Pan Trinbago Mourns the Loss of Two Stalwarts.

The steelpan  fraternity is once again plunged into mourning with the passing of two (2) stalwarts, Martin Douglas and  Michael “Scobie” Joseph.

Pan Trinbago President, Executive and members extend condolences to their immediate families, their extended pan family and friends on their loss.

Martin Douglas was born in St. James, a stone throw from Sun Valley Steel Orchestra. He learned music and playing pan with North Stars before moving to east Port of Spain and playing with City Syncopators and Casablanca Steel Orchestras. He migrated to the United States in the early eighties. He was the founder and manager of Crossfire Steel Orchestra and one time captain of Invaders USA.

His skill as a pannist is legendary. So too was his kind of personality that was needed when managing conflicts among competing pan outfits which explains why he was the Chairman of the United Steelband Association.  A seasoned pannist whose prowess has served a slew of bands in Trinidad  including Starlift, Silver Stars, Phase II Pan Groove, Third World, City Syncopators, Casablanca and North Stars, Douglas has carved his place among the pioneers of the pan movement in the Diaspora.

Michael Joseph, “Scobie” as he is called was the leader of the Southern Marines Steelband Foundation, one of the oldest bands in Trinidad. He was a former  Central Executive  member  and Chairman  of  the South Central Region of Pan Trinbago.  A stalwart and “protector of the art form – pan-  as evidenced by his various writings on the subject.”

His contribution as a cultural, social and  spiritual activist was  remembered  at a recent tribute in his honor.
And while the Organization may not be able to console the families with their physical presence, it offers its prayers and words of sympathy on their passing.