Michael ‘Chato’ Toussaint - Blind Pannist and Musical Tutor.
Hailing from the smallest Borough in Trinidad, Point Fortin, hometown hero, visually impaired pannist and tutor, Michael ‘Chato’ Toussaint, has the world taking notes. Michael was one of the awardees at the Point Fortin Borough Corporation’s Civic Reception and Awards ceremony in commemoration of their 39th anniversary of becoming a borough. And while he has the fame overseas, he said nothing was more humbling than to be honoured by his hometown. Michael told Guardian Media at the awards at the Clifton Hill Beach Resort in Point Fortin, “I feel really honoured, I feel really humbled. My mom always tell us that good things come to those who wait and I’ve been waiting for a while,” He was honoured for his contribution to Community Service along with Brotherhood United, Swank D Concepts, Legends Sports Club and Grantley Wells.
Michael began his career at Starland Steel Orchestra in Techier Village at the tender age five and then moved to Dunlop Tornadoes. After moving to London in his adult years and taking pan to the English, a medical error left him totally blind. Dejected, he had to hang up his steelpan. Thank God for a friend, who knew his prowess, Michael overcame the odds and made steelpan his full-time job.
Michael said, “When I lost my sight, I stopped playing pan for five years, then a good friend of mine said, ‘you know Mike, I think you can do it you know.’ I was sort of scared, thinking about the octave notes. I’m I going to hit them? Am I going to miss them? As usual, practice became perfect...I think it’s a natural talent. It’s like Stevie Wonder playing his keyboard. I am playing my pan. It’s a natural talent.” He already had the pan mapped in his mind and by just hearing a song; he could pick up his sticks and begin echoing the music.
Michael is an acclaimed steelpan musician with many years experience as a soloist, bandleader, arranger, composer and teacher. He has arranged, composed and played worldwide at venues including Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and St James Palace. Winner of several national Panorama competitions – the highest accolade for steelbands both in the UK and Caribbean.
He has many specialist soloist achievements including The Grant of Royal Charter for the Princes Trust and soloist for the official World Cup Anthem, ‘Carnival De Paris’ 1998 World Cup in France. Michael has performed all over the globe from Switzerland to Seychelles, Nigeria to New York as well as every corner of the UK and Caribbean.
Since November 2001, staff and pupils at Bushey Meads Secondary School in the UK, have been tutored by Michael Toussaint and since 2004 performed live at their school’s Christmas concert under the tutorship of Michael Toussaint. Bushey Meads is very proud of its steel band. Since its inception, students and staff have benefited from belonging to an extra curricular activity that has inspired confidence, friendship and team building. Once they have reached a level of competency in steel pan skills perform in the community and run workshops for younger students. Students then qualify for the Michael Toussaint Award for steel pan skills and service to the community. Michael stopped teaching at Bushey Meads in December 2015. He also taught at Leopold Primary School for 18 years and stopped in March 2020 when the pandemic restrictions took its toll.
Throughout his musical career he continually offered support to fellow musicians and brought music to people of all abilities including those with special needs. He is a music therapist with the National Hospital working all over the UK and workshop leader for Help the Aged.
At 66 and with no vision, Michael now plays and manages the world’s only steel band for the blind and partially sighted - The Urban Fox Orchestra ((UFO) Pilots in London, England plays professionally and is a hit in the annual Notting Hill Carnival.
Michael ‘Chato’ Toussaint is truly an inspirational and talented individual who has not let his lack of sight, set back his musical career. He continues to share his musical knowledge, bringing joy and love to all those who engages with him.
Awards include:
1990 – from the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago for excellence in the field of Steelband Excellence.
1991 – From Black Arts Festival of Culture for Excellence in Steelpan.
1998 – Direction Award for long Service in Ebony Steelband Trust.
2011 – Grenada Calabash Promotions Platinum Lifetime Achievement Award.
2018 – Portrait Photo by Magnum Photographer, Alex Majoli, for acclaimed Bacardi series, ‘Notting Hill Carnival – The People That make it Happen.’
