US wins International Pan Ramajay titles
There was one consistent name on the winners list of the 2020 International Pan Ramajay finals: Andre White. The US pannist won in the soloists, duos and quartets categories.
The International Pan Ramajay competition saw the winners of the three categories emerging from a country other than TT. The competition attracted regional and international pannists from Japan, US, St Maarten, Barbados, Denmark, Puerto Rico, Guyana, St Thomas, Antigua and Barbuda among others.
Pan Ramajay made a return to TT’s calendar after 16 years; though virtually. The Republic Bank Exodus hosted the event and plans to do so for at least another two years. White said to Newsday in WhatsApp responses that it feels good to win. He did not go into it to win “let alone to win in all three categories.”
His win was a surprise to him knowing the calibre of musicians that participated. “It is definitely a great feeling and a great surprise,” he said.
For White, the competition brought out the best in a lot of good musicians. He began playing at six and is a full-time musician. White is from Long Island, New York and his family is from TT. He spent a lot of time in TT and played with BP Renegades.
By Melissa Doughty
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
