Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:14 hours 57 min ago
When panmen clash...
Arnold takes ‘Boogsie’ to task
Published: 2 Sep 2009
Pan Trinbago president Patrick Arnold says it was “very unfortunate” that Humming Bird Medal (Gold) winner, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe behaved in an “inappropriate manner” at the end of Monday’s Independence Awards ceremony at President’s House.
Arnold said the incident happened when he went over to Sharpe to congratulate him on winning the Humming Bird Medal (Gold) for long and devoted service to T&T in the field of culture. Sharpe, who was being interviewed, told Arnold: “You and your crew (national executive) should step down...time to go.” Sharpe, widely considered to be the greatest steelpan arranger ever, continued: “Patrick I think it’s time to rest. We need people with (business) qualifications to run steelbands because right now steelbands down on the ground (and) nobody respects us.” Arnold laughed off Sharpe’s comment.
Parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Junia Regrello, who was present said: “Government is committed to the development of the art form...We’re going to contribute.” Even though Arnold rejected Sharpe’s claim yesterday, he said Pan Trinbago had tried unsuccessfully to achieve that objective. He said the initiative was being frustrated by successive governments’ failure to provide adequate resources to make it viable. To Sharpe’s claim that the steelpan was dead, Arnold said that was not so, as steelbands had grown larger and the winning prize for the Panorama competition was in excess of $1 million.
He said when he joined Pan Trinbago, the first prize was about $37,000. Without elaborating, Arnold said when a similar incident took place previously, the unnamed panman was expelled from the organisation. He did not say whether a similar course of action may be taken against Sharpe.
About boogsie
He began his career with Starlift where he worked as a co arranger with Ray Holman. He is most strongly associated with the Phase 11 Pan Groove Steel Orchestra. They won Panorama in 1987 and 1988. Boogsie started to play the steelpan at age four. He played with Invaders before moving to Starlift. At the same time, Holman was moving toward taking the revolutionary step of composing music specifically toward the instrument.
Boogsie was never taught to play it. He just listened to sounds on the street and took part in jazz sessions with other musicians. Although he could not read or write, his musical sense is very highly developed. In 1984, he treated the crowd to his own composition of I Music—this time playing the pans from the front side of the instruments, rather than from behind the pans. The latter was the customary position.
So, how come Jit Samaroo was
So, how come Jit Samaroo was not nominated?
Jumbie's Watch
Jit Samaroo was most likely
Jit Samaroo was most likely not nominated this time around because he had already received the Humming Bird Medal (Silver) in 1987 and the Chaconia Medal (Silver) in 1995. He was also granted an Honorary Doctorate from the UWI in 2003. DavyMisir
Thanks for the
Thanks for the info...
Jumbie's Watch
Exactly. Nicely accounted as
Exactly. Nicely accounted as there is a conspiracy every where today in Trinbago.
So Boogsie is the Ramjack of
So Boogsie is the Ramjack of Pan Trinbago?
"When I say go, thou goest!"
MFRahman
Lol Lol Lol
Lol Lol Lol
I wonder who drives the
I wonder who drives the Hyundai Matrix with the Pan Trinbago logo on mornings in such a crazy and dangerous manner on the Eastern Main Road, and sometimes on the PBR heading into Port of Spain before 6am.
Can't that person obey the laws of TnT and set a better example?
http://dsaltsman.blogspot.com/
...pan lives, Boogsie
...pan lives, Boogsie dies!....
Boogsie is the greatest
Boogsie is the greatest panman ever. THEY WILL NEVER GIVE HIM THE PANORAMA AGAIN BECAUSE OF WHAT HE SAID. THIS IS JUST TO SPITE HIM
I totally agree with Boogsie
I totally agree with Boogsie when he says that its time that the present Pantrinbago executive body take a rest,they have stagnated the progress of the evolution of pan by bad administration.They are only interested in getting Goverment handouts at Carnival.
