Akeem’s pan passion

At the top of the list was playing the guitar pan with Panorama winner Massy Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra, which performed MX Prime’s runaway Road March winner, Full Extreme.

His involvement with winners continued as he assisted in arranging Five Star Akil’s Different Side of Me for his former primary school, St Margaret’s Anglican of Belmont, which placed first in the Junior Panorama.

The strapping six-footer played the double seconds with Valley Harps, of Petit Valley for the Panorama finals; the three-cello with St Margaret’s Super Stars in their performance of Bacchanal by GB Neutron; and with two single pan bands – Harlem Syncopators and Scorpion Power Boats.

In addition to this heavy pan workload, Larrier, a graduate of Trinity College in Moka, is a second year student at the University of Trinidad and Tobago pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, with an emphasis on the steelband.

“The vibes from playing with different bands, learning different styles of how to play and arrange, will help me,” he said of his attachments to the various bands. He loves classical music, R&B, reggae, jazz and actually “anything, depends on what the engagement calls for”.

Larrier’s love of music goes back to his deceased mother, accompanist at the All Saints Anglican Chapel of Ease, Maraval, who passed away about five years ago. He and his 18-year-old sister Ariel have since been cared for by their aunt, Jacqueline Douglas.

Larrier started music in standard three.

“My mother also played the guitar besides the piano and organ, and both my parents played pan.” However, under the astute guidance and care of his aunt, he has learned to balance academia, pan and travelling to and from their home in Carenage.

As he works towards his degree, Larrier is certain about his love of music but not yet sure where it will take him. However, his overriding wish is “to be the next arranger for All Stars”.