click for bio/history/memories
{picture above Herman Guppy “Brown”}
Read what the steelpan community thinks about Mr. Brown in the WST Forum
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink
by
Jerry Bain on -
Condolences to the family and many friends of Mr. Brown. May he rest in Peace.
-
-
Permalink by Selwyn Roberts on
-
My condolences to the family of this great guy. What a loss.
May he rest in peace.
-
-
Permalink
by
Martin Maitland on -
My Condolences to the family of Mr. Brown… RIP, you will defiantly be missed
-
-
Permalink
by
Justin A. Petty on
-
Guppy was a very good friend of mine. I introduced him to the Steelpan family in Boston, MA. I first met him as a young kid when I played for the Rising Star Youth Steel Orchestra in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. He was there every time I played with Lord Kitchener and always offered kind words of encouragement. I had sent my Tenor pan down to him on September 1st to have it tuned, not knowing that he was not well. I spoked to him on the phone and he never once complained, but graciously said that he was going to tune it and have my friend bring it back up to me. I will be in concert at Roxbury Community College on December 10th and will dedicate a part of my performance in memory of this great, wonderful and talented man. May he rest in eternal peace.
-
-
Permalink
by
Athie Martin on
-
First met Mr. Herman "Guppy" Brown in 1992 when I was introduced by Clarry Benn, one of the Managers of Tropical Angel Harps who got all their frontline from Mr. Brown. I had marveled at the sound of the Angel Harps tenors and Clarry took me to the man who made them.
After less than 10 minutes at the Pan factory, I asked if I could purchase a D Tenor to take home. "where is home" Herman asked. "Dominica" I said. "all you have steelband there?" "yes but nothing that sounds like this".
He took me to his Sound Room and set up three tenors. "Chose one" he said. Iasked for sticks. He smiled. I played no, stroked each instrument. He smiled. I played old time calypso like "Lady Walk A Mile...he smiled. I played "Voices of Spring" the PanAm version, ,,,,he smiled.
"Which one you want" he asked. I pointed to one instrument. "Why that one?" he asked ...no smile.
I said that the resonance is more balanced. "What you mean?" ... no smile.
While all the instruments sound great, a few notes on this one and that one over there, are less resonant so that when you lay slow tempo music, you hear the difference. This one does not behave like that as all the notes seem equally resonant and make for a smoother sound. He smiled again.
"I agree" he said. That was my first "Guppy".
Later I discovered from Clarry that he had told Mr. Brown that he was bringing someone from Dominica to him who knew about pan. Mr. Brown had decided to put this person to a test and if he passed, he would sell him one of his pans.
That was the start of a warm and mutually respectful friendship.
In 1994 I brough a group of the best young pan players from Dominica to Trinidad and one of our most memorable stops was Mr. Brown's Pan Factory where he dropped everything and showed the young visitors his entire operation.
Since then I have purchased and am the owner of one of his D Tenors and his Double Seconds. Both with his name and the date of manufacture carved into the steel. He undertook to tune these instruments for no fee once he was satisfied that no other tuner had fooled with his instrument. Arrangements have just been concluded to take the instruments to Trinidad for tuning after 19 years and they still sounding as sweet as ever.
Today I discover on WST that Herman has travelled. The tuning of those instruments will have to wait ... for a very long time.
"By their work shall you know them"......
Guppy Brown, like Clive Bradley ...one of a kind.
Together with all the young pan players and the not-so-young ones, who had the unique pleasure of stroking a "Guppy", we say thank you Sir, for sharing part of your journey with us.
Sweet Pan Forever .... Mr. Brown ... make sure you tune those instruments in music heaven because that is the band we all want to play in when we get there.
To your dear family, love and strength ....
athie martin
-
-
Permalink
by
W. Guppy Jr on -
It touches my heart to read about my dad, thankyou.
