Pan Player, Arranger, Pan Tuner
Sterling Betancourt is one of the most successful pioneers of steelband music in Trinidad and Tobago.
Born on March 1st, 1924, he had his early days in Tripoli which was formed in the 1940s, before moving to Crossfire.
Sterling has been one of the pannist in the early days of Tamboo Bamboo; pounding out bamboo rhythms.
After he left Tripoli; Sterling was one of the early leaders of Crossfire, another St James steelband, while at the same time being tuner.
In 1951 when the Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO) went to England to take part in the Music Festival; Sterling was selected and made the trip.
At the expiration of this concert tour, Sterling remained in England and formed a trio with Russell Henderson and Mervyn Constantine.
Sterling worked in Primary and Secondary schools in London and took the Elmwood Junior band to the finals of the National Music Festival at the Royal Albert Hall.
Although Sterling has retired, he plays in Europe. Among the countries [in which] Sterling has played include Indonesia, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Dubai [UAE], Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Switzerland.
Over the years Sterling has visited Trinidad and Tobago, especially at carnival time, and has been the arranger for the old time steelband La Creole Pan Groove.
Sterling Betancourt has been able to make a living abroad playing and teaching steelband music. This could be said for quite a number of our pannists of yesteryear, but Sterling has the honour and distinction of playing locally and internationally, and has been a part of the transition from Tamboo Bamboo to steeldrum and is still alive and able to challenge the modern pannist in musical quality and animation. Moreover he has been able to witness the stage at which steelband music has reached, from where it originated.
© 1997 Gideon Maxime: Pg 190; PAN THROUGH THE YEARS (1952 - 1996)
