By Michel Outridge
AFTER more than 50 years of playing steelpans, Compton Narine, popularly known as ‘Ras Camo’, feels obligated to share his knowledge of this premier art form with youths and he does so as a facilitator at the Music School on Brickdam.Today the gifted ‘Ras Camo’ is Guyana’s leading steelpan entertainer and a mentor to amateur pan players. He is also a living example of ‘practice leads to perfection’ and ‘hard work leads to success’.

This steelpan veteran is featured these days at many events, locally and overseas, where his virtuoso performances enthrall every time. And he keeps a busy schedule these days, being hired to play pan at many major events, including ones hosted by President David Granger.

COMPUTER

His journey in steelpan has been long and challenging but he endured and has blossomed into an icon. ‘Ras Camo’ told the Guyana Chronicle that his use of the computer was a result of not being able to fully rely on his accompanists.

He said, “I saw the possibilities of the technology and explored its use. As I got more proficient, I realised that I could do my own thing. My outfit, because of its small size, could fit almost anywhere and because there is only one performer the cost is much lower.”

‘Camo’ added that all of these elements have contributed to the success of his business venture and while his current approach has emerged out of necessity, he sees it as a new direction in the development of pan music and his continuing contribution to the art form.

Giving the history of his career, he said he is the founder of the National Steel Orchestra which was established in 2008 for CARIFESTA X hosted by Guyana. The first Caribbean Festival of Arts took place in Guyana in 1972.

‘Camo’ was one of the orchestra’s main musical arrangers during this period. In addition, he took on the responsibility as the orchestra’s resident composer in 2012.

His compositions have earned first place on three separate occasions at the Republic Bank Mashramani Steel Band Panorama in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and he performed with the National Steel Orchestra at CARIFESTA X1 and X11 in Suriname and Haiti respectively.

In 2012 ‘Camo’ was designated the ‘ambassador of the steelpan’ locally, a title which he wears with tremendous pride and a sense of responsibility.

He said in his role as an ambassador of the pan, he has taken the musical instrument to new frontiers, utilizing technology as a main feature and he has been successful in promoting the steelpan in arenas where it once seemed to be taboo.

SCHOOL CURRICULUM
‘Camo’ is optimistic that steelpan is rising and more youths are getting involved since it is a part of the curriculum in some schools.

He told the Guyana Chronicle that pan music for him has evolved because of his introduction of the laptop as a way forward, moving from the pan yard with the aid of technology.

DAYS OF TRIPOLI
‘Camo’ said his journey as a pan man started at the then Tripoli Steel Orchestra in Lombard Street. His father used to work at Charlestown sawmill and while waiting for him in the afternoons, he would go into the pan yard and look at the men practicing.

He said, “I was happy when given a chance to ‘knock’ back then I was just 13-years-old and there I started to play pan under the tulegae of Bertrum de Varell, the then leader and pan maker. As time progressed I became better at pan and was eventually allowed to be a part of the team entering the competition to determine who would play for the Queen’s visit in 1966, just prior to our Independence.

PLAYING FOR THE QUEEN
The Queen was expected in the country in February 1966 but our band, the Guyana All Stars Steel Pan Orchestra, did not place in the competition. The then winner was Roy Geddes’ Russian Bear Silvertones and that very night Camo was asked to play with that band. He played for the Queen at a reception on the lawns of The Residence on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown (then the official residence of the Prime Minister of Guyana, Forbes Burnham), now Castellani House.