Hundreds of pan lovers turned on their heart light to pay tribute to Jit Samaroo last Friday night at the Queen’s Park Savannah. Pan Trinbago staged a benefit concert for the iconic Renegades arranger now debilitated through dementia.
The bands performing at the tribute were Trinidad Nostalgic, Arima Angel Harps, Tornadoes, Cordettes, Supernovas, Renegades and Samaroo Jets. Veteran radio broadcaster and Panorama host Phil “The Thrill” Simmons emceed the event which commenced at 7.20 pm with Ashley St Clair playing the national anthem on tenor.
Addressing the audience Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz announced: “Every cent collected tonight will be given to Jit Samaroo and his family.” Lauding the gifted Lopinot musician, Diaz added that all revenue earned at Pan Trinbago events during Steelband Month (August) would also be donated to Samaroo.
Sharing Diaz’s acclaim of Samaroo was Simmons who said, “I couldn’t charge Pan Trinbago to do this job. Jit has a heart of gold and I remember years ago he paid for me out of his pocket to take me abroad for a concert his band was playing at.” Led by Tyrone Ali, Trinidad Nostalgic was the first to perform.
Though small in size this band packed quite a punch as it delivered its set which included Latin numbers as well as Sparrow’s, Rose’s and Lord Kitchener’s Mas in May.
Next up was Angel Harps, also making an impact, its repertoire including Bro Valentino’s Stay Up Zimbabwe, Pharell’s Happy, Machel Montano’s Happiest Man Alive and Farmer Nappy’s Big People Party. As it did at the recently held Pan by the Seaside in Point Fortin, Tornadoes had patrons moving with its set, a mixed repertoire which included Sparrow’s Doh Back Back, Kitchener’s Sugar Bum Bum, Baila More, Wine on Something, How Great Thou Art, Free Up, Rebecca and its signature Unknown Band, specially composed by SuperBlue for the band back in 1982.
By the time Samaroo Jets was introduced the audience had grown to well over 3,000 patrons. Samaroo’s original steelband from the ‘60s, one which comprised members of his family, by its excellent playing, the Jets showed that it had withstood the test of time and had lost none of its skill or professionalism.
Still fielding members of the Samaroo family, it felt as if time had stood still for this family as core players like Samaroo’s brother Sonalal (“Killer”); Lalsingh (“Ken”); Anthony; and cousin Carlton “Doc” Moltin were all in the aggregation. Samaroo’s sister Vidya, known for her prowess on bass in the band as a teenager, no longer plays with the Jets but with her nephew’s band Supernovas.
The band’s set included the late Sniper’s Portrait of Trinidad, One Moment in Time, Sparrow’s Memories, Merchant’s Pan in Danger, Sinatra’s My Way and Shadow’s I Come Out to Play. The Jets received a rousing ovation at the end of its performance.
Notably absent to show support for their ailing colleague were arrangers from steelbands outside of the Samaroo “family” of bands. Seen though were Kenneth Guppy, Barry Mannette and Earl Brooks.
Sangre Grande’s Cordettes, a formidable contender in steelband festivals of yesteryear and another band Samaroo arranged for, performed a well balanced repertoire which offered classics, calypsoes and ballads, inclusive of Eine Kleine Nacht Musik and The Will by Scrunter.
Led by Samaroo’s son Amrit, Supernovas sounded full-bodied, powerful and well rehearsed. Beginning its set just after 11 pm, the selections by the reigning National Panorama (Small) champion included the late Ras Shorty I’s Om Shanti Om, a Mighty Sparrow medley and John Legend’s current smash hit single All of Me.
bpTT Renegades, the Charlotte Street steelband Samaroo arranged a record nine winning National Panorama selections for, ended a night of excellent music at 12.30 am. Many a patron leaving the venue were overheard extending congrats to Pan Trinbago officials at the exit and asking for a repeat of the event.
Other Northern Region events during Pan Month include this evening’s Pan Lime, from 6 pm to midnight, at the CAL Invaders Steel Orchestra Panyard, Tragarete Road, Woodbrook. Admission is $30 (single and $50 (couple) and steelbands to be featured are Carib Woodbrook Playboyz, Harvard Harps and Invaders.
The Northern Region will hold the third edition of its very successful Pan on the Food Court on August 22, from 8 pm to 10 pm, featuring St James Tripolians and Blue Diamonds.
In other steelband news, Pan Trinbago has cancelled tomorrow’s Pan in De Countryside, scheduled for Gilbert Park, Couva.
We living in jail
A fantastic production is scheduled for August 30, by Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) and Divas Calypso International at Little Carib Theatre, Roberts and White Streets, Woodbrook.
Billed as We Livin’ in Jail—Mighty Penguin Calypsoes, the cast has been handpicked to interpret and perform the calypsoes of the late Penguin (Seadly Joseph).
A teacher as well as a calypsonian, Penguin, died last year at 70. The history of calypso would hail Penguin as one of very few calypsonians to win both the National Calypso Monarch and Road March titles.
A former president of TUCO, Penguin won the Road March title in 1982 with A Deputy Essential, and the monarch crown in 1984 singing We Living in Jail and Sorf Man. His other hits included Look de Devil dey, Betty Goatee, What Sweet In Goat Mout and The Slipper. Listed to perform are 2015 National Calypso Monarch Chucky, Karen Eccles, Stacey Sobers, Crystal Charles, Kerice Pascal, Delina Diamond, Sharon Alexis, Lyncia Morris, Vornique Benjamin, Chantal Esdelle & Moyenne, Krisson Joseph and Marcia Charles Dance Theatre.
