We have fond memories of Dalton Narine as a writer and a friend. He passed away on February 11 and left the pan fraternity in mourning. Dalton was our muse on many things about pan. He had strong opinions about Panorama, once describing it as a blocking agent in pan’s development. He believed too much energy was spent on the competition, leaving bands little time for anything else.

Dalton had an encyclopedic knowledge of the instrument and even deeper details of Trinidad All Stars, a band where he played and that he worshipped unapologetically. He was already ailing when we spoke to him two years ago. Still, he found time to…

The steelband fraternity has lost a stalwart. Rudy Commissiong, who led the Esso Steel Band for 35 years , died in January at the age of 94. Under his leadership, the band produced eight albums and was a fixture in Bermuda for many decades. Commissiong began playing at 17 under the tutelage of  TASPO member the late Ormond “Patsy Haynes.” The Royal Gazette of Bermuda has kindly permitted PanTalk to run its obit of February 5.

The Royal Gazette

Rudolph Commissiong (1930-2025): artist and progressive

Jonathan Bell, Chief Obituary Writer
Feb…