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Franklyn “PaPa Zegg”
Garcia began playing
the Steel Pan
instrument over 30
years ago without
formal music
training. His
musical résumé
includes
performances with
Tropical Angel
Harps, Pamberi,
Claytones, Deltones,
Pandemonium, and
touring with Silver
Stars to Canada and
the U.S. The
changing tide has
taken Garcia to the
world-renowned
Exodus Steel
Orchestra where he
is now featured on
both lead vocals and
the double second
pan.
His love of music
started at a very
young age; he was a
well-known
house-party DJ for
his village, using
his mother’s stereo,
where he spun
continuous records
using only one
turntable. Singing
was also a passion
which cleansed his
soul when he sang
spiritual songs in
church. He
harmonized with the
Curepe Pentecostal
Choir under the late
Louise McIntosh
which opened the
door to the
recording of his
first ‘Pan tune.’
Franklyn Garcia’s
life in music has
come full circle
with new
opportunities always
presenting
themselves. He is
sure of just one
thing; the passion
and the energy he
has for singing and
playing Pan music
will always remain
strong!
Edited by C. Phillips
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Anthony “Juggy” Rose
is a gifted panist,
arranger, composer
and music educator.
Hailing originally
from St. John’s Road
in St. Augustine,
Trinidad – the home
of Flamingoes’ pan
side – Rose embraced
the double second
pans almost as an
extension of
himself, from his
early teens. Both
his father and uncle
were founder and
captain,
respectively, of
Flamingoes. Rose has
the distinction of
being one of
Flamingoes’ youngest
arrangers at age 16,
and with a Grade 8
music theory
certificate to his
credit Rose
successfully
straddled the worlds
of performance and
education. He played
with Desperadoes,
Exodus and Birdsong
steel orchestras and
tutored students at
various secondary
schools.
In
1990 Rose toured
Japan, as soloist in
a small ensemble. He
also attained a
partial scholarship
to attend Akron
University in Ohio,
where he pursued
undergraduate
courses in the Music
Education programme,
with specialization
in percussion
instruments and
steel pan.
A
one-time captain of
Exodus Steel
Orchestra, Rose
currently forms part
of the band’s
management
committee. Rose
lists among his
finest influences
panists Robert
Greenidge, Kenrick
Headley, Tyrone
Noriega and the
legendary Len
“Boogsie” Sharpe.
Further afield it is
the likes of Bob
James and George
Benson who impacted
him. “Juggy”, as he
is affectionately
known, remains a
down-to-earth
individual who is
not about to give up
on his ultimate
dream – establishing
a music school and
performance space in
the neighbourhood
where he grew up.
In
Rose’s light and
lyrical soloing
touch, fans and
well-wishers can
enjoy his 2013
composition featured
here,
Jam Meh, with
vocals by Franklyn
“PaPa Zegg” Garcia. |
