​

Panist, Arranger, Composer, Recording Artist, Educator  and Band Leader Kenrick Headley, is one of the most respected and premiere Steelpan Virtuoso’s in Vancouver B.C. and the West Coast.  Hailing from the town of Tunapuna in Trinidad and Tobago, Kenrick has taken the cultural music of his ancestors and shared it across the world as a Steelpan leader and Pioneer.

 

Kenrick began playing steel pan at the tender age of 4 as  the Nightingale Steel Orchestra was a fixture in his family yard.  Kenrick and his brother Harold both learned very quickly to play the steelpan and began playing across Trinidad supporting local bands like Silhouettes, Gay Flamingos, Melodians and others to name a few.  Through some encouragement from his brother Harold and his future father in law (Papa Felau) Kenrick embarked on a tour with the famed Esso Tripoli Steelband that toured the Caribbean, USA and Canada from 1967-1972.

 

Kenrick was a vice captain and arranger for the Esso Tripoli Steelband who encored for her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret.  While on tour the band also appeared on many TV Shows including the Ed Sullivan Show with Liberace.  The band also performed with Della Reese, Frankie Avalon, Fifth Dimension and Dionne Warrick.  In 1972, the Esso Steelband was nominated for a Grammy.

 

Kenrick made his way to Vancouver and played in many shows including with Taj Mahal.  Kenrick settled in Vancouver and became a leader in the steelpan community.  He arranged for Trinidad Cavaliers, Coffee Dregs and other bands who played at local night clubs and community events sharing their love for steelpan music and its versatility.  With his current band Phase III, they have played for many Caribbean acts including The Mighty Sparrow, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, Calypsonian Crazy, Super Blue, Ronnie Macintosh, Machel Montano, Allison Hinds and many more.  The Phase III Steelband continues to push the envelope on steelpan music in Vancouver and you can see the members playing local and jamming at local festivals and events throughout  the summer.

 

Kenrick and his brother Harold arranged for Trinidad’s National Panorama Competition for many years.  Over the years they have arranged for American Stores Exodus, Trintoc Invaders, Birdsong Steel Orchestra, Hummingbird Pan Groove, Arima Angel Harps, and Tipica Steel Orchestra.

 

Kenrick continues to share his love of Steelpan with the community of Vancouver.  He established the Headley Pan School in 1980 and has continued to teach students both young and mature the beauty and joy of playing steelpan music.  Kenrick established a youth steelband and is looking to continue teaching others to share the beauty and culture of Trinidad and Tobago.

​