Crystal Gail Holder Award 2019 - Ebow Mensah.
This next award is presented in memory of Crystal Holder, a talented panist and all-round musician who was noted for the support and encouragement she gave to young people. It is presented to a young person, who is dedicated, talented and has that extra something which sets them aside from their peers.
The recipient of this year’s award lives by his motto of “The only musician you should strive to be better than is the one you were yesterday”.
His interest in music started when he was 3 when he started playing African drums and drum kit. Aged 14, Marlon Hibbert introduced him to pan. He quickly realised it could help with his music theory - but was more fun and easier to understand than piano.
In the years since he has played for Endurance and Metronomes at the UK National Panorama and is looking forward to playing on the ‘big stage’ with BP Renegades because, apart from the undying respect he has for Duvonne Stewart, he feels their “vibes and tightness are insane”.
In 2015, at the age of 15, he set himself the goal of playing drums at the UK National Panorama by the age of 18. Hard work and focus, along with the confidence and support of Leroy Clarke, saw him achieve that goal.
This young man has performed at four UK National Panoramas, two UK Junior Panoramas, Pan Clash under 16’s once and Over 16’s twice, Pan Explosion once, and four Classorama competitions. Taking part in competitive events has undoubtedly aided his self-confidence, minimised his self-doubt, and propelled him onto the national and international stage where his skills have been lauded by the likes of Duvonne Stewart, Andre White and Leon “Foster” Thomas.
As well as playing all instruments in a steel band’s engine room, he plays tenor, keyboard, keyboard, quads, four pan and has recently started exploring the double seconds. He is the drummer and percussion section leader for Endurance Steel Orchestra, where he sees his role as one which ensures the section is vibrant.
His hope for pan is to see the standard raised and for the instrument to become a lot more recognised in all communities. He would like more people to start studying music and not just play by rote and wants bands to be more experimental with the instrument.
His personal aspirations are to take his drumming to the next level. He has gained admission to internationally renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA.
Winner of the 2019 Crystal Gail Holder award for a young and promising individual is Ebow Mensah. Presenting the award is His Excellency, Mr Orville London, High Commissioner of Trinidad & Tobago. For those willing to support this young man in achieving his ambition, he has set up a Go Fund Me page where you can make a donation.
