Misinformation About Bertie Marshall and Highlanders

“Chinee music” was a derisive characterization some wiseacre came up with as a putdown

Global- One of the Trinidad and Tobago dailies a few days ago carried a report about pan visionary Bertie Marshall being hospitalized, supposedly because of issues arising from the diabetes problem he has battled for some years now. Given my own personal connection to Bertie and involvement with Highlanders back in the 1960s, I was of course instantly drawn to such news, and have since endeavored to get the assurance that Bertie’s condition was being given proper professional attention.

My gratitude for the newspaper thinking to run this report on Bertie’s health was however tempered a bit by something that was listed among his contributions to pan culture. Someone or something called Pan Buzz seemed to be the primary source for the report, and a reference to Bertie’s pioneering work in the amplification of pans distortedly noted that this was called “Chinee music.” It was clear that Pan Buzz, if that was indeed the source, was uninformed about this particular aspect of the Highlanders role in T & T pan history and was unfortunately misdirected to report as documented fact what was in truth typical Trinidadian mamaguy.

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Tripoli amplified Pan

Trinbagopan.com Staff Article
Interview Recorded: February 23, 2005
Posted: March 01, 2005

In 1957 "Tripoli" went to town with amplifying ah pan. Now, everybody saw the amplification of pan done by "Highlanders", but "Tripoli" was there before them in 1957. The fella who did that was a guy who was born in South Africa from Trinidad parentage. The last of the family, the lady lives up in de Freitas street, they call her Irene. She is the last of five and the last alive. The fella who did that was Herbert Simpson with a guy who was working in Batoo call Durant. "Tripoli" now, was de first band to play in a church service in 1952, when one of the members died. They played at the St. Agnes church in Clarence Street. Also, in 1952 "Tripoli" went to town with walkie-talkies. Simpson and them organized that, so that the captain could'-a talk to the members an' dem behind when they playing, an' they also had a jeep. They were a band where yah had to look at dem when it come to innovation. So, these things were there long before.

Replies

Tony Blackman August 15, 2012 at 9:53am

No one has mentioned the fact that amplification of the steelpan was also based on increasing the volume of the music, to allow the 2 to 3000 plus mas players to hear what the band was playing, back then, a steelband had less than 100 panists on the road, and. one had to get the timing from the chip chip sound coming from the feet of the players. Chinee Music was a negative response to change and innovation from static panmen
- Cecil hinkson > Tony Blackman August 15, 2012 at 11:11am
  
  This was the reason behind Tripoli amplification, to increase the volume of music of the whole band, Hilanders amplification I believe was of a pan.
VALENTINE YOUNG August 14, 2012 at 1:55pm

I Thank You for that information. We Learn from each other!
- Claude Gonzales > VALENTINE YOUNG August 14, 2012 at 3:23pm
  
  Cecil eh lying at all!!!
  
  From Norman Darway:
  
  Tripoli amplified Pan
  
  Trinbagopan.com Staff Article
  Interview Recorded: February 23, 2005
  Posted: March 01, 2005
  
  In 1957 "Tripoli" went to town with amplifying ah pan. Now, everybody saw the amplification of pan done by "Highlanders", but "Tripoli" was there before them in 1957. The fella who did that was a guy who was born in South Africa from Trinidad parentage. The last of the family, the lady lives up in de Freitas street, they call her Irene. She is the last of five and the last alive. The fella who did that was Herbert Simpson with a guy who was working in Batoo call Durant. "Tripoli" now, was de first band to play in a church service in 1952, when one of the members died. They played at the St. Agnes church in Clarence Street. Also, in 1952 "Tripoli" went to town with walkie-talkies. Simpson and them organized that, so that the captain could'-a talk to the members an' dem behind when they playing, an' they also had a jeep. They were a band where yah had to look at dem when it come to innovation. So, these things were there long before.
  - odw > Claude Gonzales August 15, 2012 at 12:03am
    
    So...did Tripoli pans sound like Chinee music?
    
    Hylanders - Every Valley Shall Be Exalted...http://youtu.be/Bj__bCphDXI
  - Cecil hinkson > Claude Gonzales August 14, 2012 at 3:52pm
    
    Thank you Claude, lets on forget Tripoli was also the first to make a Tank over a car.
VALENTINE YOUNG August 14, 2012 at 1:14pm

With all due respect My Brother Cecil Hinkson, if I had died in my sleep last night I would of gone to my Creator believing that Bertie Marshall and Hylanders were the first to amplify the Steel Pan. '''Each one teach one'''. Could you enlighten me more about Tripoli being the first Steelband to amplify the Pan. Thanks Bro. Peace & Love!
- Cecil hinkson > VALENTINE YOUNG August 14, 2012 at 1:52pm
  
  Casper Durant posted a pic of Tripoli on Western Main Road St James some time in the late 50s or early 60 showing their gizmo. What Tripoli tried to do was applify the whole band, Bertie came after and put a mic on a pan.
  - Anthony Weekes > Cecil hinkson August 14, 2012 at 6:00pm
    
    Well spoken Mr. Slater,so many people claim to know the history of our steelbands and their music when in truth and in fact all they want is to get their names in the media. I rely on you because you know your history.
VALENTINE YOUNG August 14, 2012 at 10:51am

Chinee Music was the sound that emanated from the Hylanders Stell Orch re- the introduction of the amplification of the melody pans. it was new, and in our ignorance started discribing it as Chinee Music. it was the God Father of the present sound that we hear today from most bands. Bertie Marshal and Hylanders were just way above their time.

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