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

-

  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.
.
“.... 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




Clifford Alexis
Clifford Alexis

See more

Relevant content

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A look at the new panyard under construction for Desperadoes Steel Orchestra by Sharmain Baboolal

-
Image
Here is an exclusive look at the TT$14 million panyard for the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra which has been homeless for several years, but which was gifted this piece of real estate at 25 Nelson Street in Port of Spain. When completed it will be the first steelband facility of its kind, anywhere in the world, occupying one and a half acres of land. Take a tour with me below: Under construction new Desperadoes Panyard
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to scholar, educator, exceptional musician, music director and champion Panorama arranger James Clarkson

-
Image
James Clarkson   April 21st When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist James Clarkson James Clarkson was born in Grenada on 21 April 1943 and has had a distinguished lifelong career in music with early exposure at the age of 12. He later joined the band of the Royal Grenada Police Force, appeared on stage with his father’s band, and by 17 was a member of the band of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force as lead arranger and first trumpet player. By 23 years of age, he was the Director of Music of the band of the Royal Grenada Police Force, and soon became the arranger for the very successful Republic Bank Angel Harps Steel Orchestra , a post he still holds today. The Officers and Ranks of the Royal, Grenada Police Force (R.G.P.F.) take this opportunity to thank Commissioner James Clarkson OBE, QPM, Lmus, F. Sci, for his invaluable contribution to to the R.G.P.F and to wish him a healthy and productive retirement. James Clarkson with daughter Ayana  Panorama Championships Gr
Read more

Total Antigua & Barbuda Panorama Champions

-
Image
  Antigua & Barbuda Panorama Champions Hells Gate (champions 1949, 1953, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1964, 1967, 1976, 1990, 1991,  2002, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 ) Halcyon (champions 1975, 1978, 1979, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995,  2008, 2010, 2011, 2016 ) Harmonites (champions 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1985,  2001, 2004 ) Gemonites (champions 1981,  2003, 2005 ) Ebonites (champions 1977,  2014 ) Panache (champions  2018 ) Steelband Panorama Champions of Antigua and Barbuda
Read more

Remembering Some of Those In Pan We’ve Lost in 2021 - the iconic panist Ursula Tudor of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra

-
Image
     Ursula Tudor The outstanding panist and icon Ursula Tudor of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra. (May 25,  1946 - July 21, 2021) .   In 2020, Ursula celebrated 50 years of membership with Desperadoes Steel Orchestra , joining the band shortly after Panorama in 1970. She is well-known in all steelpan circles as being the longest standing female player in history. In her 50 years, she has performed in all but one Panorama (2018-owing to a vehicular accident).  see more Desperadoes Steel Orchestra with Ursula Tudor Relevant content Ursula Tudor... Desperadoes Steel Orchestra’s First Lady of Pan  Benefit Concert for Ursula Tudor of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra Some of Those In Pan We’ve Lost in 2021
Read more

Sonatas Steel Orchestra - “The Ten Commandments of Pan” - (‘Cool-Down’ version - Video)

-
Image
  When Steel Talks - Feel the Music - Live the Experience Sonatas Steel Orchestra - “The Ten Commandments of Pan” - (‘Cool-Down’ version - Video) Panyard Recording Brooklyn, New York, USA -   Three days before 100 Sonatas players take the stage for the 2008 New York Steelband Panorama competition, Basement Recordings captures Sonatas Steel Orchestra, the defending champions, in their panyard. "The Ten Commandments of Pan" - a Yohan Popwell arrangement See tempo version video
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to pan-mom, administrator, freelance writer, poet and co-founder of J’Ouvert City International - Hazel John

-
Image
   Hazel John with ace panist daughter Orisha John May 12th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to Hazel John "My love for our culture has never left me especially since I have spent many years projecting our culture through calypso tents as Co-Founder of the West Indian-American Calypso Association and working with steel band groups as Co-Founder of J'Ouvert City International, Inc.' -  Hazel John Related content: Something for the Mighty Shadow  by Hazel John New York Brooklyn J'Ouvert 2018
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to panist Andrea Edwards

-
Image
  Happy Birthday to Andrea Edwards February 28th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Andrea Edwards “The music and the instrument itself, to me it's just different. Its versatility, its dynamics its effects - everything about it. It gives me a different feeling when I listen to it as opposed to listening to the radio. It takes my mind so many places musically.” -- Andrea Edwards She is a scholar and a veteran panist in spite of her young age. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - Andrea Edwards shares her reflections, experiences and views on Pan, and the steelpan art form overall. Andrea Edwards Related content Meet Andrea Edwards - Brooklyn, New York
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to Desperadoes Elder, Panist, Mas Designer & Percussionist Matthew Cox

-
Image
Matthew Cox   October 14th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Matthew Cox  In an exclusive interview with  When Steel Talks , Desperadoes Steel Orchestra elder statesman, Matthew Cox, speaks on this legendary and world-renowned music organization and from Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago. In addition, Cox gives insight into the deep impact of the Desperadoes franchise on New York Pan and the world. Now, his mission is to bring Mas back, and as a result, the Carnival presentation component of the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra music organization, through Mas ‘on the road.’ See profile
Read more

Doctor Kelman - by Gregory “GB” Ballantyne

-
Image
‘Doctor Kelman’ sung by Gregory Ballantyne composed by Gregory Ballantyne 2023: Tune of choice  |  Southern Marines Steel Orchestra  -  Trinidad & Tobago Panorama Written, composed and performed by - Gregory Ballantyne (GB) Background Vocals – Natalie Yorke Guitar – Lennox Saunders Bass Guitar – Daymon Alexander Live Drums – Malaki Negus Joseph Percussion – Nwaoha Men Kau Ra Brass – Michael Lindsay (Trumpet); David Jacob (Trombone) Keys – Kenneth Baptiste Panist – Natasha Joseph (Double Second Pans) Pan Tuning Intro – Malomo Nkosi Joseph Produced by – Southern Marines Steelband Foundation (SMSF) Recorded @ Ekweoha Entertainment Studios Mixed and Mastered by – Ebony Sound Factory One phone call from Bernard “Beavers” Edwards to prolific composer Gregory Ballantyne resulted in this pan-infused classical composition.  GB jumped at the request from the Southern Marines Steelband Foundation, to pen a tribute to his long
Read more