-
-
Permalink
by
Salah Wilson on -
Oh my Gosh! ...is this real....... I visited Guppy while I was in Trinidad last August for the International Conference and Panorama ....we had a good talk...he was ok but he was complaining of some physical problems but no help from gov't or other pan authorities as regard the plight of aging pan tuners. The last gesture was that my wife bought him a sno-cone while we sat and talk. We bought some pan stands from his son. ........
What a great loss for the pan world...an irreplaceable lost.. By all standards Guppy was arguably at the top of the present line of pan tuners ... I am very fortunate to have an alto pan (double second) from him.
My family and I extend sincere condolences to the family and community of this legendary Pan Tuner
R.I.P. Guppy ..you certainly have contributed a big part to pan .............
Salah
-
-
Permalink
by
BEDE LOPEZ on -
Another Great one gone, we waiting until they die to do something for them, SMH, rest in peace Guppy,
-
-
Permalink
by
W. Guppy Jr on
-
Thankyou
-
-
Permalink
by
David V. Trotman on
-
He was/is one of the greats. His place in the pantheon is assured because it has been earned and not awarded.
Condolences to his family.
- by Sis Saloma on
-
Sincere condolences to family and friends. May he rest in perfect peace.
-
-
Permalink
by
Peter Gray on
-
Another great one bites the dust ,,, a terrible shame. Just when he was desperately trying to finish outstanding orders for various pans. Condolences to his family.
Peter
-
-
Permalink
by
Jomo Wahtuse on -
My condolences to the family and friends of Guppy who has left this world so much better for his great contribution.May he rest in peace
-
-
Permalink by Cary Codrington on
-
We all know this day will come but it is still so very hard to accept.This is such a great loss, he lived and died for Pan.He has meant so much to so many. As we try to come to terms, let us not forget the Creator. The one who gave us this beautiful instrument and the skill and knowledge to take it to internationally acceptable levels. To Herman "Guppy" Brown a Son of the soil, A man who stands tall amongst his peers. He will always be remembered .May his soul Rest In Peace.
-
-
Condolences to the Guppy Family - He was a Master of his trade (Builder/Tuner) his mark on the culture goes deep - just ask anyone who is fortunate enough to own or play one of his pans...... he will be sorely missed. May be rest in peace.....
-
-
Deepest condolences to the Brown family, and thanks to "Guppy" for creating the most finely tuned steel pans! If music is indeed the speech of angels, Guppy has given to the world, instruments of love, peace and harmony. May he share them with the angels in heaven!
-
-
In a TRIBUTE to the GREAT ones who MAKE THE SOUNDS WE HEAR... We all remember your names when the announcer called. Respect as we celebrate your WORK and LIFE.
-
-
Permalink
by
Val Serrant on -
Heartfelt Condolences to the Family/Extended-Family...on behalf of MySelf & *Parry's Pan School-Family.
We now have a Powerful AnceSTAR On/At Our Side!
AnceSTAR *Herman Guppy Brown>>>MODUPE-O...SINCEREST GRATITUDE, For All That You Have Given,& Will Continue To Give To Us!
ASE-O!
ONE-LOVE!
-
-
Permalink
by
Clarry Benn on
-
I am still in shock as I come to terms with the untimely passing of Herman Guppy Brown . On behalf of T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps Steel Orchestra I extend deepest condolences to the Guppy- Brown family. Only a few days ago we were in dialogue with Guppy as we outlined all our plans for the 2016 Panorama season. We acknowledge that he was having some health issues but as he had done before we were hoping that he would pull through this one. Brown has been our primary tuner and blender for almost four decades and his passing will surely leave quite a void in the band's preparation for Panorama 2016 and beyond. He will be surely missed and I am sure that my sentiments are shared by many steelbands not only in Trinidad and Tobago but internationally as well.
