by -- Huffington Post
Think of the greatest joy you’ve ever felt. Think of what it was like to be blanketed in sheer bliss. Think of home, in every sense of the word: how it feels, how it looks, how it treats you, and what it means to you. There is nothing in the world like your little slice of heaven, not even Heaven itself…
Now think of beautiful beaches, clear waters, and fresh coastal island breeze caressing your face; tropical heat so intense, you’ll feel like the equator is slipped securely under your belt loops. You stare out into the vast open waters and wonder what you did to earn this moment. You bite into your bake and shark, a Maracas Beach staple, and nothing else matters. You’re in one part of the world that flies under the radar as one of the greatest destinations, the islands of Trinidad & Tobago.
But of course, that is just my bias. And I won’t depend on my writing chops to lure you into booking your next flight to happiness (do it!). What I will say is that this island is a treasure, and of the many sights to take in, and flavors to savor, T&T is recognized globally for one of its biggest exports: pan. One of Trinidad’s prized possessions is the steelpan, or simply pan as we like to call it, it riles us up and calms us down. Its percussive versatility speaks to the rhythmic adaptability of its people. And because of this, we hold those who scale the very notes that take us home no matter where we are so highly. Artists. Creative exhibitionists. Pannists.
Enter Odie Franklin–a man who has developed a passion for the steel orchestra that has been burning bright for years. He stands on the shoulders of many who’ve come before him, including his own father, Clement Franklin, former captain of the North American-based steel orchestra, Despers USA. He also shows no sign of stopping any time soon. I’ve watched him over the years dedicate lots of time into his artistic craft. As cousins, we grew up close, and I can chart myself his personal growth in front of the steel drum as well as away from it. Our parents are from Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, a small island that has made its way beyond its own borders via our food and music. The diaspora stretches far, and our parents made their way to Brooklyn, NY to settle and start anew. However the islands never quite left us. As first generation kids born on US soil, we’ve been so enveloped in our heritage that it’s almost like we never left. Trinidad, and all its riches, is just that infectious.
I decided to pick the brain of this rising star, who is now the esteemed arranger for Despers USA, to highlight his achievements and showcase that no matter how far one can go, there’s no place like home:
read complete interview
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