The Trinbagonian nation and global pan community mourns the passing of one of the most prolific steelpan arrangers, composers, recording artist and musicians of our time, Ken “Professor” Philmore.
Days after a horrific vehicular accident in Trinidad, Philmore succumbed to his injuries, multiple surgeries and heart attacks, at the San Fernando General Hospital. According to T&T Guardian, Philmore was on his way home from a gig the previous night, when his Toyota Hilux pick-up ran off the Solomon Hochoy Highway on September 24th – T&T’s Republic Day. He suffered fractured ribs and a punctured lung, after being thrown from his car. He was 58 years old.
Philmore is famously known for his epic Panorama arrangements of “Pan By Storm” (1990), “Pan Ecstasy” (1991), and “Pan in the Party” (1992). All of the aforementioned compositions won second place for VAT 19’s Fonclaire Steel Orchestra in the Panorama Finals, in those respective years. He performed for Queen Elizabeth II and received an award from former NY Mayor Koch. He has appeared with Tina Turner, Mercer Ellington and performed with Latin musical legend, Tito Puente, just to name a few. He has toured with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and performed at some of the world’s prestigious music houses, such as Carnegie Hall, The Philharmonic Hall, The Apollo Theater, Madison Square Garden and lectured on Steelpan at The Kennedy Centre, Yale University, Harvard University, Howard University and the University of the West Indies. In 1996, Pan Trinbago honored Philmore as “one of the most promising arrangers.” Learn more about Ken “Professor” Philmore’s history HERE.
As I wrote this piece, I had Professor’s legendary Pan By Storm playing in the background. Undoubtedly one of the best pan arrangements ever, it’s hard not to get goosebumps listening to the carefully orchestrated crescendos, diminuendos, entrancing runs and dynamic bursts of energy from a gifted pan ensemble, led by such an adroit leader. Professor had the North and Grand Stands, and everyone watching TTT (and now anyone watching on Youtube) totally hypnotized by his innate talent to not only construct classical pan pieces but his super power of stirring up any crowd’s deepest emotions.
True pan enthusiasts will forever call Fonclaire’s second place at Panorama Finals 1990 (a loss by 1/2 point) the biggest pan robbery in the history of Panorama. Pan By Storm was indeed an emotionally soulful piece and will be known as Professor’s greatest masterpiece, forever etched in Steelpan history and Caribbean musical culture.
I reached out to a few of my friends to share their thoughts on the loss of Ken “Professor” Philmore. Here are a few honest and heartfelt tributes by some of pan’s most recognizable talents:
Leon Foster Thomas: Ken “Professor” Philmore epitomized what it meant to be a performing steel pan artist. It was not only about just playing pan but about having all the mannerisms of being a professional. He believed that Pan should be on the biggest stages in the world. Professor was a true ambassador of the Steel Pan art form. He represented the steel pan community worldwide and Trinidad and Tobago wholeheartedly. He was a celebrity amongst celebrities and the humblest man amongst the vagrants on the streets. He never hesitated to give his last dollar to those in need.
Ken was a staple at the Lord Kitchener Calypso Tent Review, where his talents are heard on the legendary song for pan, Pan in A Minor. He has also performed with the likes of Tina Turner, Tito Puente, The Duke Ellington Orchestra; led by son Mercer Ellington to name a few, and has appeared on Showtime at the Apollo and Bet Jazz Central. These are just a few of the steps this gentle giant had made for the love of country, culture and pan.
Ken is from the community of Pleasantville, San Fernando, and as someone from Pleasantville myself, we are extremely proud to have such a talent from him and his achievements. We will celebrate the life of a great man and a National Musical Icon. In this difficult time, I want to send love, appreciation and support to Ken’s Family: wife Sophia, Keston, Kendra, Kenedi and Ricardo, sisters Gail and Antoinette and brother Brian.
