R.I.P Mr. PAUL CAMPBELL

[Tamana Pioneers Steel Orchestra]

Maestro Paul "Pablo" Campbell pass away on Monday 21th May 2012. He arranged for Cordettes Steel Orchestra from the 60s to 90s, winning the music festival in 1967 un-sponsored category. In 1968 they placed 2nd and placed in the top 3 afterwards. He also arranged for Single Pan Bands like Nostalgic, North Eastern All Stars, Sipabatt to name a few. He tutored Tamana Pioneers from the 1982 until 2011 when he got ill. The first time the band placed in the Panorama competion, they placed 3rd in the Small Band Category and 2nd in the last Music Festival Ensemble Category. Today at 4:00pm Sponge from Cordette will be on 95.5 fm radio. Tonight from 8:00pm at Cordettes Pan Yard, they are having a musical concert, with bands like the resident band, Tamana Pioneers, Sipabatt to name a few. Tomorrow night at his home in Valencia, Tamana Pioneers will be performing. The funeral takes place on Monday 28th at the RC church Valencia at 1:00pm.

[linfield martin]

To the family of the great Paul Campbell...He came to Antigua in 1974, 75 and 76 to harmonites steel international where i was a player and i must let u know i'am now an arranger and won panorama in ST. martin and Antigua all because of the teachings he gave to me when he was in Antigua....he is also one of the main Arranger on Harmonites 1974 This Land Album. In 1974 i met this man when i was the age of 16 who came to arrange for Harmonies, he was a teacher who for what ever reasons answered all my questions on arranging. We would sit under the silcotton tree and he would write all of the arrange he would be giving the band that night, when the time for practice came i was so amaze at what i heard from his writing the questions started. I must say thanks for giving me the opportunity to know Campbell, my condolences goes out to his Family. PEACE BE WITH YOU ALWAYS.  GOD BLESS.

[jahlumba]

I would also like to express condolences to this great arrangers family and others for there loss.In 1976 I was introduced into the Harmonites Steel Orchestra in Antigua & Barbuda. I was seeded from the St Josephs Academy Rhythm Masters and inducted into the Guitar pan section ,myself and seven others.I was given the name which I use here in my post, by Joseph Roseman . It was a baptism of "fire" to put it lightly. Just imagine it,. me a little teenage youth from the United Kingdom getting to grips with the two panorama pieces "Horrors on Pan" by Zero and "Tourist Leggo" by King or Lord Short Shirt .I actually made the panorama side and competed on stage.

This diminutive quite small person and these two scintilating complex and highly unorthodox arrangements by Paul Campbell were authorative masterpieces and enthralled many .The outcome of the panorama was extremely controversial to say the least and was the last great panorama of the 1970's ..It was a milestone and a defining moment in my life as a panist but also as a musician. It was people like him along side others that introduced me into the "big league" in the genre of pan music and the use of a high advanced musical arranger preparing for a ,if not the major pan event of the nation, the national panorama. What a contribution. Recent research showed me how well respected this man was and still is and how much of a part he played in developing music for pan in Trinidad and Tobago. My experience in Antigua and Barbuda gave me the privilege of experiencing some of that greatness. Thank you for your contribution Mr Paul Campbell. May peace be upon you.

[Ronald Benjamin]

I would like to convey condolence  to Paul Cambell's family.He worked in Antigual and Barbuda in 1974 and 1975 and he was a powerful musical inspiration to us. Joseph Roseman, a great pan tuner from Trinidad and Tobago introduced Paul Cambell to us in Antigua and Barbuda.  In 1974  Paul Cambell arrange for Harmonites International and his arrangement won the panarama championship.

[Ian Franklin]

Condolences to the Campbell family. Let it be known that Mr. Paul Campbell was instrumental in Desperadoes' test piece in 1986. He started Mr. Winston Devines' "Fire and Steel", and Dr. Pat Bishop flared it. Also to the old members of Cordettes, I have a 1969 dvd of you all performing classics.  

[Curtis Betaudier]

Another one of our great musical minds, has gone and left us. Unfortunately, nothing was put in place to tap into this vault, so that this wealth of knowledge could be passed on. A selt-taught musican. Goodbye Pablo.