-
-
Permalink
by
Don Clarke on
-
To the family and friends of Mr. Herman Guppy Brown. My deepest condolences and love for your loss at this time. I always say that God is merciful to those who trust and believe in him. We are all here for a short time and will meet the unexpected time of this life, it's how we live and treat our fellow mankind that is so important in serving God. I have known Mr. Brown for many years and has being playing his hand craft instruments for some time, he was no doubt one of the best steel pan builders of our time, he will be surely missed. May the Good Lord receive his soul.
RIP my friend.
-
-
Permalink
by
VALENTINE YOUNG on
-
A General in the Pan Army Has Left us for the Great Beyond. All Condolences to the Bereived Family - Relative and Friends of Late and Great Herman ''Guppy'' Brown. Thank You for All those Sweet Melodic Instruments that Provided for us. Go in Peace Brother and Join the Band of Tuners who are Waiting on You.. Leo Coker - Bertie Marshal - Rudolph Charles - Madman and the Rest of Great Tuners. May You All Rest - In Peace.
-
-
My deepest condolences to the friends and family of Guppy Brown another great contributor to the art of steel pan production. As a preferred player of even resonance across the low tenor spectrum I admired his unique talent for recognizing the importance of such a feat. I too feel a sense of loss just as his friends and family do because we all will miss the void he filled within us, his family with love, his fans with his talent...May he rest in peace like all heroes should...Bob Diaz...
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink
by
Nicholas D Mohan on
-
My Condolences to the family. Thank you for sharing your gift Herman Guppy Brown. R.I.P!!
-
-
Permalink
by
Andre-Roger Dellevi on
-
Deepest condolences and sincerest sympathies to his family and the pan circle. Hopefully the steelpan tones of this master tuner have been passed on and preserved for posterity. May his eternal soul R.I.P.
-
-
Permalink
by
Roosevelt Williams on
-
I have just returned to the country and am now viewing my email, only to hear of Brown's passing. What a shock, even though we at Tropical Angel Harps knew that he was having some health challenges. I am immediately drawn to the year 1986 when as Manager of the El Dorado Comprehensive School Steel Orchestra I approached Brown to make a full complement of pans for the band, having had the knowledge of his skill from being a player with the Tropical Angel Harps Steel Orchestra. That same year El Dorado won the school music festival and earned itself a trip to France and of course, we took Brown with us. I recall that many people came up to us and asked who had made the pans for the band and after that there were long lines waiting on Brown for his exquisite musical instruments. He will be sorely missed not only for his talent but because he was a man committed to family, friends and his work. It must make us wonder what we could have done to keep him here longer, but if the ancestors have signalled that it is time for his spiritual rest, then so be it. Condolences to his family and those who came to know him very closely. He gave us his soul through the music which his pans made possible.
-
-
Permalink
by
Andre-Roger Dellevi on
-
Would love to know if Indigisounds (or anyone else) captured the Guppy Tones???
-
-
Permalink
by
Ian Franklin on -
Condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Herman "Guppy" Brown on behalf of DESPERADOES STEEL ORCHESTRA.
I was fortunate to have been introduced to Mr. Brown by fellow tuner, Mr. Gerard Clarke, three years ago.
The first time I touched pans with the name "Guppy" etched on the surface, I said these pans sound like bells, I did not know how else to describe the tone that was emanating and making my eardrums happy.
-
-
Permalink
by
Ajamu Nyomba on
-
Heartfelt condolences to the Brown family on your loss. Guppy was a master panmaker and longtime friend. May his soul rest in peace. Jah guides.
-
-
Permalink
by
Wayne Joseph on -
So sad to hear the news of going home of one of the best of our, T&T,greatest and innovative tuners, There comes a time when Our Father is ready for each of us to leave this earth and continue our journey with him. I had the honor of knowing Guppy as a very young man growing up in Success Village Laventille.As I was growing up I played with the Chase Manhattan Savoys and our pan tent was just a stone throw away from where he started tuning and had their family Steelband on Pashley street in Laventille.I often use to go and listen to them play and was amazed by the work he was doing as a young man tuning the steelpan. He must be remembered as a Pioneer and I know he will be surely missed by many all over the world. His work and his instruments is all over the world and he left a legacy. I give my uttermost respect and my condolences to his family and I know he will be resting in peace for he has gone home to be with the Father."R.I.P. in Peace Herman Guppy Brown
-
-
Permalink
by
Le'Roi Simmonds on
-
One of the greatest pan makers/tuners EVER! RIP Guppy
-
-
This is indeed the most shocking news I've read in ages. I hope that all those who especially owns a Guppy Tenor treasures it.
