Edwin Pouchet, leader and musical director of PCS Silver Stars steel orchestra, died yesterday of a heart attack following a prolonged illness. He was 57.The arranger of Silver Stars' two National Panorama victories, this year Pouchet was unable to arrange the band's selection, The Reason, which was arranged by US-based musician Liam Teague.Pouchet was also responsible for Silver Stars' successful annual production: Parang & Steel.
Stalwart Silver Stars member Colvin Joseph said, "Edwin and I go back over 25 years. He was unique. He always had a different perspective. I think he would have been the best arranger in the country."Edwin was our arranger for about 15 years and took Silver Stars from where the band was and placed it right on top of the heap."
Pan Trinbago vice president Byron Serrette said he had known Pouchet since his entry into the Panorama competition, when Silver Stars competed in the small bands category. He said: "Edwin was committed to the music and pan. Silver Stars was out of the fray for a few years and Edwin did a lot of work to bring them to where the band is right now. He also lifted Tobago's Katzenjammers. Edwin carried on the tradition of his brother Junior, though his style was different...Pan Trinbago mourns Edwin's passing."
Dixieland co-founder and a friend of the Pouchet family Curtis Pierre said: "Edwin and I go way back, to the days of Dixieland. I was closer to his big brother Junior, but since Junior passed, Edwin and I grew closer. One by one we are losing our best panmen and citizens.
Edwin was one of the most likeable people I knew. He never had the kind of negative stigma panmen had in the old days. He has left behind a legacy of excellent Panorama music and the steelband family has lost a good soldier. I send my love and my prayers to his wife Christine and his family, and the pan fraternity."
Denyse Plummer, former calypso queen and national calypso monarch, sang a number of the selections arranged by Pouchet and played by Silver Stars. Among them were Give Dem Tempo (2012) and Shock Attack (2013). Plummer said: "Edwin's death is a real blow. Though we know we know he was sick it doesn't make it easier.
His death still hurts deeply, and feels like if somebody cuffed you hard in your stomach. Edwin was there for me all through the years, and actually spoilt me rotten. We grew up together and I knew all the Pouchet boys and girls, going to school with his sisters. I will miss him a lot and want to extend my condolences to Christine and his family."
Pouchet had chosen a number of calypsoes from De Original De Fosto Himself (Winston Scarborough) for Panorama. De Fosto said: "Edwin was a special musician. He was able to win pan's most coveted titles twice. Among my songs Edwin arranged for Silver Stars were Pan in a Rage; Play, Mr Pannist Play; and Four, Lara, Four."
Pouchet, the younger brother of Junior (deceased), leaves to mourn his wife, three daughters (Chanel, Eva'Marie and Erin), and siblings Everard, Elliott, Edmund, Elton, Edrick, Yvette, Heather, Theresa and Camille.