Its time for a change. I hope at the next Pantrinbago elections that the steelband representatives do the right thing and vote them out.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Panvalboy
WHAT DID THEY EXPECT The
WHAT DID THEY EXPECT
The government gives a National Award to two people whose personal lives reflect the moral decay in TnT. There remains no standard by which a person qualifies for this award. Boogsie's contribution to pan is as what--an arranger, an excellent panbeater? What? There have been so many others who have made transformational contributions to the steelpan and have never won an award. Take Ray Holman who many would say Boogsie cut his teeth under. Ray began calypso for pan. Boogsie followed. He is not a better arranger than Ray. He is not even a good ambassador for pan. You add that to his personal life and Boogsie does not deserve that award. Don't talk about Keith Smith. Are we to ask our kids to emulate these two based on professional reasons and not also on morality.
Seriously, I hope that these
Seriously, I hope that these awards are not pawned or sold so as to buy anything of an illicit nature to feed anyone's habit.
JT There
JT
There have been so many others who have made transformational contributions to the steelpan and have never won an award. Take Ray Holman who many would say Boogsie cut his teeth under.
I think I read somewhere Ray Holman is a receipient of the Hummingbird Silver Medal of Merit? My source does not cite the year though...
As someone wrote, the Pan Trinbago website, whilst an improvement on what was there a few years ago, is still sadly lacking. Don't have the patience today to 'research' if the website has this information...
La Diva
Liam Teagues should be
Liam Teagues should be receiving an award every year for what he does for pan in south / world. But i do know what is for you you will get it. Plus an award does not define who you are, it is a nice way to recognize each other.
Your kids should be looking at u, boogsie kids should be looking at him, so dont ask our kids nuttin. stop pretending, say what you want to really say......leave the children out of it.
you live your life, congratulate those who win something and stop hating. the wonderful and talented Liam Teagues should be on the list. Boogsie made a good comment, but most of us dont like hearing the plain truth. Pan Trinbago does not protect the steelband organisation, they have not evolved in anyway, they are aware that the numbers have grown and with that they have been ASKING THE GOVERNMENT FOR MORE MONEY, BUT IF WE ARE TO ASK THEM TO account for that money we'll see how much of it is NOT GOING TOWARDS pan or the pan members. Patrick Arnold cannot see outside the litte, tiny two x four his mental capabilities occupies. and that usually comes with age, plus he is not aware that there is much more to be done to run the pan business and this happens when your get older, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU GOING SENILE, SO in all fairness, even though it is time for him to pass the baton, he does not want to do so, plus he and his people will have to share the money and put it where it belongs in order to grow the Pan Fraternity. and he will not have that, plus he has friends in certain places....we know how that go in trinidad,,,,,,,
more than two panmen should win awards, there are at least 15 or more people we could think of . peace people
Greatest Pan Arranger? The
Greatest Pan Arranger?
The person who wrote this piece clearly is not familiar with the steelband movement. For one, Boogsie is but one of a clique of uniquely gifted persons any of whom could carry the mantle of 'greatest pan arranger'. How is Boogsie a 'greater arranger' than Smooth, Jit, or Bradley (RIP)? What criteria do you use to determine this? Do not unwittingly propagate propaganda that may not be true. Secondly, Boogsie has 5 panorama titles to his name, and not 2 (did the author read an outdated article to get this info?). Phase 11 won panorama in 1987, 1988, 2005, 2006, and 2008.
Mr. Editor, please protect the integrity of your publication by insisting on factual accuracy in print at all times.
The article says "widely
The article says "widely considered".
Don't blame the editor blame your comprehension.
"Widely considered" is not the same as saying he is the greatest.
You're just nitpicking.
Mr Sharpe is very
Mr Sharpe is very right.There is no inappropriate place to speak the truth.Mr Arnold and his bunch of limers have been sucking taxpayers money now for years.The only benefits achieved were largesse from the treasury.There is a need for forwarding looking people in Pan Trinbago with management skills and business acumen
Boogsie is still smarting
Boogsie is still smarting from licks in Panorama and the fact that he could not have his way with presenting more than the allotted players on the day.
He must also remember the assistance that he got from the unbusiness like Pantrinbago in the past. Pan is here to stay and we will all pass before any of us see it DEAD
BOOGSIE's GOT IT RIGHT. Pan
BOOGSIE's GOT IT RIGHT. Pan is dead under PanTrinbago. When Arnold equates pan with an event - panorama, you can see where his head is at. Definitely not in the same space as Ray or Boogsie. Pan is dead. Just look at pan at carnival, you can't even hear it. Panpen play because they love music, not because it provides them a livelyhood, at least not in TT. Who is mad and bold enougjh to put Jit? And Boogsie's name in the same sentence? Because Jit was judged by panorama judges to "win" panorama? Certainly not because of musiciansip, arrangements, or any other musical abilities.
