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New York
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I first met Clive Bradley in the
summer of 1981, on Fulton Street in Brooklyn.
It
was one of the happiest days of my life. I will forever be
grateful for the knowledge and wisdom he imparted on me.
Anytime I spent with Bradley was precious. From his insightful
comments on harmony to his bold statements on the human
condition, I always left Bradley's company with ideas and
concepts to ponder for days, years, maybe a lifetime. He
had one of the best minds I ever encountered.
The pan world has lost it's signature
voice. Bradley embodied the spirit of panorama. It's
inconceivable to envision panorama without him. Somewhere
seeping through the canopies, you'll hear echoes of his
artistry. His articulate phrasing, majestic harmonies and
syncopated rhythms will be present in the music of current and
future arrangers for generations. The legend will live.
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Clive
Bradley, Emmanuel 'Jack' Riley, Garvin Blake |
Bradley was a master musical painter.
He
didn't need a "pan tune", with the clichéd chord progressions
and well-worn melodies, as a canvas. He created some of his
most stirring works from material overlooked or discarded by
others. He found beauty everywhere. His orchestral sensibilities
were unparalleled, enabling him to produce symphonic colors that
were beyond belief. Bradley left us an incredible body of work
that will be enjoyed, studied, debated, criticized and cherished
forever.
He took music rooted in Trinidad and
gave it a global feel. He lifted the veil and allowed the world
to see us as a people, in all our glory, with all our faults .
Through music, he revealed himself and his culture in very
personal and profound ways. He held nothing back. His bike had
no brakes.
He once told me "I don't compete with
them, they compete with me" and then followed up by saying "but
I can always out think them".
Yeah Brados, Thanks.
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