EMMANUEL ‘EMAN’ THORPE
The Executive and Members of the British Association of Steelbands extend their sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Emmanuel ‘Eman’ Thorpe who sadly passed on Wednesday 16 May 2012.
The Executive and Members of the British Association of Steelbands extend their sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Emmanuel ‘Eman’ Thorpe who sadly passed on Wednesday 16 May 2012.
His funeral will be held at Mortlake Crematorium, Kew Meadow Path, Richmond, TW9 3EN on Thursday 31 May 2012 at 4.00pm.
This will be followed by a reception at Sulzer House, Catherine Wheel Road, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 8BD (map and directions). An original member of Crossfire Steel Orchestra, St James, Trinidad, Eman was a pioneer of the UK’s steel band movement. "He was a founding member along with Sterling Bethancourt & Gerald Forsythe of the early steelband movement in Western Port of Spain" ......Leslie Palmer .
Click here for map and directions.
Replies
I spent alot of years with eman. I will write a book about eman, Gerald forsyth.takecare Ppl
Condolence to the Thorpe family. May his soul R.I.P.
One of the unheralded greats has left us. He had shown great interest into the development of his prodigy ''Len Boogsie Sharpe, and had also contributed a lot of time and efforts into the Steelband Movement. My condolenses to his family and friends on their lost. His time has come for him to return hom,e and we all wish him a fond farewell. Thank You Mr. Emmanuel ''Eman' Thorpe.
It is with sadness I extend condolences to the British Pan family and that of the Thorpe family. I first met Eman in 1982 when I visited London whilst on a research project called the Evolution of Pan which resulted in a radio documentary chronicling the journey of the instrument. I subsequently completed a book entitled "{Voices of Pan Pioneers of Trinidad & Tobago" which transcribes the journey of these Pioneers as they describe what they did in the creating of this wondrous instrument. Eman no doubt was one of these great pioneers. A chapter in the book chronicles "A Visit to London" which features the words of Gerald Forsythe, Sterling Betancourt and Eman Thorpe. here is a brief excerpt of Eman's words,
Emman agreed and said this is what has annoyed him; we cannot pattern ourselves on the classical. It is not the same; it loses the main ingredient. He said, “Our music is rhythm and a feel, and anytime you get too sophisticated with the classical passages, you take away the drive of our music, a primitive, juju, drive. I will never change that style of playing; my playing is very percussive.”
Emman said the pan movement needs proper direction. “Forsythe and I agree.” He elaborated, “When a piece of classical music is played, it is not that it sounds nicer on conventional instruments, violins and so on, it sounds nicer than the calypso. Why? They are disciplined; all the instruments are not played at the same time. There is individualism, according to how the music is written, but in the steel band it differs. I try to do an arrangement and I say I want you to play, ‘Bam ---- pam, pam. If I give people to play that, they would tell me they want some work to do. Everybody wants to be busy at the same time.
Listening to Emman, I understood clearly what he was describing. The sound of the musical expression was full and rowdy. It needed to be soothed in order to draw the beauty of the piece out for the listener."
The book hopefully will be puiblished by year end and I look forward to visiting London for a launch there.
I will remember him.I will indeed pay tribute to him on my broadcast on WPFW fm radio on Saturday night.
Von Martin
sincerest condolences.
Some research should bge done on him as he was an early pioneer, who made a huge contribution to pan. I grew up in town and did not learn about him until I moved to St. James.
Condolences to the Thorpe family.
I think Eman was captian of CrossFire back in the day. Condolences to his family.
Mr Thorpe was a ping pong soloist in the 50's a pioneer in his time, may he rest in peace, AMEN
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