Boogsie's insight in pan is not limited to the music I believe his genius is also in seeing the mess pan is in and where it is heading under the current support system. Nevermind his human frailties, like the rest of us.
The truth it has been said,
The truth it has been said, hurts. What is wrong with Boogsie's statement is not how it was said but WHERE and WHEN it was said. I am not sure that was the forum for him to voice his thoughts. Patrick Arnold himself has admitted that "initiative was being frustrated by successive governments’ failure to provide adequate resources to make it viable." This is the proof that they are not being taken seriously as a unit. Solution:let a more "respected" and knowledgeable bunch take a shot. I wholeheartedly agree with the thought that there needs to be some change in Pan Trinbago as it (from a long time now) was seen as an unchartered organization made up of fellas out for a lime who were pardners (sic). I remember as a child hearing them on Queen Street on Friday evenings when I waited at my mother's workplace across the street from their offices (by the way Boogsie's dad worked there too) to go home and they always sounded more like a lime at a club than a serious meeting. I remember hearing loud rowdy vocal outbursts, obscenities and persons knocking what sounded like bottles (beer?)when in agreement on something. What has that organization done to ensure that pan lives on? Maybe there needs to be some consideration in what Boogsie said--not necessarily businessmen but people with sense and direction, some intelligent foresight won't hurt too. Don't shoot the messenger.
NO MR. ARNOLD. Len 'Boogsie'
NO MR. ARNOLD. Len 'Boogsie' Sharpe did not behave in an inappropriate way. The fact that he accosted you at the ceremony might have been untimely and a little crass, but he is right. Your ideas of improvement that "steelbands had grown larger" and "the winning prize for ther panorama competition was in excess of $1 million" are not to be underestimated. But, Mr. Arnold, that is not what Boogsie is talking about.
Let me give you 13 examples of Pantrinbago's negligences:
1. Pantrinbago does NOT respond to emmails.
2. Pantrinbago does NOT have a proper headquarters since the old headquarters was burnt over 10 or more years.
3. Pantrinbago does NOT keep recordings of past Panoramas or Steelband music festivals
4. Pantrinbago does NOT have any businesspersons on their executive board.
5. Pantrinbago is NOT a transparent organization accountable to the public.
6. Pantrinbago does NOT publish its income and expenditures on its web site to give the public some insight as to where their tax dollars are going.
6. Pantrinbago does NOT have any business ventures to raise money apart from the subsidies it receives from the government.
7. Pantrinbago does NOT collect steelband recordings and place them in an archive.
8. Pantrinbago does NOT have an archive for steelband music.
9. Pantrinbago does NOT take or welcome ideas from the public or other panjumbies who want to see improvement of the steelband movement.
10. Pantrinbago does NOT have a user friendly web site to permit real discussions about the steelband movement.
11. Pantrinbago does NOT represents panists but steelbands.
12. Pantrinbago does NOT have a definitive history book about the steelband movement. It never reprinted George Goddard's (past president of steelband association) book.
13. Pantrinbago does NOT have a steelband library.
Mr. Arnold, while I applaud you for your hard work, giving panjumbies more steelband activities and the increase of prize monies for the Panorama, it does NOT really help steelbands. The cost of preparing a steelband for Panorama and the steelband music festival is more than the prize monies they receive. That is NOT good business when a steelband expenditures is more than its income. Yes, you have kept the competitions alive and you must be thanked for that. But, the steelband movement needs more. To date, Pantrinbago has shown that it cannot really deliver what Boogise and panjumbies are seeking. It is time for the steelbands to take their cultural gift and make it into an art form. we have seen what another African musical contribution (jazz) has done. WE EXPECT MORE!
