Jazzy Pantin is dead

THE entertainment fraternity is today mourning the death of calypso impresario Jazzy Pantin, the manager of the Revenue Kaiso Tent. Reports indicate that Pantin fell while bathing at his home at the corner of  Norfolk street and De Castro Lane, Belmont on Saturday.  An unconscious Pantin was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, where he died at approximately 5 am yesterday. He never regained consciousness. He leaves to mourn a wife, two daughters and a son. Calypsonian Weston “Cro Cro” Rawlins told  Newsday he has practically lost his second father, whom he said had been ailing for some time now. Rawlins said he had spoken to Pantin about two weeks ago and he (Pantin) had indicated his inability to carry on with the leadership of the tent because of his failing health.

Rawlins said Pantin intended to pass the mantle to Eric “Pink Panther” Taylor, Michael “Sugar Aloes” Osuna and himself. A meeting to discuss the future of the tent, Rawlins said, was forthcoming. Pantin had entered a partnership with the late Grand Master of Calypso Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts) to establish the Revue Calypso Tent in 1974. Pantin took over the running of the Revue after Kitchener died in 2000. Alvin Daniell described Pantin as one of the more astute leaders of a calypso tent. Pantin, he said, had a flair for recognising a hit calypso when others felt it was just another song and could single out a promising newcomer. Pantin was a trini to the bone, Daniell said. Promoter Randy Glasgow said although he had never worked with Pantin, he (Pantin) would often call for ideas.