PAN JAZZ
It is not clear who coined the term Pan-jazz, but it is used to describe
either a solo Pannist or a small ensemble of Pannists; or a solo Pannist with a
group of conventional musicians, usually a pianist, a drummer, a bassist, a
guitarist, a saxophonist or some combination thereof, playing conventional jazz
or so-called crossover music. The main emphasis is placed on the Pannist as the
lead soloist. This music is characterised by spontaneous improvisation.
Pan-jazz is traceable to the late 1950s in Trinidad when the late Scofield
Pilgrim, Ray Holman, Earl Rodney, Emmanuel 'Cobo Jack' Riley and others began
experimenting with playing calypso and their own compositions in a jazz styling.
At the same time, they were trying to extend the range of the soprano pan so
that it could be used as a viable substitute for the piano.
Simeon L. Sandiford
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