Although I do not live in
Although I do not live in TnT fulltime and do not keep up with the daily in's and out's of the steelband moment, I fully understand and appreciate what Boogie Sharpe said about the "management" or the lack thereof of the steelband movement in TnT. I too feel that the presentation of the national awards at President's House was not the best event or location to voice his concerns or to call for the leadership of the steelband movement to "go." Putting that aside, I do agree that the movement does need people with better management skills, who are not just out for a good lime. It is time to take the movement to the next level and not just promote the steelband at festival or panorama time.
It is also time for them to ween themselves off "government handouts" of prize money. For he who pays, calls the tune. I believe there are enough large corporations and companies in TnT who should be contributing to our national instrument and the panmen who play it. This way, you get the govt out of the business or at the least, reduce their involvement and contributions to prize money, etc. As you so correctly showed above, there are many things that Pan Trinbago is not doing to advance the pan movement. For as you know: "if you don't use it, you will lose it."
The stagnation that the pan movement is suffering from is similiar to what the country is undergoing with the same "old" people running things and not wanting to give way to new people and new ideas. They just don't know when it enough is enough and it is time to take a hint and go lay down and let someone else run the show. They seem to want to hang on forever. So horrah to Boogsie and his thoughtful remarks and congrats on his award. Now, I hope Mr. Arnold will reflect on what Boogsie said and take it to heart and most of all, do the right thing without any reprisal against Boogsie for stating the obvious.
NO Dingolay NO. Your
NO Dingolay NO. Your comments are typical of many Trinidadians. On one hand you blame Patrick Arnold and the other you praise him. This is the simple reason why so many are confused today. Stick to what you originally started. If you say Patrick Arnold is not doing a good job managing pantrinbago, then keep it that way. Don't continue to tell the public, he did good this and good that. Come on people, stand up firm. Now everything you started with is now cancelled out by eventually praising Arnold at the end. What are you trying to say? And we wonder why after all these years the country still got Patrick Manning and Panday in politics. Patrick in the USA
Patrick, while I cfiticise
Patrick, while I cfiticise Patrick Arnold, I am not unaware of his contributions. In stating those contributions I try to show his limitations. Untypical of some trinbagonians i am not out to destroy Mr. Arnold. It is not personal. My only interest is to see the total improvement of the steelband movement. I am not trying to engage in picong or fatigue. Mr. Arnold and the rest of Pantrinbago's national executive board have reached their peak.
But, try as we may to point out all the mistakes and errors of Mr. Arnold, it is the steelbands and they alone that will bring about any changes in the movement. To date, the steelbands have shown that they like the status quo. While I agree with Boogsie, every year he send his two representatives from Phase II to sit on the board. Why have we not heard from thsoe two representatives? Phase II is a member of Pantrinbago while Boogsie is not. Pantrinbago is a steelband organization. Its membership is made up of steelbands and not panists. Therefore, if the steelbands feel that Pantrinbago or Mr. Arnold is not doing a good job theycanchange the board at election time. But, WE DO NOT HEAR A PEEP FROM ANY STEELBAND.
It is the steelbands that have to stand up firm for their organization. Pantringao belongs to the steelbands. So far, they chose not to stand firm. Ask them why?
dinah, why is it when U
dinah, why is it when U disagree with a persons opinion you proceed to behave in a despicable manner. All the Lols come over as really low class - try to stick to the news being discussed in a mature way,thanks
Why are we so hung up on
Why are we so hung up on awards???
Trophies and awards gather dust and decay and when the recipients pass on, of what value are they??
The true rewards are in your legacy - the results of the good that you do or try to do and how people remember you when you move on - either from you calling, your job or to the great beyond.
This could apply to a good teacher, nurse, doctor, police officer, fire fighter, parent, grand parent, uncle, aunt or friend, who may not be "out there" showing off in the media or on some public platform.
You could give politicians and other "leaders" all the awards you (or they) want and it would make no difference to their legacy.
As far as I can recall, people like Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Winston Churchill and others of their stature did not gloat on the awards that they received and always had a humble disposition.
It is time that we move on to solving the problems of the country, rather than fight for awards and all sorts or recognition.
The average citizen in T & T is not concerned with these things, but with the quality of life, such as good health care, proper security, education, water, electricity, roads and the level of service from the Government, politicians and public servants.
Who cares which persons receive awards, when greed, corruption and crime reign over the land and you cannot enjoy a good quality of life??