Deepest Condolences go out to the Brown Family. Rest In Peace dear friend, Guppy!!!!!!!
-
-
God's speed Mr. Guppy... this news rocked us all at T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps....we will certainly miss you popping in and out our practice sessions...with your trademark cream cap.....returning pans that were tuned and collecting others to be tuned ...our condolences are extended to your family from us at T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps ....
.....thank you Mr. Guppy for the 6 bass I presently play.....I will treasure it.....
-
-
Permalink
by
edgarcwilson on -
Condolences to Guppy's family....he will be missed. God rest his soul.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink
by
Brian Copeland on
-
Another master goes home taking his skill with him. May he rest in peace and rise in the promise
-
-
Condolences to the family. I met Herman in his panyard and had a 1 hour conversation with him about pan. This was a unforgettable conversation where I experienced firsthand the care he places on making a pan and the friendliness he showed towards me in general. We'll miss him very much, but his legacy will live on. RIP Herman.
Mike
-
-
Permalink
by
Reggie Greaves on
-
My most sincere condolences to Mr. Brown's family and numerous friends. First met him in 1982. He came to Belmont to blend the tenors he had made for Fretrin Pandemonium. What a talent? He will be surely missed. Rest in peace my brother. I will forever cherish the Low Tenor he made for me in 2007
-
-
Permalink
by
Calito Alexander on
-
My son has a Guppy tenor pan.
Guppy personally, by hand, engraved my son's name, pan # and his name.
When my son ( 15 yrs ) heard the news of his passing, his response was "Nooooooooo, not Guppy ?!"
He recently ( last week ) had his pan tuned by Guppy. Guppy would always want the pan the night before so that at 4 am the next morning, when the surroundings was quiet and his head is clear, he would sit and tune the pan.
Every single time Guppy tuned Nathaniel's (Natty) pan, Nathaniel will get home. Play his scales on the pan, smile and say "Sweeeeet, now dat is pan".
The man was a genuine genius.
I have not met a nicer more conscientious human. Any competition my son played in Guppy would insist he tune that Tenor.
Once he was not well so I mentioned another tuner to him.
"Nobody tuning DAT pan but me, is Natty and I playing. I will tune it."
And he did.
Great man, gone too soon. -
-
Permalink
by
Anthony C. Gittens on
-
My condolences to the family of Mr Herman Guppy Brown R.I.P.
-
-
Permalink
by
Don Clarke on
-
I am a bit disappointed with some of our pan leaders,namely pan tuners, pan arrangers etc. Please don't get me wrong I'll like to know how is it that when ever we lost a great icon in our musical pan culture we never see any posting form another living competitor in the same field saying any thing on this media?. I am not saying perhaps they have not called said deceased family and express their condolences. It was the same thing with Clive Bradley, Bertie Marshall Jitt and many others, is it because of jealously or envy ?, who is better than who? am' just wondering, what a shame. When Mr. Edwin Pouchet had left us please name me one pan arranger who made any comment? I may be wrong and stands to be corrected, but please tell me. We in this art fraternity needs to be more loving and compassionate towards each other so our youths would follow our examples. My Condolences goes out to Mr. Raf Robinson family and friends for their lost.
RIP PS: Like Mr. Len Boogsie Sharpe said " Show more LOVE
-
-
It may be a case of inability to use the technology to post that might be impeding their comments. I know a lot of the pan people in this fraternity who are incapable of using the WST forum to get or give information. We should equip them on the journey of online usage. BTW.. I mean no disrespect to anyone, but I could name some, which I won't.
