A Tribute to Dr. Jit Samaroo

 

This morning I awoke to the sad news of the passing of one of Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural icons, Dr. Jit Samaroo, who came from very humble beginnings to not only create history in the Panorama arena with 9 winning arrangements, but has also composed test pieces now performed in Trinidad, Mexico and the USA.

In 2003, Jit who supported music literacy and education, was approached to have 6 of his test pieces for National Pan Chutney and Steelband Festivals by the then Hydro Agri Trinidad (now Yara Trinidad). He had already scored the music, which had been left in a drawer, with Jit feeling at the time, that no one would ever be interested in the music. He immediately welcomed the project which was focused on preserving his music for education, with proof editing done by the University of the West Indies (via Sat Sharma). The product containing recordings by Samaroo Jets and scores to be utilised by educational institutions, and was called “Original Notes”, with the double CD was formally handed over to him in October 2003. It was at the launch, when it was announced that the Music Literacy Trust would be formed and some proceeds from the product, would go back to supporting the Trust, a not-for-profit organisation assisting with scholarships in music education (to which Jit did in fact contribute). Jit also started off being a Director of the Trust.

See links :
Utsav-Ki-Awaz (NIU) - http://ow.ly/WPDO6 
Milap (NIU) -  http://ow.ly/WPDQt 
Coleman's Jam (Facultad de Música de la Universidad Veracruzana-Mexico) - http://ow.ly/WPDTi 
Pan Patterns (Facultad de Música de la Universidad Veracruzana-Mexico) - http://ow.ly/WPDVY 

The music from “Original Notes” has now been performed by the National Steel Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago, Northern Illinois University (NIU) Steel Orchestra and the Facultad de Música de la Universidad Veracruzana in Mexico.

Jit was one of the most humble persons I have ever met, and with all the accomplishments and accolades, he remained focused on how he could help others in pan, knowing what pan had done for him and his family. Several times I had to meet him at the yard teaching kids in BP [Renegades] Youth Steel Orchestra, and he would also describe his ambitions of having his own school. His speech at the launch of “Original Notes” was one of the few public speeches he ever made, and moved everyone with his emotion.

Speech:
youtube.com/watch?v=0bZAOcZU9T8&feature=youtu.be

His passion to the music, his patriotism, his genius, his excellence has been demonstrated consistently over the years, earning him an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies (in the same week as the launch of Original Notes) and Chaconia and Hummingbird medals.

It has been a privilege to work with this giant of a human being and cultural icon of Trinidad and Tobago. The Music Literacy Trust extends its sincere and heartfelt condolences to the entire Samaroo family. RIP Jit, I hope the Trust can continue to do what you so much believed in.

Mark Loquan
Honorary Founding Director, Music Literacy Trust

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