Panorama 2006 Trinidad and Tobago

Date: 01.23.06

The wait is over! Desperadoes
choose Eddie Quarless

as Arranger

2006 T&T Steelband Panorama Season
 

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Trinidad - Dr. Finbar Fletcher, manager of the legendary Desperadoes Steel Orchestra from Laventille, Trinidad, has one less decision to contend with for the 2006 Panorama season - the most important one of all:  the choice of arranger to step into the post previously held by late master musician Clive Bradley.  One could say that the Laventille-based steel orchestra is playing it safe, or that a band of their stature literally has their pick of fine musical talents.

After much speculation and rumor, Fletcher (pictured at left) has gone on record confirming that for 2006, Eddie Quarless is Desperadoes' 'principal arranger.'  Quarless is no stranger to the Desperadoes' type of expectations:  he is fresh from arranging for Despers USA in the 2005 New York panorama which took place on September 3.  Quarless has also performed admirably on the Trinidad and Tobago panorama circuit in previous years when he arranged for another championship steel orchestra - Trinidad All Stars - in 1993, 1994 and 1998 when they placed third, second and third again respectively with Quarless arrangements.

According to Fletcher, supporting Quarless will be the extremely competent duo of Andre Robley and Chantal Esdelle.  The latter is a Berklee College of Music alumnus, and has played with Desperadoes for a number of years.  Robley worked with Clive Bradley for more than fifteen years, and is therefore familiar with the band's modus operandi and quest for excellence, not to mention that he is an accomplished musician, versed in the multiple voices of steelpan instruments utilized by Desperadoes, and plays them all.  Dr. Fletcher went further to point out that for the 2004 and 2005 panorama competitions, as well as others such as Pan In The 21st Century, Robley's name appeared on the orchestra's banners, his input recognized at the insistence of Bradley; they read, says Fletcher "Clive Bradley, assisted by Andre Robley."

Possibly having some say in 2006 is another arranger who was more or less considered by many to be the top contender to replace Bradley - Robert 'Robbie' Greenidge (pictured right).  Fletcher explained that Greenidge, who performs year-round in many different parts of the world, has ongoing commitments among other professional responsibilities.  But he stressed that Greenidge  with his wealth of experience, and who took Desperadoes to winner's row twice - in 1991 and 1994 - would definitely be around in an 'advisory capacity.'  Greenidge played with Desperadoes from as early as 1965.

One of the band's other veteran arrangers, Beverly Griffith, made Desperadoes national steelband panorama champions with his arrangements in 1966 and 1985.  Health reasons, says Fletcher, regretfully makes him unavailable to them for 2006. 

An obviously-relieved Fletcher is confident though, that the steel orchestra would be presenting a great performance with their choice of selection for 2006, Bradley's Tribute, sung by De Fosto, (and just one of the selections composed in tribute to the late legendary arranger).  "I think that the ultimate tribute to Clive would be us winning this panorama" declared band manager Dr. Finbar Fletcher.

Basement Press Corp.
©2006 When Steel Talks - All Rights Reserved

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