Global - Anthony Williams died on Tuesday, December 21st, leaving behind an unmatched legacy. Tony helped shape every aspect of the modern steelband. For me, and countless others, his passing was personal.
The first pan I ever played was a Tony Williams spiderweb tenor pan my cousin David Maunday, a member of North Stars, had in my yard in Belmont. I was mesmerized by the instrument. It seemed to have a hundred notes, with big notes next to small notes, going round and round, up and down.
Anthony Williams
It would be years before I realized I was playing an instrument laid out in the cycle of fifths, a scientific organization of pitches dating back to the sixth century BC that’s fundamental to western tonal music.
Tony didn’t read about this harmonic relationship in a music theory book. He used his own ingenious mathematical method to arrive at the cycle. Tenor pans with this note placement are now the most widely played instrument in the steel pan family.
Pan has produced many giants, but none taller than Dr. Anthony Williams. He is the Prometheus of Pan. Tony was a groundbreaking pan tuner, arranger, innovator, player and band leader. He mastered every facet of the art form. Tony’s brilliance was overwhelming.
I can still picture that old spiderweb pan I learned to play Sparrow’s “Mr. Walker” on in 1968 when I was six years old. A decade later, David taught me Tony’s prize-winning interpretation of Johann Strauss’ “Voices of Spring”, a song I played every morning for years.
I met Tony Williams only once, in 2018. He was already ailing. But I used the opportunity to thank him for being part of my musical life. And told him that he had elevated the art form to heights unimaginable.
He appeared to acknowledge my comments, while he quietly nodded and hummed along to the DJ music. But when the steelband began playing, Tony became animated, with a look of wonderment, like an explorer on the verge of a new discovery on the frontier where science meets art.
Anthony Williams, right - with the Spider Web pan he invented.
Herman “Rock” Johnston is at left
Rest in Peace, Dr. Williams.
Pan Am North Stars
Dr Brian Copeland, left, Tony Williams, centre, and
Bertie Marshall after receiving the Order of Trinidad and Tobago from the President. —Photo: Steve McPhie
Garvin Blake is a New York-based pan player, arranger and recording artist. His most recent CD is Parallel Overtones.
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