St. John's steelpan playing ambassador-at-large Victor Provost is back at his regular Caneel Bay gig taking bows after 12 days of performing at the famed Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy.
Provost, just a year out of high school, was the first pan player ever to perform in the 27 years of the Umbria fest. His poise and musical acumen were rewarded with applause and appreciation by rapt audiences of jazz lovers who were for the most part hearing steelpan for the first time.
Reflecting on the Umbria events, Provost said the two most memorable experiences he had at the festival were hearing legendary vibraharpist Milt Jackson play, accompanied by the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and enjoying the camaraderie among so many great artists of the jazz genre.
The groups that preceded and followed Provost on the stand in the Piazza Novembre and onstage at the Teatro Pavonne were clearly impressed with his musical prowess and were generous with their praise.
As the celebrated jazz violinist Johnny Frigo was about to step onstage following a performance by Provost, I asked what he thought of the young Virgin Islander. Frigo, who had been listening intently to the steelpan playing, responded in one word: "Marvelous!"
That brought a smile to my face immediately — and to Victor's not long after, when I related the comment to him during a break between sets.
His local fans have a couple more weeks to catch his performances at Caneel before he heads off to Pittsburgh to continue his college studies.