by - Dr. Dawn K Batson - When Steel
Talks - Special
Florida -
Since news of Clive Bradley’s death Sparrow’s calypso “Memories”
has been looping continuously through my brain.
In
the pan world we often pay great homage to competition and
competition winners sometimes neglecting and underrating truly
beautiful music because it was not in the winner’s row. Bradley
however, inside and outside of competition, was able to capture
the beauty of the instruments of the steel orchestra and the
essence of its players. Simplicity was the message of his music.
Clear effective phrasing and well chosen and placed harmonies
added to rather than detracted from his musical paintings. In
his music you hear clear conversations between the instrumental
sections, as in a drum circle, each section contributing to the
dialogue and given the chance to speak clearly. The voice too he
utilized in his arrangements, incorporating it part and parcel
creating works that joined body, soul and mind. Bradley was a
giver; as a teacher, as a musician, as a creator. He helped us
to understand a bit better this instrument of beauty, its
capabilities and its potential. He brought us joy through his
music and his personality. Clive Bradley, I’ll always remember.
Thanks for the memories and the music.
Dr. Dawn
Batson, associate professor of music, holds degrees from
renowned institutes of higher education. Her Ph.D in
music and international affairs from the University of
Miami, an M.M. is but one. She was most recently
associate professor and director of the steel band music
program at Florida Memorial College. Over the years Dr.
Batson has fulfilled a number of roles in many countries
- including performer, arranger, conductor, teacher,
judge, composer, musical director, lecturer, grant
writer and producer.
[Full Bio]
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