The Ten Commandments of Pan
On Sunday,
December 16, 2007 WACK 90.1 FM
Radio in conjunction with Pan
Trinbago hosted Jason "P'Nut"
Isaacs, formerly of Phase II Pan
Groove, at its studio on Coffee
Street in San Fernando,
Trinidad.
The second
edition of the live interactive
broadcast, the weekly show is
the brainchild of Hollis Clifton
who, upon his recent return from
sojourn in Africa became
concerned about the blatant
disregard for Trinidad and
Tobago as the birthplace of the
steelpan and more so, as pan is
the only percussion musical
artform to be invented in the
twentieth century.
Show hosts were D.J. Heshimu
with Hollis Clifton and Elton
Bain - Pan Trinbago Chairman
(Ag.) South Central Region, and
P'Nut.
At 57, the New York based
pannist is currently arranging
his own composition for Kalomo
Kings Steelband of San Fernando.
The piece is entitled " The Ten
Commandments of Pan" and sung by
Tony Prescott. P'Nut was
in high praise for his spouse
Ingrid de Peiza for her
contribution to the lyrics.
He was also grateful to Frankie
McIntosh with whom he
collaborated musically for the
piece.
|
(left to right) Elton
Bain, Jason 'P'Nut'
Isaac, Hollis Clifton |
In response
to a question from host Heshimu,
Isaac recalled that he started
playing pan at age 5 and had to
stand on a box in Roxy Theatre
while playing with "Boys Town
Is" which later became Western
Stars Steelband.
In the USA Mr. Isaac’s panmanship
and arranging skills were felt
by a number of steelbands
including Tropican, Moods Pan
Grove, Sonatas, Pan Rebels and
Dem Stars.
In response to Mr. Bain's
question he stated that over the
years his own compositions
included Jamboree, sung
by Steve Sealy, Jam Dem Raw
and Hard Wine both sung
by Tunapuna Scanty and Pump
Up De Steel sung by Steve
Sealy.
Callers-in to the interactive
segment included Nicholas from
Atlanta, who gave the tune 5 out
of 5. Terry from the USA felt
the objective of the show was
quite in order and commented on
how informative it was, never
mind the 7 inches of snow being
endured in Boston at the time!
Isaac's achievements include:-
-
travelling with Liberace and
Highlanders Steel Orchestra;
-
a jazz
recording with Bobby
Humphrey;
-
in
concert with the Ink Spots
and the Doobie Brothers;
-
recording
with Rick Derringer
-
as well
as his own jazz CD.
In
conclusion, Mr. Clifton proposed
that in order for any leeway to
be made in branding Trinidad and
Tobago as the home of/and
originating country of the
steelpan, there is need for a
symposium to be held among Pan
Trinbago, The Bureau of
Standards and the manufacturers
of pan.
by
Hollis Clifton
Pan Diaspora Visionary
contact
hollisclifton@yahoo.com