Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Steelpan pioneer Anthony Williams ORTT (Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago) will be celebrating his 83rd birthday with a steelband concert in his honor. The gala event takes place at the St. James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St. James, on Saturday June 21, 2014, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Seven of the “best of the west” steel orchestras will pay musical tribute to the Grand Master Steelpan Tuner and Builder. They are Phase II Pan Groove, Invaders, Starlift, Woodbrook Playboyz, Power Stars, Scrunters Pan Groove and Sapophonics.
Anthony “Muffman” Williams born June 24, 1931 is often described as ‘a man ahead of his time.’
When the steelpan was still in its infancy, Anthony Williams aka “Tony” was able to design a pan with notes spaced at intervals of fifths; because the instrument’s surface looked like a spider web, Williams called it the “Spider Web Pan.” It was he who introduced ‘wheels on pans’ for Panorama. Williams has also composed one of the finest pieces of pan-recorded music when North Stars Steel Orchestra teamed up with the late Winifred Atwell for “Ivory & Steel.”
A dedicated steelpan player, pioneer, leader, tuner, champion arranger and composer, Williams has worked tirelessly in the pursuit of the steelpan instrument and art form. He is, and will be remembered as, one of the greatest ever in the annals of steelband music.
In 1992, Anthony Williams received the Chaconia Medal (Gold) and then in 2008, he was presented with the Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago (ORTT) by President George Maxwell Richards.
The “birthday bash” is hosted by Pan Trinbago Inc. in collaboration with The Deputy Mayor of Port-of-Spain, Councillor Keron Valentine, and The Tuners’ Guild. The public is invited.
From the News Desk of Pan Trinbago
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