Remembering the late Dr. Clifford Alexis - arranger, tuner, panist and member of the 1964 ‘Trinidad & Tobago National Steelband’ on his birthday

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  When Steel Talks 

Remembering the late Dr. Clifford Alexis

January 15th

Global - In 1964 twenty-two members of the Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband toured the United States and created steelpan music history. Among the virtual who’s who of outstanding panists who were picked for the tour was noted NIU (Northern Illinois University) tuner, steelpan instrument builder and program director Clifford Alexis.

Trinidad and Tobago Steel Band returns from 1964 tour -
From (L to R) Back row - Lennox Glean (Wonderland), Kelvin Hart (City Syncopators), Herman Collins (Sun Valley), Osmond Charles (Savoys), Hugh Borde (Tripoli), Emmanuel “Jack” Riley (Invaders), Steve Regis (Sun Downers), Rudolph Johnson (Fascinators), Morrison Romeo (Starlift - Tobago)
Front row (R to L) - Elton John (City Symphony), Kenneth Bennett (San Juan All Stars), Clifford Alexis (Stereophonics), Vincent Hernandez (Satisfiers), Desmond Hernandez (Melodiscs), Randolph St Louis (Renegades)
Missing from picture: Junior Pouchet (Silver Stars), Errol Zephrine (Starlift), Lennox “Bobby” Mohammed (Cavaliers), David Williams, Winston Mc Clean (Metronomes), Glenford Sobers (Crosswinds), Norbert Augustine (Wonderland Symphony), David Samuel (Prodigals), Herbert Benjamin (Casbah - Tobago) and George “Sonny” Goddard, Leader and Manager of the National Steelband.
Information from Clifford Alexis and the publication ‘Forty Years in The Steelbands 1939-1979’ by George “Sonny” Goddard.
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“.... It was my first time traveling - this was my first time traveling on a plane... All MRA wanted to happen with the steelband was... we didn’t have enough money. “Get the band to Miami and we will do the rest.” - Clifford Alexis




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