If anyone did the math, they would realize that the first time I played pan, I was in my early twenties. Although my dad was involved in the steelband movement, for some reason, he did not really encourage either of his sons to join a steelband, probably, knowing the "influences" and "dangers" that were around the panyards. He also was very adamant when it came to our education, and in hind sight, I appreciate his protective lack of encouragement.
The first year I decided to play pan, I walked into Diego Martin Merrtones panyard, and approached Mr Kendall Wilkes. Seeing that this was my first time, and this was three weeks before Panorama, Kendall assigned one of his top tenor pan players, Muncha, to work with me. Muncha, who is of African and East Indian descent - Dougla - worked with me day and night; in the daytime we would go home be me in the Vale, and in the evenings, we would head up to the panyard.
As we drilled the Panorama tune, I couldn't help noticing this East Indian tenor pan player. I mean this guy was INCREDIBLE! I wanted to be able to play like that. After watch him play, I would leave the panyard feeling really dejected; doubting if I would ever be able to play pan, much less make it on the Panorama side. Muncha, would continue to encourage and support me, and we continued to drill and drill and drill... In time, I came to know the guy I had been looking at; his name was Freddie, and he was a very quiet, humble, welcoming person. We soon became friends, and he joined in, in drilling and encouraging me. Around that time, we would sometimes go down on "de block" in Diamond Vale (under de shed), where we would meet up with Bellies, Wayne Hackett (who is Chinese-Trinidadian), and Edme "Garzo" Gibbons, who were Phase II front line men, and they would also encourage me, and give me drills; sometimes, even take parts of Merrytones song. needless to say, I made the list, and by the next year, I was promoted to play "upstairs" on the rack.
I share this story, because it is important to me, that my recent discussions on race, are not confused with a lack of honor or respect for the contributions made by those of East Indian descent. Of course, Dr. Jit Samaroo, readily comes to mind, but there are numerous others who have not only accepted and honored the steelband, but have made significant contributions in the development of both instrument and movement. Had it not been for Muncha and Freddie (both of whom would eventually become Phase II members), I would have never made the 1983 Panorama side, and would have certainly been discouraged to ever play a pan again. The steel drum or pan, is truly universal, and it is partly because of the efforts of those in the East Indian community who embraced this new "culture" (as their own), that certain positive strides have been made. We should NEVER discredit those efforts, because, after all, they are the ones who, by action, not rhetoric, show and continue to show their loyalty and dedication to the "steelband movement", regardless of its history. When it comes to pan, we are truly "one family". And a diverse, motley crew, at that.
Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks. Honoring the Legacy of George "Sonny" Goddard
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Phantom the Ghost Who Talks, well explained,,,now for comparison,,i ,ve taught Teachers of High Level Technical School Academic background in Suriname,,Indian and Negro Students now living in Euorope,Canada,the USA God knows where else on this Blessed Universe of God the Almighty and i had done the same with joy and cleanliness of the heart,, not leaving out Guyana,Indians,,Amerindians,,,Dougla,,,,Negroes,,Portuguese,,,Chinese and it,s posible that they are reading these comments of mine as i do state it here,,the beauty of it all is that everything was done with a clean Heart,,,,Just Enjoying the Blesssed Instrument,,PAN,,for one to voice their opinion, especially the truth ,,is of value,,,what,s strange is that there are a very few that can say it as it is with no remorse,,for you are clean in heart,,THE TRUTH,,,no racism,,no discrimination,,,i,ve my Indian friends to this day after years that i can go to their home and sit and eat meh roti and dall with ,,bunjal katahar,,aloo rotie,,shut or oil roti an ah hope dat everyone reading ,,so as to asess my quality of HEART, etc with no fear,, we must all leave this world SOMEDAY,the end result is that the truth must be TOLD ,Respect for all,,, God Bless.
Shades in steel from South Trinidad as well.Thank You.