Anthony Williams (musician)
Encyclopedia
Port of Spain
Port of Spain, also written as Port-of-Spain, is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third-largest municipality, after San Fernando and Chaguanas. The city has a municipal population of 49,031 , a metropolitan population of 128,026 and a transient daily population...
, Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
) is an inventor, pioneer
Innovator
An innovator in a general sense, is a person or an organization who is one of the first to introduce into reality something better than before. That often opens up a new area for others and achieves an innovation.-History:...
and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
of the Steel Pan.
Life
Williams was born at the General Hospital of Port-of-Spain and grew up in Nepal Street in St. James.He is one of the great pioneers of the Steel Pan, along with Winston "Spree" Simon
Winston Simon
Winston "Spree" Simon was an inventor, pioneer and musician of the Steel Pan.-Life:Simon was born in Rosehill, East Dry River, Port of Spain, Trinidad...
, Ellie Mannette
Ellie Mannette
Elliot "Ellie" Mannette is a musical instrument maker and Steel Pan musician, also known as "father of the modern steel pan instrument".-Life:...
and Neville Jules.
Tony Williams was part of the Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra, TASPO
TASPO (Steelband)
The Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra was formed to participate in the Festival of Britain in 1951. The group presented the newly invented Steelpan to an international audience.-Members of TASPO:...
, which visited England for the Festival of Britain in 1951.
In 1953, Williams presented a Soprano Pan with the notes laid out in a cycle of fifths. Because the instrument's surface looked like a Spider Web, Williams called it the Spider Web Pan.
Tony Williams was the Bandleader, Pantuner and Arranger of Pan Am North Stars and won the Panorama
Panorama (music competition)
Panorama is an annual music competition of Steelbands from Trinidad and Tobago.It is usually held around Carnival time.-History:Panorama was first held during Carnival celebrations in 1963. A popular Calypso is arranged into a piece with introductions and variations over the theme.-Past...
twice in 1962 and 1963.
Anthony Williams received the Chaconia Medal (Gold) in 1992.
He further received the Order of the Republic
Trinity Cross
The Trinity Cross was the highest of the National Awards of Trinidad and Tobago, between the years 1969– 2008. It was awarded for: distinguished and outstanding service to Trinidad and Tobago...
of Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
, presented by president George Maxwell Richards
George Maxwell Richards
George Maxwell Richards, TC, CM is the fourth President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. A chemical engineer by training, Richards was Principal of the St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad in 1996. He previously worked for Shell Trinidad Ltd. before...
in 2008.
Further reading
- Felix I. R. Blake: The Trinidad and Tobago Steel Pan: History and Evolution. ISBN 0-952-55280-9
External links
- http://www.trinbagopan.com/articles/110908.htm
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3auP1RriOo&feature=related