By Carlena Knight
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The melodious sounds of steel pan filled the air in Antigua’s historic recreation centers on Monday afternoon as the nation bid farewell to the famous Antiguan pannist Victor ‘Babu’ Samuel Snr OM.
An official funeral service for the music icon who passed away on June 28 at the age of 64 after a period of illness.
The service featured a number of performances by members of the local and pan-regional fraternity, including Samuel’s friend and colleague of decades, Dr Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe from Trinidad and Tobago, the Antigua Academy of Dance and St Joseph’s Academy Principal Rudolph Davis.
Samuel was a high school arranger for several years, leading the school band to several championships in the local schools’ Panorama competition.
Halcyon Steel Orchestra, accompanied by members of other steel bands such as Panache, West Side Symphony, Gemonites, Hell’s Gate and Point Iron Band, also paid tribute.
Samuel had been a member of Halcyon since the 1970s.
As a drummer, captain and musical arranger, Samuel played an integral role in not only leading the band West Side to several championships in their over 50-year existence, but inspiring dozens of musicians from the Grays Green area.
Samuel’s longtime friend, former Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Baldwin Spencer, delivered the eulogy.
Antigua Grammar School graduates are also credited with introducing the quintessential Caribbean instrument to the police force’s marching band. He was a founding member of Law Enforcement Steel, the law enforcement group that currently holds the title of reigning National Steel Band Champions.
Samuel was sworn into the force as a special constable in 2009 and later became a member of the police gang.
Soon after, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and became the band’s assistant conductor and coach, and in March of this year he was awarded a platinum award for outstanding contribution to the development of the police band.
In 2001, Samuel was appointed a member of the Most Honorable Order of Princely Hereditary for his services to steelband music in the country’s New Year’s Honors list.
