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The funeral service for “boots” will be held on Saturday April 7th 2007 at the Tornadoes Pan-yard from 2pm. EULOGY FOR EARL BOOTS JONES April 2, 2007
God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things! Boots used the talent and gift given to him by God which was not only pleasing to God but also to man.
Born on 12th July 1947 in Pointe Fertin, Trinidad, the first child of Ruth Dava and Emanuel Jones, it is believed that he was born with music in his soul and especially for the steel pan. Upon leaving school he joined a pan yard to learn to make, tune and to teach steel pan. He later became a member of the Dunlop Tornadoes Steel Pan Band, where his passion for the pan was nurtured and continued to grow. It is felt that what he received through his involvement and passion for the Trinidad Tornadoes was the inspiration for his creation of the St. Kitts Tornado Steel Band comprising of 20-25 girls and boys ranging in ages from 8 to 12 years. In 1976, under the management of Mellie Hewlett, the then St. Kitts Coca Cola Steel Band (now known as the Coronets Steel Orchestra), arranged for Boots to come to St. Kitts to make and tune pans for the group. He traveled back and forth between Trinidad and St. Kitts until he ultimately decided to remain in St. Kitts. When word reached the outer regions that a Trinidad pan maker resided in St. Kitts, he received contacts and contracts to make and tune pans in St. Maarten, Montserrat, St. Thomas and Statia. Boots joined with Coca Cola and toured with them to Vancouver and Toronto, Canada and Washington, D.C. and while in Washington played for Ronald Regan, former President of the United States of America. In 1977, while living on Durant Avenue in the Queeley family apartment, the family grew close and eventually "adopted" him. Mrs. Queeley, called Mama by the family and neighborhood children, became his second mother. To the neighborhood kids he became their Uncle Boots, and they spent many hours hanging out with him in his small apartment. According to close friend Juliet, a Queeley sibling, he was a very quiet and peaceful man with a love for children. He was not only their uncle, but a mentor who was concerned with their education and private concerns as well as their pan life. He was a disciplinarian in that he set standards as to their dress when attending pan practice, and their promptness and absenteeism. He never hesitated to contact parents when the children missed too many practices, and checked on them when it was exam time in school. Consequently he was highly respected by the children and parents alike. Juliet says that when her daughter (who also plays in SKNSO) was with Boots, she was never concerned as she knew her daughter was in a safe haven. She further recalls, that through his love for the pan, he organized a small band which played at private parties and in some of the St. Kitts hotels. In 1993, with the assistance of two Trinidadian pan tutors and the Haynes Smith Youth Club, the well-known PanSkan was formed. PanSkan, which catered to children and adults, has been held every summer from 1994 to 2006, under his supervision and with local tutors. It should be noted here that his dedication to PanSkan was a result of his love for the children and his passion for teaching of the pan. Personal financial gains were not on his agenda. As a result of the first successful PanSkan and the enthusiasm of the participants, in 1994 the Texaco Rhythmz all female steel band was formed, which comprised of 25-30 young and not so young ladies. Financial support was provided by Texaco West Indies for several years thereafter. The first band house for the Rhythmz was an old, leaky wooden building in St. Johnston Village, which he tried to patch up to protect the pans from the rain. It was not unusual for Pans to be moved around when new leaks appeared in the roof. In spite of the discomfort and inconvenience, it did not deter the ladies from becoming an outstanding band. Invitations were received and weekly engagements resulted at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel and Fishermans Wharf, with engagements on an annual basis by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and Foundation for National Development Dinner and the annual St. Kitts Open Golf Tournament over the Whitsun Tide weekend. Boots was instrumental in negotiating and seeing to the erection of a new wall band house on the site of the old Cotton House in LaGuerite. His commitment in keeping the band house in St. Johnston Village was a testament to the respect he gave and received from the community. In 1995, at the birth of his daughter Shaki, whom he treasured, another panist was born. Shaki started coming to band practice around the age of 4-5 years old, and became "our child". Boots was always teased about the many clips in her hair, and his response was "don''t you worry - her hair will grow." She was her father''s child, and at twelve years old, she was also a member of the Tornado Steel Band. In 1996, Boots, Texaco Rhythmz and Mellie Hewlett received the opportunity to travel to Dallas, Texas to participate in the City of Dallas International Fair. This Opportunity was provided through the efforts of Jacinth Henry-Martin, the then Minister of Tourist, Culture and Sports, a former Peace Corp worker from Dallas who had heard the Rhythmz and also served on the organizing committee on her return to Dallas. of the Affair. Following a week''s stay, the band returned home; while Boots and Mellie stayed on to conduct a pan workshop for the children of Dallas. To the younger members of the Rhythmz, Boots was a father figure and believed in the motto - "We Not I". He emphasized the need to love all music and taught in his unique style with the use of cassettes and variations to well-known songs. He continually encouraged us to "dance with the pan" and his demonstration always brought laughter when he demonstrated using only his shoulders. His favourite expression to the girls was "you know its you I love, not another". When we did not get or forget a song, another of his favourite expressions was "don''t let me box you in your ear." Boots was also a fairly good golfer, a game he loved with a passion, but his passion for pan was greater, and took precedence over golf. He was on the golf course as often as possible and participated in the monthly tournaments when time permitted. He and Trevor "Jimmy" Levine formed a close friendship and often played together. When not playing golf, he would often visit Jimmy at home. Whenever Jimmy was to travel to Trinidad Boots always requested that he bring back as many Trinidad papers as possible. I suppose it bears witness to the fact that you can take the man out of the country, but not the country out of the man! Many good, young male and female pan players have surfaced through Boots love, dedication and teaching of youth. SKNSO (St. Kitts National Steel Orchestra) which comprises approximately 35 members, has performed for the past three years at the Opening and closing of the St. Kitts Open Golf Tournament, as well as participating in other activities and events in St. Kitts. The formation of the Tornado Steel Orchestra has encompassed the younger generation. Up to the time of his sudden death, Boots was the pan instructor at Verchild''s High School, but he has also instructed students at Convent and Dr. William Connor primary school. Boots'' talents were not limited to just pan and golf, but many will attest to his being an excellent cook. His pig snout and dumplings was a dish unequalled. During the recent ICC World Cup, he worked with Peter Sage in the preparation of tasty Caribbean cuisine. He was a man who loved the simple things - one being crackers. More often than not you would find him with a bag of crackers in hand or in his car. The Federation has been blessed to have a man like Earl "Boots" Jones who chose St. Kitts in which to give of himself and share his God given talents and skills. Boots was a man of inner strength, integrity, love, commitment and dedication which can never be questioned, and will be difficult to duplicate. Although God has called him Home, his spirit and memory will remain with us always. All of us, whose lives he has impacted in one way or another say thank you, Boots Jones. You have helped to make us better people for knowing you. May we never forget to live your motto - We Not I. May Your Soul Rest In Peace.
