Tribute to Uric ‘Ragga dat’ Reid
February 23, 1931-November 4, 2024
Uric Reid aka Ragga dat travelled from sixth street Barataria with his friend Joe Roseman to rehearse with City Syncopators. Joe recalled playing second pan on Carnival days with Ragga and Kelvin Hart. That introduction to Steelband initiated by his childhood friend who he called ‘Batman’ led Joe to form his own band ‘Black Swan’ in Barataria. Ragga had already experienced Steelpan activity in Casablanca and was a member of the group who left Casablanca to form City Syncopators.
I became aware of Ragga and the Syncopators members as a young boy sent on a mission to deliver messages for my grandmother and mother. The location for my deliveries was the Maynard’s household on Prescott Alley. I also had to escort my grandmother to the home of a friend, Mrs. Bharat on Quarry Street and The Maynards for her weekly gossip sessions. It must be noted that famous corner enclosed Mother Trotman’s African Orisha (Shango) house of worship.
In those early years, my passage at the corner was swift and direct. I skipped pass the liming group at the corner of Belgrade and Quarry streets only receiving tidbits of their conversation and the laughter that coloured every story. I learned the faces of the regulars in the lime but no names. This was not a situation for formal introduction. This was big people business. As a teenager and now a member of Casablanca I continued to walk that path continuing the family tradition but also adding my own developing friendship with ‘Preco’ Marshall and Carly Hunte who lived on Prescott alley. I also began to recognise by name ‘Ziggily’ Constantine, Kelvin, and Kenny ‘Sammy’ Hart, ‘Boots’ Davidson, ‘Gaga’ James, Knolly Williams and Uric ‘Ragga dat’ Reid. This group included foundation members and supporters of the group who left Casablanca to form City Syncopators. That Quarry Street Steelpan tradition continues today with Harlem Syncopators led by Daisy James.
My bond with Ragga developed in the 1980s when we started meeting in the eastern section of the old grandstand at panorama. I learnt of the continued friendships between the members of Casablanca and City Syncopators although Syncopators grew to overshadow the mother band on carnival day with dazzling presentations of head mas sailors, Clock, Cash Register, Camera and Elephant. Ragga and I continued our bonding in the western section of the newly renovated grandstand in the company of Natasha (daughter), Edwin Cayenne, ‘Cardaba’ Clarke(deceased), ‘Micey’ Clarke (deceased), ‘Haunted’ Smart, Clyde Durrant, and other family members. We also had carnival reunions at Albert Chandler’s (deceased) restaurant at Oxford and Observatory Streets, Renegades pan yard around the pioneer’s bar managed by Leonard ‘boldface’ Patrick.
I will remember his composure and quiet strength amid all the heated debates and competing voices for the bands on stage. Once he was able to travel, he would not miss Panorama. He was a pioneer and contributor to the creation of the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. The early players like Uric ‘Ragga’ Reid who travelled across the country sharing the gift of the Steelpan leave lasting memories for future generations.
‘Everybody hurts sometimes
Everybody hurts someday,
But everything gon' be alright
Go and raise a glass and say, Ragga’
Selwyn Henry, December 2024.
Replies