To my friend and mentor Ken Professor Philmore, in your veins bled LOVE, MUSIC and PAN. I will miss you dearly.
Godspeed. Heart ah love Dada!
Leon “Foster” Thomas
Jay Blessed with Leon Foster Thomas.
BIO: Leon Foster Thomas is a unique force in modern jazz. All About Jazz has labeled him as “the next big thing on his instrument.” “His gift is an ability to bring forth any style with abandon, and play his steel pan as if it belonged in jazz all along…there are times when Leon Foster Thomas plays his steel pan like Gary Burton on vibes,” wrote Examiner.com. Winner of the World Steelband Music Festival’s Soloist and Duet competitions in 2002 and 2004, Leon has worked with artists such as; Hugh Masekela, Melton Mustafa, Vince Mendoza, Richard Smallwood, Kevin Mahogany, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Dolly Parton, Slinger “The Mighty Sparrow” Francisco, Cyril Neville, and many more. His latest release, Metamorphosis, on Ropeadope Records exemplifies his growth and maturation as a musician. Honing his in-depth talents as a musical storyteller, Leon has produced an album which perfectly illustrates his transformative journey.
For more information, visit www.leonfosterthomas.com.
Victor Provost: I won’t presume to speak on Professor’s impact on pan culture – there are so many people much more qualified than myself to do that… but I would like to share how Pro influenced me as a young pannist, and again as an adult.
As a young man starting out playing pan, there were a series of really produced cassette tapes called Pan Assembly that featured all of the Trini pan legends of the day – Earl Brooks, Maureen Clement, Boogsie, Robbie Greenidge, and of course Ken Philmore… I still don’t really know how the series was related to the first cassette I remember hearing “Pan Assembly – Our Heritage” featuring Ken “Professor” Philmore… but I learned that record inside out… I learned every song – and it was possibly my earliest exposure to Jazz tunes (like Mr. Magic and Stardust) being played by a pan soloist. It was so influential to my early musical taste of pan music….
20 years later, as an adult – and now professional pannist – I met Pro for the first time when he visited Old Mill High School in Maryland. I drove to the high school to see him work with the students and his energy was so infectious; it was like the man was glowing… just radiating positive vibes… and PLAYING SO MUCH PAN!
Later that summer, I had the opportunity to play next to him at a ramajay session at the Ellie Mannette Festival of Steel. I was nervous and humbled trading licks with Pro on my left and Andy Narell on my right. He was so encouraging and smiled the entire night – that’s how I’ll always remember him!
Victor Provost with “Professor”
BIO: Victor Provost is a steel pannist, composer, recording artist and educator. Victor is an Adjunct Professor of Music at George Mason University and conducts residencies and master classes throughout the United States and the Caribbean at schools such as Berklee College of Music in Boston, University of Akron, Miami University, NYU, TTU, and Northern Illinois University. He is also an Arts Ambassador to his hometown of the U.S. Virgin Islands, which honored him with a Special Congressional Recognition in 2014, and to which returns frequently to perform and teach as part of Dion Parson’s community-based arts initiative, the United Jazz Foundation. Victor Provost is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading voices on the unique, and often misunderstood, steel pan (or steel drum). With a strong foundation in Bebop, a contemporary sensibility, and deep roots in Caribbean music, he seamlessly melds and mixes genres. The Washington D.C. City Paper’s “Jazz Percussionist of the Year” six years running, his new recording Bright Eyes debuted at #5 on the iTunes Top 40 Jazz Charts and has been met with praise from The Washington Post, Downbeat Magazine, and Hot House Magazine, as well as artists and presenters. Learn more about Victor on www.victorprovost.com.
