Obituary for panist Aliandre Maraj
Musician and entrepreneur Aliandre Maraj also known as "Ali" was a remarkable son, brother, cousin and friend.
Born on February 9, 1992 at Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY to
Aveian Brathwaite née Maraj. Aliandre was a very happy baby who smiled and
laughed all the time. At age two, he went to Trinidad to live with his
grandparents Noel and Mummy Jean and there he attended pre-school. At age
four, he returned home to Brooklyn to be with his mother. There he completed
his education from elementary to high school at: Flatbush SDA School, PS
315, Andries Hudde Junior High School and Science Skills Center High
School.
At age five, during a life-changing summer vacation in Trinidad, his
grandfather Noel taught him to play pan. In his teenage years, during one of
his regular summer trips, Noel gifted him a tenor pan which he loved and
cherished for the rest of his life. He grew to love and respect the art form
and played with pride.
Aliandre truly loved all things steel pan and was a pillar of support for
various steel bands in Brooklyn such as Crossfire, New York Pan Stars,
Harmony Music Makers, and Brooklyn Steel Orchestra. Most recently, he was a
member of Despers USA and served as their Vice Captain for the past five
years. In doing so, he taught young people to play Trinidad's national
instrument, touching countless young lives.
He played pan at the highest levels, traveling to Trinidad to compete in
Panorama. His first Panorama experience was in 2013 with Skiffle Steel
Orchestra under the direction of composer, arranger and family friend Ray
Holman. Ali was talented to the extent that he could play a song just by
hearing it. He was a fast learner and equally quick to share his
knowledge and skills. He made countless friends and was well-known and
beloved throughout the steel pan community in New York and around the
world.
Ali also loved dancing and during his years at Science Skills High School
he had the opportunity to lead a dance company of high school students.
Aliandre was very imaginative. He had a passion for drawing and attended art
school. He was also entrepreneurial a8nd started Mango Chow in 2016, his own
clothing line highlighting pan and combining his love for both steel pan and
mango chow. He was also very supportive of the artistic ventures of friends
and family.
In November 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Aliandre gave his life to
the Lord at the Flatbush Seventh Day Adventist church. He gave generously of
his time serving as a member of the audio-visual and communications
departments of the church. He often played upon request and was always happy
to play for The Lord.
He was kind and respectful, always giving of himself to others. He loved
his family and his selflessness was evident in his dedication to his great
aunt Franka Thomas (deceased). He was committed to being there for her in
her later years.
For the past two years Ali was happy to be back home with his mom, dad and
sister. Aliandre's effervescent personality, infectious smile, and witty
comebacks will be missed tremendously by all who knew and loved him. He had
a big heart and was friendly, kind, loving, and generous to every person he
came in contact with.
Aliandre passed away on August 3, 2022 at the age of 30 after suffering a
stroke on July 18, 2022. He is survived by his parents, Aveian and Keith,
his sister Kayla, brother Tyre (sister Shanae), grandmother Mummy Jean,
other family: Alister, siblings Sade and Zico, cousins Sean Sr, Joanne
(Leon), Rachelle, Kayla, Sean Jr, Keana, Danny, and Sian, the Chin Choy
family and a host of aunts, aunties, uncles, and friends.
- Panist Aliandre C. Maraj of Despers USA has passed
- Aliandre Maraj in Pictures
- 2018 New York Panorama Champion - Despers USA Steel Orchestra - “Year For Love” - video
- Despers USA Takes 2018 New York Panorama Championship After Twenty Years - with Champion Arranger Odie Franklin
- Despers USA Steel Orchestra - “Iron Love” - (‘Cool Down’ version - Video)
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