When Steel Talks extends condolences to the family and friends of veteran panist and arranger Winston Gordon on his passing

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Winston Gordon with Redemption Sound Setters

 Mr. Gordon passed May 15, 2023


According to Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra post


Winston Gordon was one of the long line of All Stars' bass musicians that were in a class by themselves. A dynamic musician, he was known for adding his own notes to Jules’ bass lines. In the mid 60’s he and a fellow bass player, Rupert Alexander, would compete against each other and later see which of the two got more money placed on their bass by overjoyed well-wishers and pan-pushers.
 
 
Gordon was earmarked by Jules as his protégé, and Jules began to allow him to arrange. While not musically schooled, Winston learned from Neville Jules while the band was still at the Garret. In 1966, Gordon arranged “Stella by Starlight”: he recalled that ‘Stella by Starlight' was his personal choice for a Bomb tune, and it set that J’ouvert morning afire.


Winston left Trinidad All Stars and played briefly with Stalift and then concentrated on his career in banking, eventually becoming a bank manager with Scotia bank.
 
 
Upon his retirement he moved to Tobago where at various times he was manager and arranger for RBTT Redemption Sound Setters.

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