News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Oct. 5, 2018: Trinidad and Tobago music fans are set to bid adieu to one of its great pannist, and music composer, Ken “Professor” Philmore, in San Fernando today, Oct. 5th.
Philmore, 58, died at the San Fernando Hospital, on Sunday, September 30th, six days after he was involved in a vehicular accident. He had been in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital since last Monday, Sept. 24th, after he sustained serious injuries in the accident when his vehicle overturned on the Solomon Hochoy Highway in Claxton Bay.
His funeral service is set for 10 a.m. today at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts, Todd Street in San Fernando, Trinidad. A private cremation will follow at 2 p.m.
The T&T government is among those leading tributes to the ace pannist, who in 1988, appeared with Tina Turner and Lionel Hampton in New York.
“Through his music he did this country proud wherever he played, bringing recognition not only to our country but to our beloved national instrument, the steelpan,” TT Communications Minister Stuart Young said in a statement this week. “He showed us that through dedication and love for the art form, it was possible to become one of the best.”
President of Pan Trinbago, Keith Diaz, said the steel pan fraternity remains in shock as the death of the ace pannist, while the Mayor of San Fernando, Junia Regrello, said many people were still in a daze following the news.
“This is really a sad day. Anywhere you turn, people as asking, is it true?,” Regrello said.
Philmore composed several songs for the annual Panorama competition, including “Pan By Storm” (1990), “Pan Ecstacy” (1991), and “Pan in the Party” (1992). He also appeared as a special guest with Mercer Ellington, son of “Duke” Ellington and was featured on the title cut of Ellington’s album Queenie Pie Reggae. Philmore also appeared in concert with the world renowned Latin American musician Tito Puente.
He is survived by his wife Sophia Philmore and children Keston, Kendra, Kenedi and Ricardo among other relatives
