‘Mad Man’

Born and raised in California, Trinidad, Marlon Abner is a career panist and vocalist based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). His musical education started as a young boy where he sang in choirs at both church and school. At the age of nine, he was sent to learn music theory and piano. His career in pan started in 1987 when he played for Antillean All Stars. He then joined Fonclaire Steel Orchestra where he played for most of his Panorama years as a double second player.

Away from Panorama, in 1996 Marlon was recruited by “Hayes” Durity to join the band “Group Trinidad” where he performed alongside noted local musicians like Francis Prime, “Mikey” Collymore, Eugene Bas, and Marlon Baptiste. In 2000 and 2001 Marlon accompanied calypsonians in the TUCO Calypso South Tent. He left Trinidad with “Hayes” Durity in 2001 for the BVI to work as a musician. He is now an independent solo musician plying his trade in hotels and restaurants throughout the territory. His music took him to North America and various countries in Europe.

In 2011 he enrolled in Berkeley School of Music to do several courses pertaining to harmony, arranging and orchestration. His dream is to one day arrange one of his own compositions for Panorama. During his musical journey, Marlon has been privileged to be mentored by some very prominent musicians like Roland “Raga” Lawrence, Ivan “Hayes” Durity, Lloyd Salim Boodoo, and Guyanese-born pianist and music educator “Derry” Etkins, who he met in the BVI.

Mad Man was co-arranged and produced by Jason Dasent at Studio Jay in Maraval, Trinidad.

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