Jit Samaroo
Encyclopedia
Life and Merits
Jit Samaroo was born in Surrey, TrinidadTrinidad
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...
, the seventh of 13 children in a family of east Indian origin.
At age 10, he joined the short-lived Village Boys pan round the neck side. His mother, who loved playing the Dholak
Dholak
The Dholak is a North Indian, Pakistani and Nepalese double-headed hand-drum Madal. The name dholki may also refer to a slightly different instrument that uses high-pitch tabla style syahi masala on its treble skin. This instrument is also known as Naal or Dholki....
, died in 1962, and so, young Jit, appointed the task of taking care of younger siblings, formed the Samaroo kids combo.
They were initially Parang
Parang
Parang is a popular folk music originating out of Trinidad and Tobago, it was brought to Trinidad by Venezuelan migrants who were primarily of Amerindian and African heritage, something which is strongly reflected in the music itself. The word is derived from two Spanish words:'Parranda', meaning...
players - Jit on guitar pan, Girlie on cowbell, Vidya on the drums, Baboolal on maracas, and brother Sonilal on scratcher - but by 14, already a self-confessed "slave to steelpan
Steelpan
Steelpans is a musical instrument originating from The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago...
", Jit joined the Lever Brothers Canboulay Steelband. There he learned and mastered all the orchestra's instruments. Recognising young Jit's talent, the musical director Lendeg White allowed him to help arrange the band's calypsos. He also arranged for Jit to have music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
lessons.
In 1971, Jit won the Ping Pong (solo) category at the Steelband Music Festival. In that year too, BP Renegades tuner Bertrand "Butch" Kellman made the necessary connections for Jit to land the job of arranger with the Charlotte Street band.
Then began a long and successful relationship, with Jit helping the band to victory in 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...
on 9 occasions. In 1984 BP Renegades won by 17.5 points, the widest margin ever recorded in Panorama finals. In 1989 he silenced critics who said he could only arrange Lord Kitchener
Lord Kitchener (calypsonian)
Aldwyn Roberts , better known by the stage name Lord Kitchener , was one of the most internationally famous calypsonians. He was the son of a blacksmith, Stephen, and homemaker, Albertha.-Life:...
calypsos, with an arrangement of Baron's "Somebody", that combined as many as six rhythms in one calypso
Calypso music
Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago from African and European roots. The roots of the genre lay in the arrival of enslaved Africans, who, not being allowed to speak with each other, communicated through song...
arrangement. Also BP Renegades under his arrangement is the only Panorama band to have three successive wins in Panorama.
He is hailed as the country's most clinically accurate arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
, arranging one tune by the device of composing additional tunes to accompany it.
A versatile composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and occasional bass player in his family band the Samaroo Jets, Jit was awarded the Hummingbird Medal of Merit(silver) in 1987, as well as the Chaconia Medal (silver) in 1995. In 2003, Samaroo was given an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the West Indies
University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies , is an autonomous regional institution supported by and serving 17 English-speaking countries and territories in the Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica,...
.
Panorama
Victories with the Renegades Steel Orchestra| Year | Song |
|---|---|
| 1982 | Pan Explosion |
| 1984 | Sweet Pan |
| 1985 | Pan Night and Day |
| 1989 | Somebody |
| 1990 | Iron Man |
| 1993 | Mystery Band |
| 1995 | Four Lara Four |
| 1996 | Pan in a Rage |
| 1997 | Guitar Pan |
Readings
Renegades!: The Story of the BP Renegades Steel Orchestra; Macmillan Caribbean, 2002. ISBN 978-0333733110External links
- Jit Samaroo speaks on youtubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....