Trinidad Guardian
Three stalwart cultural organisations got together on December 20 to host a 50th anniversary award ceremony celebrating the exploits of St James steelbands. The organisations—Afrikan Cultural Association, St James United International and Tripolians—rolled out the red carpet to St James Crossfire, winner of the 1963 Steelband Independence Festival; St James North Stars, winner of the 1964 National Panorama competition; and, St James West Side Symphony, winner of the 1964 National Steelbands Music Festival.
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Leslie! You qualified to speak on West pan, especially North Stars. For those who know not. Leslie Jordan, child tenor pan prodigy; original product of Belle Vue steelband "Cairo", which provided many of North Stars early players.
Leslie, we were kids growing up in the hood together; so I can vouch for your credibility. Preach.
It is good to speak up if the information given is incorrect. We need to know the history, Anyway congrats are in order to those receiving any pioneer awards for PAN.
Hamilton WEB Alexander
A former leader of Trinidad All Stars.
Now I really don't want to say much, but the information on St James North Stars is incorrect, North Stars won their first Island wide festival in 1955 playing "Skokian" and "Valerie", pan on wheels in 1956, the 1962 Music Festival with "Voices of Spring", the "Bomb compition at Green corner with "Valencia, and an hour later on Fredrick Street beating High Landers into second place, and "All Stars in 3rd place with "Caramelos", only to later win the "Best beating Steel band competion on "Marine Square", the first Steel Band Panorama in 1963, 1964, Second place in 1965 and the Music Festival in 1966. all the information is WRONG. Leslie Michael Jordan foundation member and protege of Anthony Williams, CEO of SNSE, St James North stars Steel orchestra Enterprise...
Leslie, I don't think the Newspapers were trying to show all the accomplishments of these Steelbands, it seem like they were just Recognizing these Three Steelbands from ST James, I am glad to see "Screech" still around and I wish him good Health and Strength to be around many more.
Mr. Jordon can you ask the Trinidad Guardian to correct it's mistakes. This will lead all sorts of historical confusion of the facts in the future. The Guardian has to be more responsible.
bugs
Praises due to all the Pioneer panmen of the West (there were many). But like Rudder say, "sometimes, to name a few could make the others seem small". However those three; absolutely deserving.
Congrats are in order to all those that received awards, big-up Arthur, Courtney and Herbert of West Side.