Washington, D.C. - Within a little more than a month the global Pan fraternity has lost another icon of the movement. First Ellie Manette, then now Ken ‘Professor’ Philmore. We are still in shock, a young man, in his prime and moving towards his zenith. I first met Ken, Professor about 30 years ago as he visited Washington DC to perform and he jokingly told me as I prepared to interview him, he was teaching his friend and relative Arthur Griffith the business about managing an artiste. He said “boy, Von, I encouraging the man to manage meh. He, fraid.” He was so full of life, simplicity, humorous and love for all especially his pan.
Ken “Professor” Philmore
Ken was one of a kind. I don’t think there will be another like him. The love he showered on this instrument was unique. I used to say he played his instrument with passion. I always tell folks there are three greatest pan men in the world today, Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe, Robert Greenidge and the third was Ken ‘Professor’ Philmore. Their touch of the pan was different. Whilst Robert played with a soft touch of finesse, Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe played with authority and Ken ‘Professor’ Philmore played with passion and authority. He knew what he was doing and displayed joy in doing it.
He wore the title of Ambassador exceedingly well; he performed globally with the best, from Mercer Ellington orchestra in the USA, to panorama in New York with Sonatas Steel band, with Pan Lara steel band in Washington DC then to return home to Trinidad to lead Fonclaire and Sound Specialists in Trinidad & Tobago Panorama.
Replies