The calypso fraternity has been plunged into mourning with the passing of Carlyle ?Jazzy? Pantin, owner and manager of the Calypso Revue tent.
By Geisha KowlessarPantin, 75, who had been ailing for some time with heart disease, died around 5 am yesterday at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.
Pantin was rechristened Jazzy during his adolescent years because of the many hours he spent listening to jazz.
Family members who gathered at his home at De Castro Lane, Belmont, yesterday afternoon were in a sombre mood.
His niece, Grace Bason said shortly after noon on Saturday, Pantin was watching cricket on television.
She said he went to the bathroom where he collapsed.
He was immediately taken to the hospital by ambulance but slipped into a coma some time later.
An autopsy is expected to be performed today.
?Everyone is absolutely distressed. Although we knew he was ill, we did not expect his departure. He was always very active, both with the calypsonians and at the recreation club,? Bason said softly.
She said up to the night before, Pantin was liming with friends at the Independence Sports Club, Tragarete Road, which he owned and managed.
Pantin, who never married, was the father of two children, Deborah and Kirby.
His great-niece, Bason?s daughter Heidi, manager of group corporate communications at First Citizens Bank, said she considered herself fortunate to have known someone like her uncle.
?He brought a lot of culture into my life. As a small child I was surrounded by some of the great names in the calypso world and I think myself really fortunate,? she said.
She said the telephone lines had been flooded with calls from relatives and friends living both home and abroad.
COMMENTS
Denyse Plummer
Calypsonian Denyse Plummer said the death of Carl ?Jazzy? Pantin represented a sad day for T&T.
Describing Pantin as a quiet, unassuming man, Plummer said she has had the pleasure of knowing and working with Pantin for the past 16 years.
She said Pantin was always there to lend guidance and had been the backbone of many calypsonians.
?He died with a wealth of information about the business of calypso and the history of calypso. I lost Kitchener and now I have lost his right-hand man,? Plummer said.
She said she last saw Pantin two weeks ago.
?We sat up and talked for hours. Who would have thought that he only had two weeks left? I thank him for all that he did for me and I am grateful I had the oppoutunity to tell him to his face.?
Pink Panther
Eric ?Pink Panther? Taylor said just last week Pantin held a meeting with senior calypsonians, telling them that they must now run the tent.
?I did not think any thing of it because he (Pantin) was good. He was sprightly and happy,? Taylor said.
He said he had not yet registered Pantin?s passing.
?I?m trying to accept it. I have not believed it as yet. I have known the man for 25 years and all that time he was a very good tent manager. To manage a tent like that you have to be good.?
TUCO
Michael ?Protector? Legerton president of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Association, said he was shaken by Pantin?s death.
Legerton said he met Pantin a few months ago and he seemed to be coming along fine.
?To say that I am shocked a little bit is an understatement. He was coming along very nicely,? Legerton said.
