Within recent times, jazz has captivated the country with its myriad sessions and concerts either “on the greens,” by the Savannah, in the valley, or somewhere inside a club or pub. But with the inaugural San Fernando Jazz Festival, carded for November 12 to 14, presented by Domino Productions headed by Dawad Phillip, the sessions will be hosted on the majestic and panoramic San Fernando Hill.
Leading the assault an the San Fernando Hill at the San Fernando Jazz Festival would be Ray Holman. He is by far the most experienced and master of the jazz genre on the pan. From his track record, you could say that Ray Holman has been on top of Jazz for over thirty years. A graduate of the University of the West Indies in Spanish and Sociology, Ray taught at Fatima College in Trinidad until1998.
He gave up teaching which was in conflict with his music. Too many long nights at rehearsals and the demands of a full-time teaching career was warring with each other. Music won out. After leaving Starlift in 1974, Holman went into freelance arranging for bands such as Exodus, Pandemonium, Phase II Pan Groove and Hummingbird Pan Groove. Since his very first recording with Starlift in 1970, he has enjoyed a successful international career with a variety of compositions. Ray has composed in soca, calypso, ballads, opera scores, jazz rhythms and lately, reggae mixed with jazz frills.
His talent as soloist, musical director and arranger has caught the attention of many persons on the international market. He has played alongside so many groups, ensembles, individuals and to crown it all – the West German National Symphony Orchestra.
In 1994, Delo Records in California released a CD titled Steel Bands of Trinidad and Tobago In Tribute to Ray Holman. A true collector’s item. It is a nostalgic retrospective of his Panorama tunes, as played by Exodus, Tokyo, Phase II Pan Groove and Hummingbird Pan Groove.
Over the years, Holman has carved with pride, another career as a pan teacher. He has been a visiting musician at the University of Washington in Seattle since 1988. From here, he has traversed America, teaching pan and conducting workshops in several US colleges.
In May of this year he was the Virginia Arts Festival Pan Fest. He conducted a clinic, adjudicated for the pan festival competition, and gave an outdoor concert performance. At Richmond College in Dallas, Texas, he performed as a guest artist and later in May was a guest performer at UWI’s “Jazz on the Greens.”
In July Holman was back in the States as an instructor at a workshop run by West Virginia University. He later went across to California State University in late July as a guest artiste at Fresno.
The journey with this affable and tremendously gifted artiste continues. He is in good company on Sunday 14 November, at the “Jazz Waves,” together with Arturo Tappin, Liam Teague, Mungal Patasar, Raf Robertson, TT Police Band featuring Regeneration Now, and Skiffle Bunch with Kenny J.
There will be a small, one-night fringe; off the hill jazz session taking place simultaneously at three of San Fernando’s very popular nightspots on the opening day of the festival. These gigs will be free to the patrons and will be hosted at Atherly’s By The Park, Gooding Village in San Fernando (opposite Skinner Park).
Those in search of more upbeat surroundings could drop in at the TreeHouse Restaurant on London Street, St Joseph Village in San Fernando for the entertainment to be provided by Ron Aqui and Vornette.
November 13 is the day when all roads will lead up hill to witness Hugh Masekela, the headliner act on this $400 all-inclusive gathering entitled “Jazz At The Top.” Joining in on this recommendation will be Mavis John, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Elan Parle, Theron Shaw, Carlton Alexander and D’ Coalpot Band featuring Siparia Deltones, Francis Prime and Ken “Professor” Philmore.
Tickets for the festival are available from Crosby’s (North and South), Puff n’ Stuff, Atherly’s By the Park, City Hall San Fernando, Mayor’s Office Borough Hall Arima and Point Fortin, and members o0f the festival committee; 758-7090, 620-3918, 652-2526, 652-7382/7647, 683-7159.