 |
Othello Molineaux is considered to be a master of the steel pan.
Born in Longdenville, Central Trinidad in 1939, his mother a piano teacher and father a violinist, Othello learned to play piano at a very early age. At age 11 he began playing pan, and by age 15 learned to tune pans and formed his own band, Wonder Harps. He left Trinidad in 1967 to pursue a career as a piano player in St. Thomas, though he continued to focus on playing pan. He formed his first group that combined the steel drum and conventional instruments, bringing that band to Miami, Florida in 1971. There he played with an array of University of Miami alumni, including Curtis Lundy, Bobby Watson and Jaco Pastorius.
Othello stepped into the jazz-world spotlight in 1976, appearing on Jaco Pastorius' grammy nominated, epic debut album, "Jaco Pastorius." That musical bond continued as he was featured in Mr. Pastorius' "Word of Mouth" big band and small band projects. Since then he has appeared in concert and/or recorded with a wide array jazz greats including Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Michael Urbaniak, Monty Alexander, Joe Zawinul and Ahmad Jamal. He is acknowledged by many as the pannist that introduced the unique sound of the steel drums to the jazz world as a featured improvisational instrument, where it had traditionally been utilized in orchestration. He continues to arrange for steelbands (orchestras) in Trinidad, including Laventille Serenaders, Valley Harps, Tripoli, East Side Symphony, Nevados, Tobago Starlift, and the Pamberi Steelband in Panorama competition.
Othello Molineaux's "It's About Time" stands as his debut recording as a leader, met by critical acclaim.
Musiciansalso featuring
Monty Alexander piano
Gil Goldstein accordion
Bobby Mintzer saxophone
Alex Foster saxophone
Randy Brecker trumpet
Romero Lubambo acoustic guitar
Pete Sebastian electric bass
Ira Coleman acoustic bass
Archie Peña drums
Bobby Thomas Jr. percussion
Duduka De Fonseca percussion
Maucha Adnet voice
Carol Moore voice
Tracks (audio)
01. No Way Out 5:27 
02. It's About Time 4:40
03. Hannibal's Return 6:28
04. But Beautiful 6:42
05. Horatio 7:43
06. Havona 6:27
07. Bluesette 6:18
08. De Panman 4:39
09. Is it Safe? 4:40
10. Monk on the Run 7:36
Review
Despite a well-earned reputation among jazz musicians dating to the late '70s, there have been only glimpses of virtuoso pan player Othello Molineaux on record. Perhaps not surprisingly, after such a long wait, his first effort as a leader suggests a sampler. With his impressive technique, Molineaux attempts nothing less than circling of the square, turning the percussive pans into a fluid wind instrument. It's About Time is a rarity: breezy, easy on the ear and substantive. -The Miami Herald