Derron Ellies: When I was seven years old, I started paying attention to steelpan music videos being broadcasted on TTT. One of the first videos I watched, every time it aired, was Professor’s arrangement of Pan By Storm with Fonclaire. That arrangement sparked my passion for steelpan; three years later, I began learning steelpan with the Manzanilla Police Youth Club. Ten years later, I finally met the legend himself and played under him twice in my Panorama exploits. What a gem of a human being! Always encouraging, always smiling, always ready to embrace and genuinely profess his love. He never held back on speaking of his experiences, and always had a story that one could learn from. When I opened Q Life’s production of Ramajay in April 2015, of which Professor was also a headliner, we spoke for half an hour after the show and I mentioned that I still had a lot of growing to do. He looked at me and said, “At the very least you know this, and that is important. It keeps you humble, and I know humble when I see it. You will more than reach far, Dada…just keep doing what yuh doing. I go do what I doing. And we go more than make it.” Humble beyond measure. Gifted beyond genius. Loving beyond limit. Such is the mark of the giant Trinidad & Tobago lost. I am grateful for every encounter I had with him and for every single song he graced with his touch. We could all learn a lot from the life and legacy of Ken Professor Philmore. May he rest in peace.
BIO: Derron Ellies is an active solo steel pannist. Since 1995, Derron has performed with noted artists such as Roger Boothman and Ozy Majiq; appeared in bands like Los Tocadores and Orange Sky; and has travelled to India, China and London as a cultural ambassador. He is presently a member of Trinidad & Tobago’s National Steel Symphony Orchestra. Become a fan on Derron today via his Official Facebook FanPage.
Pan Podium: Ken ‘Professor ‘ Philmore – a true cultural icon of Trinbago! Your legacy will live on in the many, many people, friends, family and musicians, whom you touched with your kindness, generosity, love and musicality. As you partake on the next segment of your life’s journey, we are all very sad to part company but wish you the very best on it. Serenade all in heaven with your music. Continue to share your love for your fellow man and woman unselfishly. Your undying passion for music and our steel pan culture was always evident in you, especially in your performances, which were filled with such passion and feelings. Thank you for your priceless contribution to your country, your people and the world on a whole. Your legacy is a true reflection of the man who took Pan by Storm and turned it into a global epidemic! Thank you Bro for all that you have shared with us. Rest in Eternal Peace my brother. One Love and God Bless!! – Robbie Joseph
BIO: PanPodium is the official online magazine of the British Association of SteelBands. Robbie Joseph is an of the British Association of Steelbands, the Chairman of the UK Pan Tuners Guild and also the founder of Panpodium. Learn more about the organization on www.panpodium.com.
When Steel Talks : Ken “Professor” Philmore is one of the pillars of Pan globally. He is instantly recognized by a single name – “Pro,” “Philmore” or “Professor” – no qualifier needed. “Pro” unapologetically introduced elements of funk and rhythm & blues into his music, thereby widening the global reach of Pan music and its appreciation, like no other. He is the sole reason a lot of people play and listen to pan music all over the world.
BIO: When Steel Talk is the premiere online platform for all Steelpan news. Their initiative was designed to promote the history and culture of the Steelband globally. Get your daily pan news by visiting www.panonthenet.com.
In a tribute at the Fonclaire‘s panyard, attended by hundreds of family and friends, including former T&T President Anthony Carmona, Professor’s brother, Brian Philmore, made a heartfelt appeal.
According to T&T Guardian, Brian “resurrected one of his brother’s most hurtful experiences after Fonclaire lost the 1990 Panorama title by half of a point with its rendition of Pan by Storm.
“I want to send the message to the judges that you did my brother an injustice because that was Fonclaire’s year and in our heart, we knew that that was Fonclaire’s year and I am sorry he left this plane of existence as the only arranger that did not win a Panorama.”” He added that one of his brother’s biggest heart’s desire was to construct a steelpan school for youths.
Ken “Professor” Philmore’s funeral took place on Friday, October 5 at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts, in South Trinidad. He leaves behind his wife Sophia, children Keston, Kendra, Kenedi, Ricardo and a legacy that will be honored and respected for generations to come.
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Cover photo courtesy: UNC
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