A 'music legend' was given a steel pan send off as family and friends gathered to say their final goodbyes.
Alfred 'Freddie' Totesaut was cremated at the West London Crematorium, in Kensal Green, on Friday (April 12) at a service attended by steel pan players he had taught over his lifetime.
The 83-year-old multi award-winning musician, who was born in Trinidad in 1940, died on March 24 having "inspired people to fly".
In an incredibly moving ceremony his son Aaron read a eulogy of "family memories".
A recording of The Voices of Spring performed by Freddie and his band Silver Steels Combo, was played as well as the musician's favourite hymn, How Great Thou Art.
As mourners emerged steel band players from Metronome played the hymn, A Little Oil In My Lamp and Sugar Bum Bum, a soca by Lord Kitchener.
Gradually they were joined by the St Michael & All Angels Steel Orchestra, where Freddie was the much-loved band master, tuner and arranger.
Among those who came to pay their respects were "Freddie's Angels", pan players, and those who knew him from his skill bring the bands to Notting Hill Carnival.
Eversley 'Breeze' Mills, manager of the Metronomes Steel Orchestra, said: "Freddie came to the Metronomes in 1977 when it was in a very bad way, there was a lot of upheaval.
"He built the band back up by building new pans. We helped him and he would tune the pans every Saturday morning.
"He taught me how to read music, to arrange, he was a mentor for a lot of people."
Metronome tenor Nicky Miller said Freddie was the arranger, the composer of Panorama competitions they entered.
"We used to win it with him back it the day. That's why we had to have drums at his funeral, he made a living with pans his whole life."
Roger Knight, 67, longest serving member of Metronome added: "Most of the time we won, Freddie arranged it."
Former pan player, Jacent Simmons, whose children play, said he was a "technical genius".
"The elders all looked after us. Band was and is a family, you have generations playing."
Paul Cameron, who was in Freddie's band Silver Steels and played with him on The Voices of Spring said: "He was a legend, he taught me to play the steel pans from the age of 16.
"We travelled all over London, played for politicians, royalty, weddings, he's amazing, second to none."
Jo Sheriff said: "I didn't play the pans but I'm fully aware of his musical gifts and the loved that he shared amongst his fellow music students.
"A lot of the people here today their lives are not owed to him but because of him their lives have become better. It's something that he will always be remembered for."
Betty Mirjah said how he transformed classical music "was amazing".
She added: "It shows you the love which was not only about playing pans but the love to transform it to that extent. It's a very sad day as there won't be anyone to
replicate that."
Also attending was Cyril Khamai, 93, global pan pioneer, and an inventor of steel pans who still performs with bands at carnival playing the scratch block.
Haroun Shah said: "Freddie gave so generously to all. Brent Council should be proud of his work, and Patrick McKay's, and should honour him for 30 years of building the lives and careers of youths, one of whom is my own daughter, who without meeting Freddie would have been a different person for sure."
Patrick McKay, co-ordinator of both SMAAA and the St Michael Youth Project, which Freddie was part of, said: "Teacher Freddie inspired people to fly, that is his true legacy. The love of pan is there but it's more than just pan."
Freddie's family are fundraising in his name for Barnardos. Visit alfredtotesaut.muchloved.com to donate.
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