Montreal, Canada - On Sunday June 1, 2013 at York University in Montreal, Canada, renowned Montreal-based panist and arranger Salah Wilson—who is completing his Master’s degree in ethno-musicology at York—delivered to examiners, thesis advisers and attendees gathered, samples of his renditions of famous compositions, some classical and some popular, such as Pachebel, Barry White, Chuck Mangione, and Len “Boogsie” Sharpe. Included was one of Salah’s own compositions, “Blues for Pans.”
Salah Wilson (left), with grandson Rashiyd Wilson (center)
What a delightful treat at Recital Hall! The Chuck Mangione piece was absolutely superb. It so happens that the Salah family is celebrating 25 years of playing and promoting Pan. They have won Toronto’s Pan Alive competition four times. Accompanying Salah on stage were members of his family, all excellent musicians, and more so, his grandson Rashiyd Wilson, an intense player if ever there is one.
Salah Wilson at left
After the ‘exam,’ Salah invited some locally renowned panists on stage for an impromptu ‘jam session.’ It was heaven to see and hear panman Pat McNeilly, Salah himself, Lindy Burgess and Hameed Shaqq roll through popular pieces flawlessly, with such ease. Naturally, there was much pride in their promotion of truly Trinbagonian culture in Canada.
Story and images by Herman Silochan
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