Len “Boogsie” Sharpe - October 28, 2020 - Anthony’s Cari-Jazz Artiste of the Day
Today is the birthday of Len “Boogsie” Sharpe who is a pannist, composer and arranger extraordinaire from Trinidad and Tobago. In case you missed it, the birthday celebrations for “Boogsie” started last weekend and are expected to last through the week. Endless stories and countless accolades on social media have been heaped upon a man who has, in the past 48 years, genuinely changed ‘the world of steelband.’
With the formation of his band, Phase II Pan Groove, and their subsequent decision to perform their own musical compositions in the country’s National Panorama competitions, Boogsie's” blistering array of compositions and arrangements began with the song, “Rock It With Pan” in 1975 and continued every year right up to his latest, ‘2020 Vision,’ which placed fourth in the 2020 Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama Finals. There were the amazing “Denyse Plummer Years” with the songs, “Pan Rising (’86), “This Feeling Nice (’87), and “Woman is Boss (’88).” The latter two became immensely popular radio hits and ushered “Boogsie” and the band to the coveted 1st prize trophy two years in succession. Phase II Pan Groove have won 7 Panorama titles (1987, 1988, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2014) and over the years of the competition, have managed to accumulate the highest number of second place finishes. At last count we assess it to be thirteen.
Through it all and with his inimitable style, ‘Boogsie’ has been at the forefront of musical innovation, leaving other arrangers and the public to question his sanity… as jazz lovers did with Miles, Coltrane and Bird…. In fact, he was affectionately dubbed “the Mozart of Pan” and in some circles, ‘the Mad Man of Pan.’ Constantly moving, ever bobbing and weaving, ‘Boogsie’ left other arrangers to copy what he'd already done in the Panorama ring while he moved on to more zealous jaw-dropping explorations.
Have a listen to the ‘discord’ at the 6’32” mark, and his ‘choral dance’ at 7’37” in his 1988 arrangement of “Woman is Boss.” Hear the funky side of “Boogsie” at the 6’19” mark of his “Music in my Blood” (2nd in 2003). That song also premiered the first ever ‘pregnant pause’ of dead silence in a Panorama arrangement. It can be heard, or not, at the 3’05” mark of the song. Of course, the years that followed these musical entrees gave rise to several other arrangers feasting on his brilliance. (We could go on, but we won’t.) The accolades throughout the week will no doubt continue, and you will find no shortage of information on social media.
Douglas “Dougie” Redon is a local bassist and steelband arranger. As a young man in his early 20’s, Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe made and left a lasting impression on him. “Dougie” joined Phase II Pan Groove in 1975, having missed playing with the almost 100-strong players for the Panorama Finals, where the band played “Rock It with Pan.” “Dougie” joined the band to play under the tutelage of the revered ‘Boogsie’ later that year.
“The band consisted of approximately 20 players at that time and my instrument was the double-tenor (pans),” says “Dougie. “I had to wait until the 1976 Panorama Finals, the very next year, where we played another of “Boogsie’s” compositions, “Rags to Riches” and I was right there on stage with them.”
As “Dougie” remembered, “the band still practises in the same location as back then – except in those days, it was a small shed.” Of his long-time friend and mentor, “Dougie” said, “From that time and continuing through the years, “Boogsie” influenced my musical journey by his different approaches to arranging and improvisation. He is creative, avant-garde, and rebellious. And while being that, he can also be sometimes simple but effective. His musical intelligence goes far beyond…” (anybody’s knowledge or expectations.)
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This montage is produced by Anthony's Cari-Jazz for viewing and listening pleasure only. No sale or duplication permitted. All music and photographs are copyrighted and presented for artiste publicity, promotion and public education only. Downloading or sale of the material is strictly prohibited. Please see Artiste’s website or Online Retail outlets for purchasing of material.
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