Salah Wilson

Musician, Recording Artist, Composer, Arranger, Producer, Teacher, Published Author, Steelpan Activist

Born in Tuna puna, Trinidad in 1952, Salah immigrated to Montreal 1973, with his chromed alto pans made by Wallace Austin. It was in 1974, at the onset of Montreal's first carnival, when he joined Super Steel. Salah's contribution at that time simply began being as player, enthusiast and witness to the events of the day.

During the years 1974 to 1979, Salah was instrumental in putting together two bands with a difference of musical emphases and format. With his friend Jimi Phillip, Pan Vibes Exhibits explored the concept of a small five piece steelband; and Galaxy Vocal Steelband vocalised with lead singer Junior Byron.

In 1983 he revisited Trinidad for 2 years. Salah returned with his alto pan to Montreal in 1984. He had by then decided to go all-out with the pan this time. On suggestion and with the help and of a good friend and brother Khaliyl (Alfred Li ), Salah took the pan down into the subway - The Montreal Metro - and out onto the streets and parks. For three years he survived as a street musician.

It was an important and formative era for him, as Salah had direct contact with the public, and a lot of new associations were being made in the communities he came into contact with through Salah's visits. Important connections were being set up. Later Salah was able to established a Steelpan Program with the Cote Des Neiges or black community as it is called.

During these 3 years his family was growing up and in 1988 they put together a family steelband group with his children. That was the start of the Salah & Family Steelpan Workshop. In 1990 the concept of setting up a steelband organisation in Montreal came to fruition when Pan Quebec was established. Salah was a founder member and became its first president.

Salah's association with this organisation then propelled him to visit the public school system in 1991, where he presented a proposal for a 'Steelband in the School Program'. The timing was right for a change and the proposals accepted.

The result was a constructive steelpan program in an elementary school. The pilot project was run at Coronation School. The program is still functioning after some seven years ( At this time of writing ) . Between 1991 and 1997 the introduction of pan into other Montreal Public Schools continued. His family and him are presently engaged in teaching pan in four of the Cities public schools, at both elementary and at high school level - Coronation and Somerled Schools; John Grant & Wagar High. The awareness of pan in this city is now thankfully growing.

During those early 1990's Salah thought it necessary to improve on his music skills. Concordia University were running a Jazz programme that was of interest to Salah and he enrolled taking his pan with him. It was the first time in the University's history that a steeldrum instrument was considered to hold a place as a principal instrument of study. The University acquiesced and Salah graduated in 1995 with a Masters in Fine Arts after three years.

Following his studies, Salah has tried to be continually active with the promotion of the steeldrum instrument and its pan culture.

Notable Achievements

• Introduced Steelpans to the public school system in Montreal
• Founder and President (1990) Pan Québec, a steelpan organization
• Founder and teacher of private music school Salah’s Steelpan Academy
• Founder and leader of Salah & Family Steelpan Workshop - Steelband group
• Founder and President of Montreal International Steelpan Festival (2000)
• Author, Publisher of Steelpan Text Book “Steelpan Playing With Theory” (1999)
• Participant in Steelpan competitions and Festivals in Montreal, Toronto, Boston, and Trinidad
• Teacher at five public schools in Montreal

Currently assisting in a program that will establish full music literacy in the Communities and "Panyards" in Trinidad.

Appearances

With the Montreal International Jazz Festival: The Spectrum, Olympic Stadium, Local and National TV and Radio shows in Montreal, On the Road Again CBC, Toronto, Trinidad.

Recordings

With Flamingoes, Desperadoes, Exodus, Volny Orchestra, Kali & Dub, Concordia Jazz Band, Salah’s Steelpan Academy. Salah & Family Steelpan Workshop.