In Trinidad, October 2002 2003

ROBERT  GREENIDGE DATE OF BIRTH: April 28, 1950 PLACE OF BIRTH: Laventille, Trinidad EDUCATION: Third Street Musical Conservatory, New York, USA STEELBANDS: Savoys Desperadoes Music Makers (Los Angeles, California, USA) L.A. Despers (Los Angeles, California, USA) SPECIALTIES: Player Arranger Composer CAREER:                                       Growing up and learning to beat pan with the Savoys Steelband, Greenidge received an informal musical education in scales and chords from arranger Martin Albino. He left for the USA in 1971 and eventually made his home in Los Angeles, California, after joining some former Desperadoes Steelband members in the Music Makers Steelband. He later took over the leadership of Music Makers and renamed the band, L.A. Despers. He tasted his first Panorama victory in 1985 when he combined with Beverly Griffith to arrange Lord Kitchener's "Pan Night and Day" which won Desperadoes a share of first place with Renegades. He led Desperadoes to two more Panorama victories with his own compositions. The following is a summary of Greenidge's record in the Panorama competition: 1985 - "Pan Night and Day" (Lord Kitchener) with Beverly Griffith, 1st (Tied) 1987 - "Pan in A Minor" (Lord Kitchener), 3rd 1988 - "Panama" (David Rudder) 3rd 1991 - "Musical Volcano" (Robert Greenidge), 1st 1994 - "Fire Coming Down" (Robert Greenidge), 1st 1995 - "Pan Parang" (Robert Greenidge), 3rd 1996 - "Blast Off" (Robert Greenidge), 3rd (Tied) AWARD: 1993 - Trinidad & Tobago Humming Bird Medal Silver (for Culture) 2012 - Caribbean American Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award,Washington, DC, USA Compiled by Ronald C. Emrit