Pionner woman Pan Player
Hazel Henley was one of the early pan women in Trinidad and Tobago and one who led such a [good] band.
Hazel associated herself with cultural art forms of this country from an early age. She used to dance at the Little Carib Theatre; an institution still at that time, in infancy. This was when she was a junior girl at Tranquillity.
In these early past years, the steel[pan] as an instrument, [as was joining the steelbands themselves] was not readily accepted. Luckily for Hazel, she had parental support when she decided to open an all girls steelband at her parents home; on Picton Street, Newtown. Of course, as girls together with her associates, they were forbidden to visit pan yards; but by clever persuasion, Hazel was able to get to these yards; though [only] for a short [stint at a] time, to learn further about this marvelous instrument.
When Hazel decided to form Girl Pat steelband at the end of 1951, Pat Maurice her good friend and contemporary, was also very influential [in the decision and by helping the project in various ways]. Pat herself got into difficulty [by] being a school girl at Bishops, beating pan and dancing at the Little Carib.
Ellie Mannette of Invaders helped Hazel a lot in these early years by providing pans to the girls. Hazel for her own part, had lots of work to do as many of the girls were unable to read music. She taught them. The band comprised 10 members and the oldest was 30 years of age. Their first tune was Tennessee Waltz. Even at this stage, the neighbour complained of the noise, but this did not deter Hazel from doing what she thought was good.
As the band formed, teachers such as Joan Lewis joined. The band under Hazel played at Red Cross Balls, one or two Carnival shows and made guest appearances at [the] Dimache Gras.
The pans were carried around their necks since there were no stands.
Hazel, and by extension the band, stopped when Hazel's mother died around 1954-1955. Hazel was beseeched [to continue] and later on went to Jamaica for the Tercentennial Anniversary [19??]; but [after this event she] eventually stopped.
Hazel Henley a primary pannist of yesterday also blazed a trai[l] for other women to follow.
© 1997 Gideon Maxime: Pg 200; PAN THROUGH THE YEARS (1952 - 1996)[This reference is a matter of research for these pages]
