leadership qualities and great communications skills. I recall when he first came to Flamingoes around 1970 . He did not only bring himself but practically all of Chaguanas including Pan Tuner Leo Coker ( R.I.P.). That same year 1970 Flamingoes took part in a music Festival of which Bobby Mohamed was an adjudicator. Flamingoes won all four categories. Bendix and his Chaguanas posse bought a new life into Flamingoes and propelled the Band to participate in the 1971 Panorama competition for the first time. He was always a serious musician and encouraged players to learn chords and skilled playing. His involvement with Flamingoes was well appreciated and a lot of his arrangements can be heard on some of the recorded music of Flamingoes which is still available. We will miss his pan abilities, but we will also miss his humour and wit and and a genuine friendship of a real Panman. Rest in Peace my brother Bendix.
Hi Foy,
Flamingoes has two CD's from the 'Gay' Flamingoes times and features some good works by Bendix ...Iam in a position to get them to you ..send me an email ' sal_wils@hotmail.com