Gerelle Forbes Remembers Ken “Professor” Philmore

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - My pan learning started late. Mainly because of my classically trained background with violin. When I was old enough to drown myself in pan I learned about arrangers like Pro in books and classes. The first time I actually met him was in Courts Sound Specialist panyard. I still didn’t make the connection, because this person smiled the biggest warmest smile and greeted me like we were long-time friends. So initially I thought “Have I met this person before today?” He continued by asking “How yuh going??” - but not in the rush away way Trinis like to ask. Very polite friendly concerned way. Little casual small talk happened until he was called away by someone. We spoke nothing about pan. 

Now this is early in my pan career. I now start in d ting. So no way this man know me. I still didn’t make the connection of who he was. I even asked someone “Das Pro?” I learnt his music first. After actually meeting the man I realized this man’s music is so much greater than him. In the sense that, he is so ‘Tuh d ground’. So full of love. When you meet him you meet .... just a simple passionate man. Not an arranger. Or an artist. Just a man. I’ve never seen him walk in a room with an ‘I’m-a-big-time-arranger’ attitude. And he greeted EVERYONE the same way.

It’s refreshing to witness and experience it because this life and industry can really suck the passion out of you. Then you spend a short moment with a person like “Pro”, and you are smiling again. Everyone around him respects him. You see it in their body language. But that’s just me observing from the side.

My favorite arrangement of all time is “Pan by Storm”.  The first time I heard it I was so close to tears. No other arrangement to this day affect me on first hearing the way this one did. I regret then being too young in the pan. To have missed out on the 1990 performance. I didn’t know who the arranger was. The music was just too captivating and kept carrying me through this emotional journey. At the end I found out Pro was the arranger. Words really can’t explain my thoughts then nah. As a musician he received alllll my respect. Even now I sometimes listen to it and think “How he come up with disssss.”

Rest in Passion Pro. Cause you surely lived in it.

Gerelle Forbes -
Panist, TV and Radio Broadcaster, Composer, Actress, Performing Artist

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