Casablanca Steel Orchestra 2
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Captains

Oscar Pile (1922-2008)

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Oscar Emanuel Pile was the founding captain of Casablanca and a pioneer in the steelband movement. His vision created an organization of youths who made significant contributions to the transition from tamboo bamboo to steelpan. He was involved in all of the major developments of the instrument and of the movement. He was in the forefront of the launching of the first Steelband Association and was instrumental in the organization and development of steelbands in both Trinidad and Tobago.  His leadership especially during the era of conflict ridden days of the steelband was exemplary.

Baron Arrieta ( 1932-2014)

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Baron Arrieta (1932-2014), more popularly known as ‘Barong’ or  ‘Burro’, served as both Captain and Vice Captain of the band in the early 1960s.  He was a legendary leader whose fighting skills contributed to Casablanca’s reputation in the era of steelband internecine conflicts. He was respected among the parents of the area who willingly entrusted their young ones during Carnival to his care.  They were assured of their children's safe return to the hill. Arietta was also a footballer who played for some teams in the Port-of-Spain Intermediate Football League.

Laurie "Sugars" Miller (1933-)

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Laurie ‘Sugars’ Miller (b. 1933) was selected as Vice Captain because of his rapport with the second generation of the band and was an adept second pan (alto) player and the in-house welder. As Vice Captain during the sixties, he was both the rigorous drill-master and source of impish behaviour for fun loving youth players.  He was an accomplished sportsman who played basketball for Humming Birds and football for Colts.

Raymond "One Man" Mark (1935-)

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Raymond ‘One Man’ Mark has served as Captain of the band on numerous occasions since 1963. He became Captain with a well-deserved reputation as the defender of the band in its numerous skirmishes during the era of steelband conflict. He is well known for the mentoring of youths in their transition to adulthood.  Moreover drawing on his wide connections all over Trinidad he was able to attract skills and talents to the band from varied sources.  As Captain he has demonstrated his skills in organization building and infrastructural development.

Ellis "Baaow" Thorne (1936-2015)

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Ellis ‘Baaow’ Thorne (d. 2015) was part of the generation which reinvigorated the band after some players left to form City Syncopators because of complaints over Casablanca's involvement in various riots including the Belmont riot.  Baaow took a keen interest in member recruitment and mentored those youths who were interested in body building. He became captain in 1968  and under his leadership the band inaugurated the Pan Theatre.

Ainsley "Cripple" Bourne ( 1935- 2015)

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Ainsley ‘Cripple’ Bourne (b.1935) joined the band in 1950 and went on tour with the band on its second visit to British Guiana (Guyana) in 1954 as a second pan (alto) player. A committed and dedicated member he became Vice Captain in 1968. Ainsley displayed remarkable acting skills in the band’s production of the history of the steelband in the Pan Theatre.

Danny Serrant ( 1949-)

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Hailing from Maraval, Danny Serrant was Captain in the late 1970s. He was a member of the band since 1965.  Danny brought to his captaincy a determination to deepen the formal musical knowledge of the band following the classes conducted by Art de Coteau a renowned musical innovator. He is exceptionally skilled on the soprano and alto pans.  He currently teaches music in the New York school system.

Mickey Chandler ( 1942-2004)

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Leon ‘Mickey’ Chandler (1942-2004) was captain during a period of record accomplishments of the band. These achievements included winning at the Steelband Festival of 1982 and in the winners’ circle for Panorama (1983 and 1984). During his captaincy, the band also toured London, Atlanta, New York, Washington, Rome, Canada.

Tony Weekes (b. 1948-)

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Tony Weekes was a third generation Casablanca youth who grew up on the 42 steps on Oxford Street.  He developed his playing skills and leadership abilities during the 1960s.  Before he migrated to Canada, Tony served as Vice Captain during the 1970s when the band initiated the Pan Theatre.
Casablanca is one of the foundation steelbands of  Trinidad and Tobago.  Founded as Merry Boys in 1938, it emerged as the Casablanca Steelband Orchestra in 1945.

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Casablanca Steel Orchestra, Belmont Circular Road, Port-Of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago,West Indies



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