Sterling Betancourt MBE FRSA

Sterling Betancourt MBE  FRSA

Sterling Betancourt was born 1 March 1930 in Laventille, Trinidad. In his early years, he was a member of one of the local Laventille Tamboo Bamboo bands until he became a tenor pan player in Tripoli steel band. He later progressed to become a band member and the tuner for Crossfire, a steel band he was more notably associated to during the 1940s. His skills on the pans earned him selection for TASPO (The Trinidad All-Steel Pan Percussion Orchestra) which was formed to participate in the Festival of Britain in 1951. This tour became a defining point in his career as he decided to remain in England with his pan and promote this new found musical art form. In 1952, Sterling Betancourt joined forces with a fellow Trinidadian musician, pianist Russell Henderson, to record some of Henderson’s piano music. Later the Russ Henderson Steel Band was formed along with Mervyn Constantine. A defining point for the band came in 1964 when the band was invited to play at the opening of a Children’s Carnival in Notting Hill. The invite came from Rhaune Laslette, a Notting Hill resident and local social worker, who was organising the event. In keeping up with the tradition of the Trinidad carnival at that time, the steel band began an impromptu march through the streets, enticing some of the onlookers to take part in the procession. This led to the start of the Notting Hill Carnival in 1965 with steel band music as the music of choice. Betancourt has taken Pan to many countries throughout Europe and Asia and as recognition for his contribution he was awarded Trinidad and Tobago’s Scarlet Ibis award, a University of East London Fellowship, an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) and made a member of FRSA for his commitment in promoting steelpan culture throughout the United Kingdom, and pioneering steelpan projects in English schools

stories,westindians

1930-03-01

Person

6150

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Sterling

Betancourt