MEMORIES OF AN ICON

Iconic Trinidad musician/steelband arranger Clive Bradley would have turned 85 on Thursday, November 4. Wearing many hats, Clive was a teacher and taught Mathematics at Fatima College. A son of Diego Martin soil, he also lectured at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St Augustine campus.

Though celebrated as a legend in arranging for steelbands, Clive also made an indelible mark as leader of a number of Trinidad bands (combos).

As a young man, Clive, a self-taught musician, played for many popular bands, including Sonny Denner Band, Choy Aming Orchestra, Clarence Curvan Band and Esquires. His musical expertise also saw him arranging music for prominent calypsonians like the late Lord Kitchener, Sparrow and Nelson.

In 1968, Clive was invited by Desperadoes Steel Orchestra supreme administrator Rudolph Charles to arrange for the iconic Laventille steelband. Clive rewarded Desperadoes with six of its 12 National Panorama titles (1976-2000). He also gifted Desperadoes to victories in the Pan Fiesta competition on two occasions (2003/2005), and once in the Pan in the 21st Century competition (2005).

Arranging for Desperadoes, Clive had the distinction of winning National Panorama championships in every decade between 1970-2000.

Further afield, Clive also secured ten wins at the New York Panorama competition for Metro and Pantonic steelbands.

Estranged from Desperadoes in 1998, Clive's arrangement of David Rudder's "High Mass"' won that year's National Panorama title for Arima's Nutones Steel Orchestra. Clive also arranged for Pandemonium, Tokyo, Siparia Deltones and Solo Harmonites steel orchestras, earning each placings in the National Panorama competition.

Arguably the best arranger in National Panorama, sadly Clive succumbed to a stroke on October 26, 2005.