It’s hard to believe Dr. Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe hits 70 next week. He has kept his youthful exuberance, and his output remains undiminished. Boogsie has written more pan music than even Dr. Ray Holman, another icon who most influenced him.
We’re happy to see that his entry into the golden years will be marked by a 70th Birthday Jam and Party. At Phase II’s Woodbrook Pan Theatre, Boogsie’s cathedral of music, Exodus and Skiffle will join their host for what is sure to be a memorable celebration.
Our history with Boogsie goes back to the 1970's, when he began arranging for Moods Pan Groove in Brooklyn. At the time, we arranged for him to play at Bamberger's (later Macy's, that closed in 1992) at a promotion for Revlon. Arriving that morning to pick up Boogsie, there was not a pan in sight. He calmed alarm with the promise that a friend would bring a pair of Double Seconds to the venue.
The relationship goes back to their early days as young men in Starlift Steel Orchestra.
The guy was there, with not the most attractive pans. But when Boogsie began to play, shoppers stood in awe of what he did with those Double Seconds.
After Panorama 1984, I wrote an article on Boogise for the now discontinued Trinidad Carnival magazine, published by the late Roy Boyke. The Managing Editor at the time was Pat Wong Chong. Recently, she thoughtfully sent me a copy.
Our way of celebrating this pan icon’s birthday is to share this article with you. Enjoy!