Remembering Pan Pioneer Oscar Pile
Oscar Pile Steelpan Pioneer
TrinbagoPan.com Reporters
Event Date: March 03, 2008
Posted: March 10, 2008
Members of the Pan fraternity turned out in their numbers at the Clark and Battoo Funeral Chapel on Monday 3rd March, 2008, to celebrate the life and times of Pan Pioneer Oscar 'Bogart' Pile. Oscar Pile, who was born on January 17th, 1922, passed away after a brief illness on February 26th, 2008.
Steelband pioneers of various bands come to celebrate the life of Oscar Pile
A talented Panman from the fiery, creative and often bloody period of the early development of the Steelpan, Oscar 'Bogart' Pile was renowned for being a walking encyclopedia on the Steelpan. In his early days, he founded and captained the legendary Belmont-based Casablanca Steelband. Pile also was one of the founders and vice presidents of the Steelband Association in 1950, which later morphed into Pan Trinbago being the body representing the interests of the Pan fraternity. According to a release from Pan Trinbago, Oscar Pile, along with the late Sydney Gollop, traveled the length and breadth of Trinidad in their bid to assist Steelbandsmen who stood before the Courts; it was he who organized the transport, and with letters from Albert Gomes and R.A. Moze, they would approach the magistrates.
 | | Baba Erin Folami leads the service
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Orisha Elder, Erin Folami, led the African-styled service which was spiced up by sweet Pan music, Orisha drumming and tributes to Oscar Pile. According to close friend, Zena Moore, "Oscar was best known as the last of the trail blazers - those men and women who gave up so much of their time in the furtherance of the Steelband and its development. He was the de facto leader of Casablanca Steel Orchestra..." She further noted that he was cultured in the strict discipline of the Panyard and did not take kindly to foolishness or idleness. Oscar was remembered as having experienced all the stages of the development of the Steelpan, including the Tamboo Bamboo and Dustbin stage.
The tributes flowed from friends and family as they remembered the life and times of Oscar Pile, with laughter ringing through the hall as various experiences with Oscar were shared. Close friend Randolph 'Ranny' Bobb humorously recalled the days when Panmen, including Oscar, had to steal oil drums to make Pans. The recollections by Holly Beautidier and Dixieland's Curtis Pierre were just as humorous. Another close friend, Ken Drayton, remarked that in the annals of Pan history written, Oscar Pile's name will be there.
Anum Bankole of NJAC
Anum Bankole of the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) paid tribute to Oscar who he described as one of the great icons of Trinidad and Tobago. He lamented that many young players were not aware of the history of the Steelpan and the trials and tribulations it took for the various Steelbands to reach where they are. He called for the establishment of a heroes park to preserve the legacy of various cultural icons.
Michael Green of Unistars Steel Orchestra, who was a student of Oscar Pile, spoke with Triniview.com and revealed that Oscar had a great impact on the Pan-tuning class which he taught. Michael remarked that his fondest memory was in terms of the history of the Steelpan that Oscar shared with them as well as the strong values which were imparted. Lloyd Gerald, an early member of Casablanca, revealed that Oscar was a father figure who would listen to both sides and weigh issues fairly. He expressed that Oscar's departure is a great loss to humanity.
Locksky Alleyne talks about Oscar Pile
Baba Erin Folami, in a brief interview, highlighted Oscar's role in getting the Panmen to stop fighting. He said that Oscar was able to explain the history of Steelpan in a very eloquent way; in such a way to convey the social, political, economic and psychological meaning of the Steelpan. Joining in, and speaking about the importance of Oscar's contribution, Locksley Alleyne expressed that the Pan came from the belly of ordinary people who had no formal education. Against all social odds, including poverty and social discrimination, he said that the Pan pioneers were able to achieve great things. Erin Folami and Locksley Alleyne both anchored the emergence of the Pan in grassroots culture and African resistance to colonial authorities, saying that the Pan was forged in the fire of badjohnism, social abuse and criminal action by the police and magistrates. It is in this social context, where schoolboys were expelled for playing Pan and where a person could be jailed for being too close to the Panyard, that Oscar Pile thrived and made an indelible contribution to the cultural landscape of Trinidad and Tobago.
Friends of Oscar Pile viewing his body
Among his achievements are:
Founder and member of Merryboys Steelband;
Founder and member of Casablanca Steelband;
Vice President and one of the founders of the first Steelband Association;
Assisted many authors who were researching the history of the Steelpan including the Pan Trinbago commissioned book "If Yuh Iron Good";
One of the members of the peace committee that brokered peace between warring Pan bands Tokyo, Casablanca and Invaders;
Represented Panmen in court throughout Trinidad and Tobago;
Created what is said to be the first Pan theatre during his Casablanca days;
Served in an advisory position to several National Steelpan Association Presidents;
Lectured at home and abroad about the history of the Steelpan;
Winner of a 1974 Public Service Medal of Merit (Gold) for his contribution to the Steelpan movement.
Farewell to Oscar Pile in pictures:
www.trinbagopan.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=20623
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