By Anthony Joseph

The sounds of steelpan and heartfelt reflections filled Tropicana Community Services in Scarborough as family, friends, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the life of Hameed Shaqq, affectionately known as “The Pan Piper”.

Born and raised in Arima, Trinidad and Tobago—a place whose indigenous name means “plenty water”—Shaqq’s lifelong journey brought his musical passion across oceans, highways, and neighbourhoods to become an enduring force in Toronto’s Caribbean community.

The evening’s host, Itah Sadu of the Blackhurst Community Centre, set the tone by reminding attendees of Shaqq’s pride in his roots and the indigenous people of Arima. “We have almost come full circle,” Sadu noted. “Hamid was always reminding us of our role and rightful place in society.”

Hameed Shaqq was known as much for his joyful demeanor as for his activism. “I never saw Hamid angry,” Sadu continued. “If he protested, it was because he was bringing us knowledge and history.”

As Ras Foundation’s drumming echoed throughout the hall, many in attendance paused in reverence. “The drum was speaking not just to the ear, but to the heart that beats,” said Sadu. Attendees were invited to share memories and pay tribute to Shaqq’s numerous roles: pioneer, musician, father, friend, educator, and proud wearer of tall hats.

Wendy Jones of Pan Fantasy Steel Band reflected on her first encounter with Shaqq in the late 1970s. “He stood against the wall waiting for band members, and I was introduced to ‘Hamid from Trinidad, Solo Harmonites,’” she recalled. “From then on, he was our big brother and mentor.”

A man of deep spirituality, Shaqq was remembered as someone who crossed religious and cultural divides with grace. “We never argued religion,” Jones shared. “Hamid stood tall among us all and respected every faith.”

Family members also spoke movingly. Sister in law Levi recalled meeting Shaqq in Trinidad as a child. “He was like my father,” she said. “He introduced me to a peaceful way of living and was always there for us.”

Francis Jeffers of Vision of Science paid tribute to Shaqq’s intellectual curiosity and advocacy for pan. “We had long talks about the metallurgy and physics of pan making,” Jeffers recounted. “He dreamed of a day when Canada would have a steelpan manufacturing industry to create opportunities for young Black youth.”

Shaqq’s efforts were not only artistic but also political. In his lifetime, he petitioned for Trinidad and Tobago to recognize the steelpan as a national heritage instrument and was overjoyed when that milestone was achieved. His determination also played a role in the establishment of International Steel Pan Day.

Attendees stood for a minute’s applause to honour Shaqq’s relentless spirit. “Some probably thought he was crazy, but he lived to see many of his visions realized,” Jeffers said.

Other speakers, including longtime friends and community leaders, shared humorous and poignant stories, including Shaqq’s legendary protests for a personal cheque dispute, to his reputation as the “Pied Piper of Pan.”

The community was united in acknowledging Hameed Shaqq’s: a man who embodied joy, education, activism, and the transformative power of steelpan.

As Sojourner Sandy, one of his students, aptly summed up, “Hamid didn’t just play steelpan. He was steelpan.”

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