Kendall Williams evokes thoughts that are nothing short of magical when he speaks about his relationship with the steelpan–the national musical instrument of T&T. The 23-year-old American-Trinidadian musician, who has chosen the tenor pan as his title instrument, related that every note he struck took him on a musical high he could not explain. But it's an experience he lives to repeat.
Williams recalled falling into a trance-like state when playing. His hands and mind became detached to the point where he forgot where he was. Even so, these events somehow never compromised the musical reality in which he excited those witnessing him play. All this puts a smile on the face of this extraordinarily-talented young adult, whose ultimate goal as a musician is to stamp his creative footprint across the world's music landscape. And, from the look of things, Williams is off to an excellent start. The holder of a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Florida Memorial University, Miami, USA, Williams also plays the marimba and the drum set.
Apart from the work he does in his solo pan presentations, Williams, can also arrange and compose; and not just for this indigenous instrument. He has penned works for string and brass instruments, as well as the marimba. Locally-based orchestras, St Margaret's Boys' AC and Casablanca Steelband Foundation, premiered his music ideas publicly back in 2008. With Casablanca, Williams collaborated on the band's Pan In the 21st Century competition tune-of-choice. In the USA however, Dutchy's Pantastic School of Pan and Florida Memorial University Steelband were the music outfits he worked with between August, 2006, and December, 2009.
He has now taken up music responsibilities with Diego Martin-based Cocorite Westwind. He said: "To hear my music played makes me feel incredibly great. I feel as though I'm making a difference, accomplishing, getting better and making others better." The demeanour of this young virtuoso is no indicator of his qualifications, however. Despite his comfortable grasp of the business of music, analysis, styles and forms mixed in with technology, business and performance, his ego is yet to get the better of him. Even with his credentials, Williams still considers himself a student, although his activities to date have positioned him in numerous, but essential roles as teacher and creator.
"What motivates me is the love, passion and drive I have for pan and (the) music played on pan. "Musically, I have grown in terms of my theoretical knowledge: the ability to understand more of what it takes to do a composition or arrangement and be a composer and arranger. "Despite what I used to think, being an arranger is more than putting down music." In fact, it has improved his communicative and people skills, too. Williams conceives music ideas from no better place–the heart. He's unafraid of embracing his emotions which consequently sprout the required musical shades reflected in his works. Although the process that goes into ironing out details in his pieces was tedious, it kept him energised; and the fun he had, made it all worthwhile.
Still not used to the fact that arranging and composing go hand in hand, he liked the spillover effect where one prompted new lines for the other. "Feeling excited about music is a great way for me to move forward. Players motivate and inspire me to change and excite an arrangement or composition," he said. "Being happy with the end result is my biggest challenge. I believe I am my biggest critic. I like to take advice from anyone willing to give, from those who think they're the most qualified to those who feel they are in no way qualified." Williams is elated about the vast new prospect that awaits emerging steelband arrangers. He cited the steelpan's immeasurable growth, coupled by changes in attitudes as opportunity for creating better avenues for others like him to exhibit the attributes.
It has encouraged him to work harder at being a successful music professional. Williams' affection for the pan was reflected throughout this interview with the buzz words "happiness" and "fun," and thinks it's time to give back to the pan fraternity. ...And why not? Williams was born into pan. His mother Jennifer Jagbir and father Hollister Williams were pannists. His father, of Invaders fame, had a tenor pan at home, which he (Williams) gravitated to each time daddy practised. But before he could strike a note on that instrument, he got his own mini tenor as a Christmas gift from his father's pan tuner/maker friend. That was 19 years ago. Williams was four.
It didn't take long for him to graduate to the authentic instrument, and today the rest is history. His family takes pride in his achievements. They were excited about the things he's yet to accomplish, too. Panorama final night appearances with Witco Desperadoes, Caribbean Airlines Invaders and Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove also ranked as memorable musical moments for this young performer, who is yet to figure out ways to relax away from the instrument. He takes comfort in the fact, however, that sheer personal will have propelled him this level of success, so far, on his quest.