Felix I. R. Blake, B. Sc., D. T. M., D. Ph., D. S. Orthopaedic surgeon, Steel Pan and Calypso afficionado, Author, Sportsman and Educator.

   Dr. Blake (popularly known as Fedo) is well remembered for his youthful exploits on Trinidad's football fields in the late 1940's.

   His teacher and mentor, Egbert Lorrain Ellis recalls Blake's "rare ability to excel both on the fields of sport and in the classroom"; this duality has pervaded his life. In the Federal Republic of Germany where he completed his medical studies, Blake is recognized as an authority on the Trinidad and Tobago Steel Pan the subject of his over twenty years of radio shows and television appearances there.

   It can be safely said that the entire life of the author has been associated with the practical and theoretical aspects of the music of the New World, more particularly as it deals with the Afro-Asian New-World genre steel pan, Tassa, Calypso, Jazz and the Afro-Cuban music of Latin America.

   His greatest encouragement to complete the first definitive history of this unique 20th century musical instrument, has come from the steelband fraternity, especially such seasoned campaigners as Rudy Smith, "Zigilee" Constantine, Junior Pouchet, Prince Batson, George Yeates and Hugh Borde among others.