Revisited - Clive Bradley: The man who helped shape the musical direction of Panorama

[Pan Times]

The Higher Level
by - Mrs. Merle Albino-de Coteau

Bradley was academically sound. So great was he that after being a student at the Gov't Training College and passing with distinction in his subjects he was recalled- this time as a lecturer in Mathematics. He also taught Math at the Catholic Women's Teachers College where I lectured in Music.

More about his academic prowess.
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"Memories" - Clive Bradley
by - Dr. Dawn K Batson

Florida - Since news of Clive Bradley’s death Sparrow’s calypso “Memories” has been looping continuously through my brain.In the pan world we often pay great homage to competition and competition winners sometimes neglecting and underrating truly beautiful music because it was not in the winner’s row. Bradley however, inside and outside of competition, was able to capture the beauty of the instruments of the steel orchestra and the essence of its players.

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Clive Bradley - The Man and his Music
by Robi Joseph

United Kingdom - The following is a lasting memory I have of the greatness of Clyde and his captivating music. This episode of my life is often relived when his music is played.

In 1998, Clive Bradley musically directed Nutones Steel Orchestra to capture the coveted title of National Panorama Champs with his captivating arrangement of David Rudder’s ‘High Mas’. In 1999, he returned ‘up de hill’ to his old haunt, Desperadoes. Initially there were mixed feelings of using Bradley’s musical talents instead of Robbie Greenidge’s but he soon changed that with his musicality. WITCO Desperadoes won the 1999 North Zonal Finals amassing a convincing 460 points with their nearest rival, Phase 11 Pan Groove, trailing by 17 points. Phase 11 continued to trail Despers in the National semi-finals but narrowed their lead to 15 points.

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The Spirit of Panorama and More
by Garvin Blake

I first met Clive Bradley in the summer of 1981, on Fulton Street in Brooklyn. It was one of the happiest days of my life. I will forever be grateful for the knowledge and wisdom he imparted on me. Anytime I spent with Bradley was precious. From his insightful comments on harmony to his bold statements on the human condition, I always left Bradley's company with ideas and concepts to ponder for days, years, maybe a lifetime. He had one of the best minds I ever encountered.

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Clive Bradley
by Knolly Moses

His preferred drink is rum and coke, though he sips a beer in the pan tent this particular night. Standing a slight five feet three inches in sandals, he peers through round, brown glasses. Cigarette smoke punctuates every word of his flat, nearly monotone voice. And while he engages in lively repartee with band members, he does not tolerate skylarking. "You are losing concentration," he warns an embarrassed double second pan player.

At various times, Bradley has been a shoemaker helper, a projects worker (before it found the fashionable DEWD acronym), an accounting clerk, an advertising copywriter and a radio show host. Teaching however, is what he did longest and the job that shaped his personality most. " My grandmother always believed teaching was the most respectable profession," he says.

Music was another story: no more than a scrunting sideline. But Bradley was a hot new musician with plenty of ideas. "Clive was always respected as a professional," says Janice Ford, a promotions officer at the Trinidad and Tobago Tourist Board in New York. As a singer with the then popular Esquires Now Combo in the early 1970's, she worked with Bradley when he was the band's arranger. "He was always clear about what he was doing," Ford remembers.

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[miguel reyes]

this was an article with clarity. i understood what the man Bradley was all about.
as i was reading i was seeing him in motion..doing his thing. his creative side was so far ahead
of all others..

[James Martinez]

Thank you for this story. It reveals much about the true genius and stature of this remarkably talented musician. Mr. Bradley's work has been incredibly breathtaking. He was without a doubt, the best arranger ever to grace the panorama stage. He has left an indelible mark on our collective consciousness and has now become the quintessential icon of panorama. He, like Rudolph Charles will never be forgotten.

[ed cee]

These remarks are so incredibly correct!. Having had the honour of sharing Bradley's company myself, I do humbly and sincerely attest to every tract written in Blake's statement. Bradley was, indeed, an extraordinary being who metamorphosed in/with the music as he saw it fit to, and deemed it necessary. Our cultural heritage has lost a major guiding light, and it is hoped that the younger arrangers continue to try to emulate his works. They had already begun to infuse the Bradleyian sound into their products even while he was alive. So, the Master lives.