God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things! Boots used the talent and gift given to him by God which was not only pleasing to God, but also to man. Born on 12th. July 1947 in Point Fortin, Trinidad. Son of Emmanuel Jones and Ruth Davidson. It is believed that he was born with music in his soul and especially for the steel pan. Upon leaving school, he joined a pan yard to learn to make tune and to teach steel pan. He later became a member of Dunlop Tornadoes Steel Pan Band, where his passion for the pan nurtured and continued to grow. IT is felt that what he received through his involvement and passion for the Trinidad Tornadoes was a catalysis for his creation of the St Kitts Tornado Steel Band comprising of 20-25 girls and Boys ranging in the ages from 8 to 12 years. In 1976, under management of Mellie Hewlett, the then St. Kitts coca Cola Steel Band (now known as Coronets Steel Orchestra), arranged for Boots to come to St Kitts to make and tune pan for the group. He traveled back and forth to Trinidad until he finally decided to stay in St. Kitts, he received contacts to make and tune pans in St. Maarten, Montserrat, St Thomas and Statia. Boots joined with Coca Cola and toured with them to Vancouver and Toronto, Canada and Washington, DC and While in Washington played for Ronald Regan, a former President of the United States of America. In 1977, while living on Durant avenue in the queenly family apartment the family grew close and eventually adopted him. Mrs. Queenley, called mama by family and neighbourhood kids he became Uncle Boots, and spent many hours hanging out with them. According to close friend, Juliet a Queenley sibling, he was a very quiet and peaceful man with a love for children. He was not only their uncle but also a mentor who was concerned with their education, private concerns as well as their pan life. In 1955, with the birth of his third daughter Shaki, whom he treasured, another panist was born. Shaki started attending band practice around age 4-5. At age 12 she joined the Tornado Steel Band Boots loved Golf but his involvement in Golf was not limited to the golf course only. The St Kitts national Steel Orchestra, SKNSO which comprises of approximately 35 members, performed over the last three years at the opening and closing of St Kitts Open Golf Tournament. Up to the time of his sudden death, Boots was the pan instructor at Verchilds High School, but has also instructed students at Convent and Dr William Connor Primary school. The Federation has been blessed to have a man like Earl “Boots” Jones who chose St Kitts in which to give of himself and share his God given talents and skills. Boots was man of inner strength, integrity, love, commitment and dedication which can never be questioned, and will be difficult to duplicate. Although God has called him Home, his spirit and memory will remain with us always. All of us whose lives he has impacted on in one way or another say Thank You Boots Jones. You have helped to make us better people for knowing you . We will never forget to live your moto –We Not I. Boots leaves to mourn, his Father, mother, adopted mothers, daughters; Nicole, Ashaki, Shaquila and 4 grand children. Brothers- Albert Joey, Ronald, Glen dave, Bert, Garvin, Damion,Kester. Sisters- Esther, Jemma, Judith, Carol, Joy, Shelly, Lisa Leonie and 30+ nieces and nephews.
Memorial service held for 'Boots' Tuesday April 03 2007 The local steel pan fraternity remembered the life and contributions to the steel pan art form made by the late Earl Jones yesterday during a memorial service held at the Patsy Allers Playing Field. “Boots” as he was affectionately known died on Tuesday while at his home in Camps Village. Hundreds congregated under the tents, which were erected on the field, where several paid their last respects to the steel pan legend who migrated from Trinidad to St. Kitts in the early 70’s. Several individuals and groups who gained inspiration from, were taught by or performed alongside, in a fitting send off, rendered several pan selections. These groups and individuals included Melvin “Melly” Hewlett, Minister of Health, Rupert Herbert, tornado Steel Pan, Texaco Rhythms, Verchilds High School Steel Pan Group and the Silver Stars. Other tributes were given by Joseph Hodge, the Air and Sea Port Staff the staff of the Verchilds High School , Vincent Morton and a parent of the St. Kitts Nevis Steel Orchestra. His eulogy was read by Desdemona Henry while the “Words to Honour God” were brought forth by Pastor of the Antioch Baptist Church, Lincoln Connor. While he body was being loaded in the awaiting hearse, Boots’ very own steel orchestra, the St. Kitts Nevis Steel Orchestra played him a melody. “Boots” will leave the island on Wednesday where he will be taken to his homeland Trinidad, where he will be laid to rest. He is not longer on the land of the living but has left here a legacy, one that, according to many, “will live on for many many years to come.”
A tribute to Earle
‘Boots’ Jones, popular steel pan player, tuner and teacher, who died
here suddenly at his home in Camps Village on Tuesday of this week,
March 27, 2007.
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