To My Steelband Family:
Since 1960 this man has been tuning pans for the City Symphony Orchestra on St. Paul’s Street (behind the bridge) in Port of Spain. When Carnival finished that year, we were each paid $300TT for an entire season of tuning. During the work session, he liked the sound of my work and invited me to his home in Diego Martin to conduct experiments in tuning.
Afterwards we went our separate ways but kept in touch. He went on tuning for Desparadoes, Tokyo, Flamingoes and many other bands.
He fell ill and sought medical attention in the States. I joined up with him in New York City and helped him tune up a band.
This man is a tradition bearer. He is one of the founders and builders of the steel orchestra movement here in Trinidad and Tobago. He has helped ion bringing the steel pan movement to the stage where it is today. He has brought it to the world where he is well- known as he has spent his life tuning pans in a number of places, the last being the Exodus band.
He is best remembered for his “Wally-tone” on the double tenor pan.
He has dedicated his life to this invention and has done his part to make steel pan a particular industry in this country. We should be proud of his accomplishments as they are ours as well.
We, the steel orchestra family, are slowly losing him. He is now bedridden. He is in need of home care. Please band together to petition the Ministry of Culture, Pan Trinbago, and the Health and Social Security Divisions of the Government to provide such funds for home care for this icon.
He is presently living in his family home on Poui Street in Movant.
He is none other than WALLACE ”Madman” AUSTIN
868-460-8475
Please open your hearts for this steel orchestra icon. HE NEEDS OUR HELP!
Thank you,
Hillary “Baga” Rezende
Sour Sop Pan Lab, Inc.
