Legends -- Lennard “Scrubb” Wellington - St. Lucia's North Stars - Forum

St. Lucia - Somewhere in the 1940’s a young man named Lennard “Scrubb” Wellington, started on his way to become St. Lucia’s steelband maestro. He had experimented with music from the age of seven and his real interest in pan started after World War 2 when a number of expatriate soldiers, their families and some locals were celebrating the end of the war.

The history of Steel pan in St. Lucia dates much farther back than St. Lucia’s independence, even farther than many today can recall vividly enough to attribute its introduction to any one individual. However various names are almost always spoken with respect to this. Lennard “Scrub” Wellington, Augustus “Pan” Andrew are two very instrumental names in the history pan music in St. Lucia soon to be followed by Roderick Walcott, Antonius “Sycra” Gibson, the Emmanuel brothers, Ivan Smith and more recently with individuals such as Allison Marquis. The influence and substantive importance of this art form to St. Lucia is vastly understated by the silence of blank sheets of history or small scribbles here and there in photo albums arid notebooks of the valiant patriots of the Steel pan.

click to hear audio and see more info

My problem with with us 'Cari-Africans' ( my term for African people born and living in the Caribbean including myself!) is that we are always full of suggetions and NO action! The fact that Steeband from St. Lucia has a 'good sound' and indeed brought something new to steelpan (dating back before St. Lucia's independecne as I was reading earlier) in the region is not, I have to say, a reason to have a regional Panorama? My knowledge on the history of pan in the Caribbean or anywhere else is growing. One thing is certain is that can Steelpan really 'move on' if the PAN MAN is disrespected? Come on now? Charity begins at home and ends abroad!

Oh and to the man who made the suggestion of a regional Panorama may I suggest that you contact a few people in your culture department or form a group, and make some enquiries to get something started if this is really your passion. You don't have to be wealthy to make a phone call or write a letter if this is something that you feel passionate about or do you?

Replies

Yvonne October 15, 2010 at 7:42pm

I'm proud to say that am a steel pan baby, father by the great Ivan "Syfa"Smith best father in the world and Owner and founder of North Stars and am happy that we have supporters out there.Well for sure TnT panorama would see my father and his first grand child my daughter to support our Trini bands. Thank you to "When Steel Talks" for recognizing all the great pan men in St.Lucia and caribbean.
Mighty Bijou October 15, 2009 at 1:46am

St. Lucia North Stars............... nice one!! Great sound, tight, melodic, well presented and you look like yu were having a good time too etc. Where can I get a CD??!!!
Mighty Bijou October 15, 2009 at 1:43am

My problem with with us 'Cari-Africans' ( my term for African people born and living in the Caribbean including myself!) is that we are always full of suggetions and NO action! The fact that Steeband from St. Lucia has a 'good sound' and indeed brought something new to steelpan (dating back before St. Lucia's independecne as I was reading earlier) in the region is not, I have to say, a reason to have a regional Panorama? My knowledge on the history of pan in the Caribbean or anywhere else is growing. One thing is certain is that can Steelpan really 'move on' if the PAN MAN is disrespected? Come on now? Charity begins at home and ends abroad!

Oh and to the man who made the suggestion of a regional Panorama may I suggest that you contact a few people in your culture department or form a group, and make some enquiries to get something started if this is really your passion. You don't have to be wealthy to make a phone call or write a letter if this is something that you feel passionate about or do you?
momo October 13, 2009 at 8:11am

as a pan player from trinidad . it good to no the gap has been closed betwwen trinbago
steel band and the outside world as far as playing arranging and the the steel band
i will also like to see a caribbean panorama or better yet WORLD STEEL BAND PANORAMA
Pan Woman October 12, 2009 at 12:02pm

Two thumbs up!! Wicked!! St. Lucia pan is no joke!
david de castro October 10, 2009 at 7:23pm

I AM FROM TRINIDAD.GROW UP WITH THE PAN.LOVE THE PAN.PLAY MAS EVERY YEAR I AM A CALYPSONION.AND MUSICIAN AND PERFORMED FOR MANY YEARS.
VERY VERY IMPRESSED WITH ST.LICIA NORTH STARS STEELBAND.THE VERY BEST I HAVE HEARED OUTSIDE OF TRINIDAD.KEEP IT UP GREAT JUST GREAT.PASSED IT ON TO ALL MY FRIENDS."BANDIT"
- momo > david de castro October 13, 2009 at 8:22am
  
  dont mean to sound rude but you said that outside of trinbago that north stars are the very best you heard
  out side of trinidad but there are people who would disagree with you north stars was indeed very good but to go that far as to say what you said was a injustice to the other bands like new york pantonic pan sanotas canada arfo pan and all the others great bands out side of trinbago
  but then again every body has the rights to his or her opinion
  n
Bugs October 9, 2009 at 9:48pm

Great performance!

bugs
- VALENTINE YOUNG > Bugs October 10, 2009 at 12:52pm
  
  I dont understand what Mr. Greene is saying. Could he elaborate, his response is a little muffled.
Doris G. October 9, 2009 at 3:58pm

Very interesting, good to know and read of such history specialy for an pan music lover like me who hopes to learn to play one day soon.....gotta know all of if not most of the history right........

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