-
-
Pan tuner Herman “Guppy” Brown, right, receives the Junior Sammy Group Skiffle award from former Culture minister Joan Yuille-Williams, left, and Junia Regrello, manager of Junior Sammy Skiffle.
-
-
Permalink
by
Brian Copeland on
-
-
Permalink
by
Jeremy de Barry on
-
The Passing of Herman “Guppy” Brown RIP ~2nd December 2015
Herman “Guppy” Brown: Master Steelpan Maker / Tuner.
What a sad year for us all! We live hopefully today, to better understand what we must plan, for our tomorrow.
It is again my sad and humble duty, on behalf of the executive and playing members of Hatters Steel Orchestra, to pass on our condolences.
To Ms Brown, her close family and to all other friends and family of the late Herman “Guppy” Brown, Master Steelpan Maker / Tuner, please accept our sincere condolences for the passing of one of our exceptional brothers in Pan.
We need also to cast or arms around our other sorrowful sisters and brothers in pan, in respectful but strong support to them, for the gap they now feel, at the loss of the services of a great Master Maker / Tuner.
To Tropical Angel Harps, the steelband perhaps closest to the Master of all; the steelband that this year 2015, rendered at the National Panorama and at the ICP Panorama one of the most outstanding and memorable pieces of steelpan music, should anyone out there be properly listening and hearing, that has been produced in the last decade, from the steelbands of Trinidad and Tobago. And that music, of course, rendered beautifully from the pans of a Master.
The next closest, is perhaps, our wonderful Trinidad All Stars.
We now recall a number of steelbands, past and present, who have been touched by the special craft of our lost Master. This list is sadly incomplete and our apologies therewith extended for omissions.
With one short note in particular; we extend our hearts and strength to Madam Martin and her associated steelband in Dominica; and to the young Nathaniel Alexander, pan player, somewhere in the middle of Trinidad.
The Steelbands:
Arima All Stars
Casablanca
Dem Boys
Exodus
Gonzales Sheikers
Laventille Serenaders
Pan Jammers
Pan Knights
San Juan East Side Symphony
Sangre Grande Cordettes
Shades In Steel
Silver Stars
Starlift
Tamana Pioneers
Trinidad All Stars
Trinidad Nostalgic
Tropical Angel Harps
West Side Symphony
Woodbrook Playboyz
To the steelbands concerned and to the family of the late Herman “Guppy” Brown, Master Steelpan Maker / Tuner, our hearts are with you; may our past brother, Rest in Eternal Peace.
tobagojo - PRO Hatters - 20151205
-
-
Permalink
by
Keith K2 Kropf on
-
We will all miss Guppy. I never had the opportunity to meet Guppy in person, but I was fortunate enough to re-tune many of his pans over the last sixteen years. I was always a sweet experience working on Guppy pans, as they were always so easy to put back in tune, having been properly built and tuned from the start. I wish I had had the opportunity to spend time with Guppy and many other panmen from our first generation of pan builders and tuners. I hope that there are other builders and tuners who have spent time and learned from Guppy, so that all his talents and knowledge do not leave this earth with him. His spirit lives on in his pans. If you are fortunate enough to own one, please treasure and care for it, for it has spirit and soul that no other pans on earth have. Guppy, may you eternally rest in peace.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink
by
Joseph Green on
-
Sincere condolences to Linda and their children on the passing of Herman from Joe, Lorna and the CAFE family in Maryland. He was a giant in our world; 20 years ago when CAFE started he provided a full set of Pans, sight unseen. He had never met us, but stepped up to help us on faith. Without Herman Guppy Brown, there is no Cultural Academy For Excellence. We maintained a close, relationship over the years, and our hearts are breaking today as we hold our annual Holiday Concert. The performance is dedicated to his memory and his spirit will continue to live on whenever a young person picks up some mallets to touch one of his sweet inventions - RIP Herman, God Bless You!!
