Liam Teague: - Ken “Professor” Philmore Remembered

-

Ken “Professor” Philmore

 

I still vividly remember the first time I met Ken "Professor" Philmore as a student at Pleasantville Senior Comprehensive School in Trinidad. His charisma was immense, and, for me, it was like meeting a rock star-- I couldn't wait to get home to tell my parents about meeting this legendary figure. He was one of the initial steelpan soloists whose vocabulary I had the pleasure of absorbing, and the passion that he brought to the stage was incredibly infectious. "Professor's" sense of style and swag left a deep impression upon many a steelpan musician, especially the players who hailed from San Fernando (which is where I am originally from).

Though we lost touch over the years (I no longer live in Trinidad), my respect and admiration for Mr. Philmore never waned, and I was really happy to be able to be able to directly pay homage, a few years ago, to stalwarts like Ken “Professor” Philmore and Ray Holman at a ceremony hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Music Literacy Trust. The magnitude of Ken Philmore's influence cannot be understated, and I, along with many of my contemporaries, will make sure that his work is never forgotten. I offer my sincerest condolences and wishes of strength to his family, friends and his multitude of admirers.

Liam

Liam Teague Presidential Research,
Scholarship and Artistry Professor
Professor of Music
Head of Steelpan Studies
Director NIU Steelband
Northern Illinois University


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Girl Pat Steel Orchestra - Women's Month - Their Voice, Their Life, Their Dreams, Their Passion, Their Story

-
Image
Girl Pat Steel Orchestra “It was Ellie (Mannette) who supplied the band with instruments and taught them how to play pan properly. Girl Pat Steel Orchestra soon became a force to be reckoned with and the band was invited to play at several functions, culminating in invitations to Guyana and Jamaica, where Girl Pat was a resounding success.”  - Curtis Pierre See more Relevant content Hazel Henley Girl Pat Steel Orchestra Girl Pat ------ Beryl, Pat and Pat  -- “Voices of Pan Pioneers of Trinidad & Tobago”
Read more

When Steel Talks extends condolences to the family and friends of scholar, educator and panist Devon Cumberbatch

-
Image
Sincere condolences to the  Pan Lara, P an Evolution, Pan Masters and   Skiffle family, and the pan fraternity on the whole on the passing of  Devon Cumberbatch . Devon Cumberbatch “I would love for the instrument to be as mainstream as the piano, guitar or violin. It may have a ways to go, being a fairly young creation, but I believe pan can progress, develop and infiltrate music of all cultures. I would love to see it as an instrument for all peoples, and universally accepted. The history of the pan is just as important as the future where it can potentially end up and blossom.” -  Devon Cumberbatch    Related content:  Meet Devon Cumberbatch - Maryland ,   Details for Devon’s funeral:   Funeral Service is on February 8th at 12pm. Viewing starts at 11am. Capitol Memorial SDA Church 3150 Chesapeake St, NW Washington, DC 20008 Devon Cumberbatch SA
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to choreographer, dancer, and panist Oriana Estrada - Their Voice, Their Life, Their Dreams, Their Passion, Their Story

-
Image
 Oriana Estrada April 5th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist  Oriana Estrada  “What captivated me at first was the uniqueness of the instrument and the beautiful sounds it makes....” says founder of Seattle Women's Steel Pan Project, Oriana Estrada .” She is keenly focused on the arts - both as a pan player and dancer. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks - performing artist and band manager Ms. Estrada shares her thoughts, experiences, views and dreams on Pan, and the steelpan art form overall. See interview
Read more

When Steel Talks (WST) extends Happy Birthday greetings to veteran standout panist extraordinaire Caspar Durant

-
Image
 Caspar Durant Happy Birthday to Caspar Durant March 14th When Steel Talks extends Birthday Greetings to panist Caspar Durant “I grew up in Tripoli pan yard at the corner of Dengue and Finland Street in St James from the age of six months old in 1952, and lived there playing pan with them from 1959 till we went to Montreal Canada (Man and his world) in 1967. “I started playing Tenor pan on the road for carnival in 1959, though I was only seven years old and in those days it was pan round the neck, I was able to do so because my Dad Caspar Durant Senior would hold the pan for me and chip backwards all day while I played the pan with just the strap around my neck. “As mentioned above, I left Trin...
Read more

Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael) on the Origin of Steel Bands - and Remembering him on his Birthday - June 29th

-
Image
    Global  - Sometime in the late 1930s, the government in another of its persistent and futile attempts to suppress African cultural survivals, decided that the colony would more easily be governable if drums and other traditional musical instruments were outlawed. The colonials must have sensed, and correctly, the importance of music in the cultural independence and political resistance of the African masses. I would, of course, encounter this phenomenon again in the American South. But at least the George Wallaces and Ross Barnetts of that world never tried to outlaw our spirituals and freedom songs. Though I’m sure they must have often wished they could have. Kwame Ture on the Origin of Steel Bands So in Trinidad by legislative fiat an African could be jailed for possession of drums and other musical instruments? Not a gun, not a grenade, or some dynamite, but a drum? I have often tried, and failed, to visualize th...
Read more

Band From Space - sung by “Crazy”

-
Image
‘ Band From Space ’ sung by “Crazy” 2023: Tune of choice  |   LH Pan Groove  -  Trinidad & Tobago Panorama Tune of Choice 2013 |  Our Boys  |  Couva Joylanders  -  Trinidad & Tobago Tune of Choice 2007 |  Desperadoes |  Renegades  |  Pan Glow  |  Pamberi  |  San City Steel Symphony  | - Trinidad & Tobago Tune of Choice 2007 |  Pantonic |  Adlib  |  Sesame Flyers  |     D'Radoes  | - New York   Tune of Choice 2007 |  Pantasia |  Real Steel  |  Croydon |  Glissando  - United Kingdom lyrics and more ‘Band From Space’ Music by Amrit Samaroo Lyrics by Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung ‘ Band From Space, ’  Amrit Samaroo explains, is a true ‘pan song’ in every sense of the word. He wrote it for the New York stage side steelban...
Read more

Some accomplishments by the late great Anthony Williams as listed by former North Stars player David Maunday

-
Image
  Anthony Williams Some accomplishments by Anthony Williams as listed by former North Stars player  David Maunday Scientific Anthony Williams involved in putting pan on wheels in the late 1950s.   The placement of notes on the tenor pan in the 4th and 5th formation.   The grooving of notes on pans in a spider web pattern (more notes achieved).   Placement of notes on the six bass in fourths (a virtual lower extension of the tenor pan).   Placement of notes on their double second and 3 pan cello carries similar patterns making it easy for players to migrate from one section to the other.   Tony’s quality of tuning produced a very unique tone with his early use of harmonics.   Inventor of the 4 pan (a form of cello pan).   Anthony Williams made outsize pans (larger than the standard 55 gallon drums) using sheath metal which he tuned [into] some tenor pans, cellos and bass, some of which were used on the Ivory and Steel Recordings in 1969. ...
Read more