Changing of the Guard - New York Pan in Transition

Home * Headlines * Site Map * Site Search * Events * Pan Global * Message Board * Guest Book * Pan News * Pan Radio * Pan New York * About Us

Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.

Pan News Digest

Web Feed

Changing of the Guard
New York Steelpan In Transition

Clive Bradley

New York - Indeed, there are many who claim to be able to arrange music for the steelpan family of music instruments. And from a clinical standpoint, they probably can. However, the master steelband music arranger is one that tells the story of the panman, explicitly through his musical creations which are anchored in tradition, culture and rhythms that go back thousands of years and connect implicitly with the soul and spirit of the original drummers and their descendants. Master arranger Clive Bradley was indeed one of these individuals who walked with the gods.

His understanding of how to call upon tempo, melodies, harmonies and rhythms that connected with the psyche of the pan players was revolutionary, evolutionary and reflective. It is this ability to accurately associate these musical elements with life's issues that made him the one of the greatest music storytellers to ever walk the planet.

The New York steelband music scene is at an important crossroad as it is about to enter a new era - the post- Clive Bradley era, if you will. The recent passing of master steelband music arranger Clive Bradley sent shock waves through the steelband music fraternity. While Mr. Bradley was a global phenomenon, New York was truly his stage. The persona and greatness of this master arranger/musician/philosopher were felt, known and recognized - greater nowhere else than in the Big Apple. He did not just dominate the New York steelband music scene, he owned it. And rightfully so - he was the best. Clive Bradley and precious few others are truly the only ones with the ability, who actually created musical pieces that fully exploited the beauty of the complete steel orchestra.

Mr. Bradley participated in thirteen New York steelband music panorama competitions and won ten of them. 2005 marked the final time that the Master took the New York panorama stage since his first entry twenty-three years earlier, and in his final year copped not only the championship title, but second place honors as well. This was the first time in the history of the panorama phenomena, in either New York OR Trinidad and Tobago, that this has ever been accomplished. Every time Clive Bradley took the stage it was a magical moment.

The appreciation of Bradley's music was not limited to the steelband music scene and the Caribbean. His masterpieces and ability were recognized, respected and acclaimed by musicians, fans and critics throughout the world for over three decades. New York classic arrangements like 'Jennie', 'Say Say', 'This Party Is It', 'Tell Me Why', 'This Melody Sweet', 'Dingolay', 'In My House', 'Picture On My Wall', 'Stranger', Ben Lion, 'Trini To The Bone', 'Passion', 'Whap! Cocoyea' and 'Action' to name a few, and in addition to his legendary works on Trinidad's musical landscape, are certified timeless musical gems. Moreover they are a living testament to the man, his music, genius and greatness.

Mr. Bradley's New York career is a blueprint for musical greatness. Culturally significant, timeless and immune to bad taste, musical ignorance or the whimsical opinions of so-called experts, Bradley's music works have and will continue to withstand the test of time. There will never be another Bradley. He was unique.

New York is fortunate to have no shortage in musical talent and ability ready and willing to attempt to fill the void with their genius. The next great musical arranger is probably already here and we just don't know it yet.

Freddy Harris, III (Sesame Flyers), Keith Roberts (Pantonic), Arddin Herbert (CASYM), Sheldon Elcock (Utopia Pan Soul: the Next Generation), Brian Nicholas (Harmony) and Andre White (ADLIB), among others, represent the next tier of New York arrangers. The New York steelband music panorama competition spotlight will now be on them, in the world's largest and most competitive steelband music arena outside of Trinidad and Tobago.

Bradley showed that you cannot anoint yourself - you cannot bamboozle the majority of the people - and great music can never lose - regardless of the [competition or other'] outcome - as it will be listened to, played and cherished by music fans forever. And when the next 'great one' arrives - we WILL know.