Mack Scott Pays Tribute to Sonatas’ Champion Arranger Ken “Professor” Philmore

New York, USA - “Myself and a couple of friends were in Trinidad for Carnival in 1982 and we were told of this young man who played with Fonclaire and was very good, but they won’t give him a chance to arrange. At that time we were looking for someone to arrange for Sonatas, because we had won [New York] Panorama in ‘81 but had to get rid of that arranger because he got too greedy.

“The gentleman who introduced us to Ken was a past member of Sonatas; it was Jan Stedman who was at the time a Ruthann man in Fonclaire.

“We met this young guy Ken Philmore, and he told us we have to come to his home and ask his parents which we did. I had to promise them that we would take good care of him; I told them not to worry he would be taken care of. I give them my name, address and phone number where he would be staying, that was at my house.

“The minute he got to my house and was introduced to some of the players and members, had some refreshment, we took him down to the basement where the stage side was practicing; remember it was still June, we were astounded by what he could do on a tenor, and this went on for hours. We saw the joy, passion and love he had for the pan right off; we had to actually stop him from playing.

“By this time the basement was full. After that first night we knew that we had a gem, a star in the making, such love and passion for the pan and everyone he meet - no fake. He was very sincere through and through. He would always greet you with love, a hug and a kiss on the cheek saying “I love you,” that’s the way he lived his life - and he died with that same kind of love. May he Rest In Eternal Peace..... We love you, “Professor”.”
 

Mack Scott
President, Manager
Cook and Bottle Washer
Sonatas Steel Orchestra

See more memories of Ken Philmore 

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