-
-
Permalink
by
Peter Gray on
-
Very true, Joe ... he was an expert and a gentleman. Thanks for dedicating CAFE's Xmas concert to him. We are all pained by the loss to his family and his friends.
Peter
-
-
Permalink
by
W. Guppy Jr on
-
Thankyou for such kind words from the Guppy family with love to each and everyone. May his soul rest in peace and may he continue to touch the lives of everyone as he and the help of everyone one who supported his dream, because he believed in what he did and give all his faith into his friends and work. He is a true father to the pan world. Love you dad and everyone who he has touched with his heart and work. He help bring unity and people from all different races together through music and his love for the steelpan. We love you all may God bless.
-
-
Permalink
by
Alvin Rostant on -
I have never met Mr Brown, I left Trinidad to go on tour with Guinness Cavaliers in 1974 and ended up migrating to Australia where I currently reside, however I've had the pleasure of playing one of Mr Brown's instruments some years ago, a D tenor, sweet, balanced and perfectly tuned, and that's when I fell in love with his work.
For Carnival season 2014 one of my students in Australia wanted to experience playing in a Trinidad panorama, so I organized for her to stay with my family in San Fernando and play with Skiffle where one of my brothers (Bud Webb) was a long serving member.
While in Trinidad she had spoken with Mr Brown about ordering a Tenor pan. In September this year she asked me if I contact him to confirm the order and seal the deal, she said that she could not quite understand his Trini accent on the phone and this was the reason she asked me to make the call.
I was planning to make that call today Sunday 6th Dec, but when going through my emails this morning I found the tragic news. He was a true master of his craft, may he RIP, my condolences to his family and friends.
Alvin Rostant
-
-
Permalink
by
W. Guppy Jr on
-
The Guppy family are thanking each and everyone for their support throughout his entire lifetime. He was a great father and friend, i will miss you daddy and in our hearts never ever be forgotten. By all means his work will be continued his trademark craftsmanship , for more info contact Guppy Jr 18683034500. Thankyou and may God bless each and everyone of you.
-
-
Permalink
by
sterling betancourt on
-
My condolences to the Guppy Brown family and kindest regards.
-
-
Permalink
by
Patrice Lumumba on
-
I grew up hearing the name Herman Guppy Brown being called by Eddison Carr as he announced the names of the pan tuners for the various bands during Panorama broadcasts on radio. To me it seemed all the pans in all the bands were tuned by Herman Guppy Brown.What a great man! What a great talent! What a great loss! My condolences to his bereaved family and to the pan fraternity.I trust that Pan Trinbago would seek to have his name immortalised and that Herman Guppy Brown be conferred with a posthumous national award. May God grant him peace and eternal rest in that panland up there.
-
-
Permalink
by
Cynthia Edwards on
-
I will miss hearing his name mentioned at Panorama. May he rest in peace.
-
-
Permalink
by
Sundiata King on
-
Your presence will remain in this world, Herman. Condolences to the immediate family and also to the world!!!!
-
-
Permalink
by
Joe Cullen on -
I am so sorry that such a legendary tuner has moved on. These are all such wonderful stories of the legendary man whom I never got a chance to meet. I did, through a mutual friend, obtain a Guppy pan in 2005. I knew this was something close to a miracle to obtain a Guppy pan.
I was told 20 years ago when I started teaching pan at West Humber CI that getting a Guppy pan was next to impossible and that the waiting list could be 5-7 years. Then I was told that only people who know Guppy got one. His pans are amazing, that is true. I am sorry that the pan world has lost another legend. Thanks Guppy for your excellence and integrity. Rest in Peace.
-
-
Permalink
by
Cuthbert Matthew on
-
Condolences, as belated as they may be, to the Brown family. We had interacted for the time of the Grenada Panorama 2015. His approach to making comments will certainly be remembered.
