Rudy 'Two Left' Smith
“In a career spanning six decades, alto steelpan player Rudy Smith has built a reputation exploring and bridging the world of Jazz with his native instrument, the steelpan; finding in each a sincere spirit of musical expression”
Born on 15 June 1943 in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Rudy “Two Left” Smith migrated to Denmark in 1968 and established an impregnable niche as the impresario who introduced Pan-Jazz to the Diaspora, while simultaneously honing his unique style by embracing the great Jazz luminaries - Milt Jackson, Bobby Hutcherson, Oscar Peterson and John Coltrane.
(See bio)
Rudy Smith Quartet performing at Moods im Schiffbau
Zürich, Switzerland.
21st November 2007
Rudy Smith - Steelpan
Chris Wiesendanger - Grand Piano
Jonas Tauber - Contrabass
Dieter Ulrich - Drums
Video by Peter Krüsi
Modern Sound Corporation Live 1978 - with Rudy Smith
Relevant content
Replies
Continued Blessings Rudy.
Didn't know we landed on earth on the same day of the year. Happy Birthday to a great pan pioneer and icon - Rudy Smith.
Happy birthday, Rudy. Best wishes for many more to come. The last time I saw you, you played at a concert with Andy Narell at Hart House in Toronto. Afterwards you joined us at Baby Thomasos’ house.
Lennox Borel
On Wednesday, June 15th 2022, When Steel Talks (WST) extended “Happy Birthday greetings to veteran panman, educator, scholar, arranger and performing artist Rudy 'Two Left' Smith”.
Birthday greetings on When Steel Talks often describe people using terms like:
“musician - panman - panist – ace panist – performer – performing artist –entertainer – arranger – champion steelband panorama arranger - educator – scholar” - etc.
With all due respect, and not myself having any great musical knowledge or formal musical training, I was wondering if When Steel Talks might be willing to give me some clarification as to how these terms are used and how they are meant to be understood.
If so, what is the difference?
If so, what is the difference?
Do these criteria include e.g. having formal musical training, having taught or done research on pan, having historical knowledge of the instrument and its development, having published academic articles relating to pan etc?
Do these criteria include e.g. formal training as a teacher, understanding of the theory and practice of education, pedagogical methods for instruction of different types students etc?
Thanking you in advance.
Have a pleasant day.
George Rampersad.
George Rampersad - Most of our descriptions are based on the personal interviews WST has conducted with the subjects when available. Or our personal knowledge and or interactions. Sometimes it is the request of the subject - for example journalist Dalton Narine and performing artist Rudy 'Two Left' Smith” - both requested that they be called "Panman". Panist was coined by award winning journalist Dalton Narine who has explained the English language rulles behind it many times in many forums. We have yet to see an English language specialist to have disagreed with his reasoning. The others are self-explanatory.
Happy birthday Rudy,
Still looking to do that project with Emanuel Riley.
call me up when you can, have a great day and stay safe.
Salah
Many people may not know this, but Rudy Smith is also a respected and highly-regarded pan tuner - known all over Europe, from Sweden in the north to Switzerland in the south. One ot the few people who are both top class players, top class arrangers, and top class pan tuners...a true pan virtuoso - if there ever was one.