Profiles: Heroes, Role Models and Pioneers of Trinidad and Tobago - by Nasser Khan

78 RANJIT ‘JIT’ S. SAMAROO (1950-2016) J it Samaroo is Panorama’s most accomplished arranger in the large band category; under his direction the Charlotte Steet, Port of Spain based Renegades steelband won that title nine times (1982, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997). Hailing from the village of Surrey, Lopinot, Samaroo’s trademark is the sweet sound he brought to his arrangements over the period 1971 to 2008. This quiet unassuming man is widely regarded as one of Trinidad and Tobago’s musical geniuses. 2009 was hailed as the year for “a celebration of his work” according to his son, Amrit, who had taken over the mantle as arranger following his dad’s long stint. The family band The Samaroo Kids became the Samaroo Jets, recordingitsfirst albumin1975titledTheSamarooFamilySteelOrchestra Classics, featuring the works of Mendelssohn and Prokofiev. He has traveled globally with Renegades, taking T&T’s national instrument to far off places such as Italy, Israel, Morocco, India, Brazil, La Reunion, Madagascar, Jordan, Japan and France, where he performed before huge audiences in some instances. After his retirement, he used his musical talents in writing and scoring for children to aid and enhance the use of the steel pan instruments in the schools of Trinidad and Tobago. • 1987 Humming Bird Medal Silver • 1995 Chaconia Medal Silver • 2003 Honorary doctorate from UWI BERNADETTE T. (LAUGHLIN) SCOTT (1946- ) C ertainly not one to give up, this deeply musical and spiritual person has through her 40 year old group The Love Movement and outreach program, positively impacted on many young people (and older as well) in T&T. In April 2002 the Love Movement was invited by the Vatican