Biography
Ken Philmore is from the island of Trinidad and Tobago, birthplace of the musical instrument, the steel-drum (a.k.a. steel pan). “Professor” is one of the top steel-drum soloists in the world. His fascination with the steel pan began when he was only four years old. In 1974, at age of fifteen, he joined the Hatters Steel Orchestra with the intention of developing his skills as a player. On one of his early visits, a member jokingly remarked “who is this young kid with these old fashioned glasses?”, referring to his bone rimmed spectacles, “he looks more like a ‘professor’ than a pan player”. This is an alias which Ken proudly carries today and aptly suits this gifted musician. In his first year with Hatters, he was selected for a tour to Minneapolis, U.S.A.
One year later, Ken began experimenting with arrangements of tunes for the group. As time progressed, his talents as player and arranger so impressed, that by 1982, he became musical director of one of the nation’s most prestigious steel orchestras. In ten years, he led them to six championships. In 1985, “Professor” did his first album – Our Heritage, which features a mixture of his version of jazz classics like Mr. Magic and Stardust, together with pan instrumentals of some popular calypsos. He was requested to play for Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Trinidad and Tobago that same year.
Since 1987, Ken has produced sixteen albums. Pan Calypso, Love in Steel, Pan Jamboree, Pan by Storm, Pan Ecstasy, Pan in the Party, All Night, Graduation, Jump up in the Road, Carnival is We, Mélange, Love for T&T, Proud Supporters, Cruizin, Time to Breakaway and Hooked. Five of these albums featured lead vocals by none other than the “Professor” himself. Ken has also achieved two National Panorama victories (2007 & 2008) in the medium category. His 2008 victory being with his very own composition, Hooked. He has performed and recorded with a number of international artistes such as Tito Puente, Ella Fitzgerald, Phyllis Hyman, Nancy Wilson, Tina Turner, Andy Narrell, Ralph Mc Donald, George Howard and jazz great, Lionel Hampton.
1989 was a memorable year for Ken “Professor” Philmore. He was honored by the ruling steel pan association, Pan Trinbago, as the most outstanding musical arranger. In New York, he received a special award for his contribution to music by Mayor Koch. Following his successes in Los Angeles and numerous standing ovations at Madison Square Garden in New York, “Professor” was invited by Mercer Ellington to join the prestigious Duke Ellington Orchestra for their tours to Europe and North America. On their album, Music is my Mistress, Ken was featured soloist on the selection “Queenie Pie Reggae”. Outstanding live performances continues unabated – Washington DC Pan Jazz Festival, St. Croix Jazz Festival, Atlanta Jazz Festival, Barbados Jazz Festivals, Tobago Jazz Festival, Guyana Music Festival, Boston Symphony Hall among others.
Ken was privileged to be the first Trinidadian artiste to be featured at B.E.T. Jazz Central, where he was interviewed by Vanessa Rubin and the legendary Lou Rawls. He finished this session with a scintillating performance before a live audience.
The “Professor” is now a musical giant in his homeland, the US and Europe. Apart from Trinidad, he currently arranges music for steel bands both in New York and the United Kingdom. Young pannists and arrangers try to imitate his style. His impact on the pan arena has been nothing short of phenomenal and there are audiences yet to be exposed to his unique combination of dexterity and soothing runs on his “steel piano”, as he calls it.
The genius continues to blossom.
*PANNIST *COMPOSER
*PRODUCER *LECTURER
Member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra
REPERTOIRE:
Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Calypso, Reggae
Festivals:
The North Sea Jazz Festival
Washington Pan Jazz Festival
St. Croix Jazz Festival
Atlanta Jazz Festival
Barbados Jazz Festival
Tobago Gourmet Jazz Festival
Guyana Music Festival
Performance Venues:
Blues Alley
Carnegie Hall
Brooklyn Academy of Music
Madison Square Garden
Waldorf Astoria
United Nations
The Hollywood Bowl
Apollo Theatre
Schubert Theatre
City Auditorium
Powell Arts Center
The Philharmonic Hall
Royal Festival Hal
St. David’s Hall
Theatre Royal
Boston Symphony Hall
Television & Radio:
Bill Boggs Show
National Geographic
WLIB 1190 AM
WHIB 91.5 FM
WDCU 90.1 FM
WHUR 96.3 FM
WPFW 89.3 FM
BET Jazz Central
LECTURES:
The Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.
Yale University
Harvard University
University of West Virginia
Howard University
Central Michigan University
UWI, Trinidad Campus
University of North Carolina
University of Arizona
New York Tech Community College
