Pan Player, Pan Tuner
? - 13th November 1999
The name Vernon “Birdie” Mannette conjures up the sound of the sweet cellos of the Invaders steelband of Woodbrook.
“Birdie” as he is affectionately called; in an interview recalled that when he was a boy he lined up in the Queen’s Park Oval to be picked to field balls either for tennis or cricket at around 5.30 a.m. on mornings, with many of his [to become] peers [doing the same thing].
The elders within the Oval who arrived [knowledgable about] the same time that [the] Alexander Ragtime Band [one of the earliest steelbands from the very early 1940's or before] was formed; suggested that the boys should also form a band. This they did, and so, Oval Boys was formed, with the yard opposite the Oval’s entrance as the pan yard.
“Birdie” at this time, with paint and caustic soda pans being predominantly used, was even at this early stage tend[ing] towards tuning. Following the film Night Invaders, the name Invaders was used as the name of the band. Stanley Hunt was looked upon as Captain; although all the members had responsibilities. [By all accounts; a well captained group of very talented members, with strong egos kept well in check; each taking their tasks very seriously and having a great deal of respect for each other; in other words, an exceptional team!]
“Birdie” as a young pan player, never had the problem associated with the beating of pan as many other boys had. [He was neither discouraged nor astigmatised for wanting to be a pan player.]
The sweet tones associated with Invaders over the years especially with the cellos, were the products of “Birdie”.
“Birdie’s” brother Ellie, the famous pan wizard, left these shores way back in 1967 and “Birdie” took over the captaincy the following year.
“Birdie” has made several music tours. He has been to New York three times, Suriname twice and visited Scotland in 1983 with WoodTrin steelband; the winner of the School Steelband Musical Festival for that year.
As a tuner, “Birdie” has tuned pans for Renegades, Casablanca, Merrytones, Phase II, Starlift to name a few.
“Birdie” himself, played the tenor as a pan player and has been the recipient of many awards both at home and abroad.
He [has] received the Humming Bird Silver medal. In 1992 he received the Tropical Splendor Art and Culture Association Award at the Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Centre. In 1986, he received an award from the Carnival Development Committee (CDC) for outstanding contribution[s] to Carnival.
“Birdie” left Invaders in 1992, after a long association, and at present is associated with Lincoln Enterprises; where he continues to be a tuner, but [on] a much lower scale.
“Birdie’s” long association with the steelband movement, in particular as a tuner, makes him a pannist of yesterday and one to be cherished.
© 1997 Gideon Maxime: Pg 209; PAN THROUGH THE YEARS (1952 - 1996)[This reference is a matter of research for these pages]
