THE big 40 is a momentous occasion in the life of any person or thing. But popular steelband Republic Bank Exodus Steel Orchestra's 40th anniversary was a quiet one, muted by the covid19 pandemic.The band's manager, Ainsworth Mohammed, said a concert had been planned, but with the pandemic currently raging through TT, that was cancelled. "The anniversary, the formal date that we recognise is May 3.
"What we had planned was a small concert using the numbers that was available at the time, which was 25. "That is now off completely. We are not doing anything now except that we are planning for the International Pan Ramajay and that has also been postponed because of the numbers," he said.Mohammed said the ensemble required for Pan Ramajay is six to eight people, and with the number now being down to five in the current health regulations, that event was also postponed for the time being.The International Pan Ramajay competition was held virtually last year. So the band is focused, for now, on upgrading its facilities at the panyard. And when the health restrictions are relaxed or lifted, the band plans to restart its activities even stronger, Mohammed said. "And maybe later on in the year do the concert that was planned," he said. The Tunapuna band's history is documented on sites such as thebestoftrinidad.com.
[caption id="attachment_891940" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Republic Bank Exodus performing during Natiional Panorama semi-finals in 2020. -[/caption]
The website said: "Exodus was formed in St John's Village, St Augustine, on May 3, 1981, when several members of the Flamingoes Steelband, including Amin Mohammed, walked away thereby creating an 'exodus.' "(Amin) Mohammed went on to manage the band during its first 15 years. The band made an immediate impact by reaching the final of the Panorama competition in its first year. "Exodus continued to make progress in the 1980s with the help of the renowned musical arranger Ray Holman and Kenrick and Harold Headley. Later, arrangers Pelham Goddard and Desmond Waithe were recruited and combined to lead the band to four Panorama and three Steelband Music Festival titles. In 1996, manager Amin Mohammed migrated to the Cayman Islands and his job was taken by his brother, Ainsworth Mohammed," the site said.
[caption id="attachment_891939" align="alignnone" width="960"] Desmond Waithe, Bob Theroulde and Amin Mohammed at the World Trade Centre in 1992. -[/caption]
Mohammed recalled the band making it to the Panorama finals in its first year playing Irwin “Scrunter” Reyes Johnson's The Will. From there, Mohammed said, the band grew from "strength to strength." Besides its four Panorama titles, the band also has to its name three national music festivals, two world steelband music festival competitions, and won a Caribbean Panorama championship held in Grenada. It was also awarded the Chaconia Medal Gold in 2003. But the pandemic year has been a difficult year for everyone including Exodus. Mohammed said, "We have been like all other steelbands and artistes...