[VINCENT HUELOY LILA YIP YOUNG]

WHEN WILL HIS MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS BE SCORED?

[Bugs]

Hueloy

This may be something the new administration of Pan Trinbago may look into.

bugs

[Bugs]

Bradley was the best ever! Panorama has been floundering since his death.

bugs

[merrytonestothebone]

I have been saying ever since Panorama 199 that "In My House" was bsolutely the best tune Bradley ever arranged....since "Pan in Harmony". Robie's little article here validates my sentiments.

[Reggie Greaves]

In My House was one of Professor Bradley's best. I agree, but most of us who actually played for him will say that Rebecca was the bomb.

[Ian Franklin]

I will say that many, if not all arrangers have helped shape the musical direction of Panorama. However, in my opinion, the man who did the majority of that changing is Jit Samaroo. Remember that he won (9 times), placed 2nd (3 times), and third (3 times). This all took place from 1980 through 1997. No other Panorama arranger dominated the decades of the '80's and '90's like Jit Samaroo. His accomplisments are already in the annals of Panorama. He is also the only arranger that ever qualified for the Panorama finals (29) consecutive times. In Panorama music Mr. Clive Bradley, maybe was the best. But I am being practical, in the Panorama finals Jit Samaroo is the best. Maybe in years to come there will be a study at UWI, about the works of Mr. Clive Bradley, Dr. Jit Samaroo, Mr. Leon Edwards, Mr. Len Sharpe,
and Mr. Pelham Goddard.
Love, Peace, and Pan.

[BEDE LOPEZ]

I quite agree with you about JIT, and i am not taking anything away from BRADLEY, he was very good but JIT music is better he proved himself by winning 9 panorama.
Another thing, i think, "when steel talk" is bias, as far they are concern there is only one arranger (bradley) and only one steel band (pantonics), have anyone noticed that?
BEDE LOPEZ

[Ian Franklin]

Thanks for the reply Mr.Lopez. I am sometimes critiized for going against the grain.

A Proud Laventillian,
Ian Franklin

[Bugs]

No, Mr. Lopez,

I don't agree with you at all. It sounds like you are suffering from a bad case of the "my band" syndrome. There were many years when Boogsie did not win a panorama. Does that make him or his music not great? Some of Bradley's best music did not win a panorama - just as Boogsie. And some of Jit's music in the last few years, was simply fantastic in my opinion - i dont know what the judges were listening to. And because they did not place renegades higher - does that diminish that great music, and Jit himself? What is your criteria for being great? Why don't you start a thread about the other arrangers that you find great and inform us about them? After all, this is an open forum.

And to their credit we all have the ability to post info just like When Steel Talks - and talk about arrangers we personally like, complete with pictures, and more.

You and others like you are being extremely disingenuous in bringing this up in a thread put up in Bradley's memory. He is dead, and his music lives on. Heaven FORBID - that either Jit or Boogsie passes away - people will be celebrating them - as well they should. And their music will live on

"Not taking anything away from Bradley" you say? Really - but that is exactly what you are trying to do. You are using the celebration of him - by COUNTERING here with Jit. Why are you countering here and at this time? One, two, three weeks ago - whenever - you could have spoken about, and lauded Boogsie or Jit or Smooth - or whoever, by saluting them, and starting an exchange going, with tributes, pictures of these people, and anything you wanted to put up - right here in this forum. Anybody can do this. I have been a member of the old when steel talks MSN message board forum that was up since when - 2003?? or somewhere around that time - where were you then? What were you doing? The message board was open, just like this forum is - all that time

Take a page from Jamma in based in London. He does not wait, and has never waited on anyone to "big him up" he makes SURE he used the old MSN message board to the hilt - promoting himself, and his son - and most importantly steelpan. So what is stopping you, and others? The point with Jamma and his son, is they access the forum, just like you do - and they use it - which is the right way to go. You can do the same for Jit, and anyone who wish.

In regards to when steel talks, their work speaks for itself. I don't always agree with their points, and everything they do, but without them I would not have been aware of and introduced to other arrangers and bands from Japan, Germany, Nigeria, denmark and Holland, for instance. Not to mention some of the lesser known arrangers in Trini and NY. Name one other place that took the time out to put up an Arrangers gallery like I see they put up on Facebook?