Born: December 6, 1947 Primary Instrument: Drums, steel
Clyde 'Lightning' George is the pan king of straight ahead jazz. He grew up in the same place, Laventille, and same time as the steelpan. His high caliber of musicianship, his vast repertoire and his natural rhythm solidify his passion for jazz with a Caribbean flare. Lightning moved to Chicago in 1978 following his marriage to a lovely lady from Wilmette, Illinois. He joined in jazz jams around the city. He amazed both musicians and audiences with his execution of the steelpan in a jazz setting. From Chicago jazz jams emerged his quartet, STEELIN JAZZ. These very talented artists.blend vintage calypso with the great classics of American jazz. He is one of a few steelpan players that loves to jam jazz with other professionals. In Chicago he is known as “Thelonius Clyde” for his love of the music of Thelonius Monk. In Trinidad he is known as “Lightning” This name was given to him by Bertie Marshall because Bertie saw how quickly Clyde learnt the music.
Lightning has performed at numerous festivals in Chicago, Trinidad, Montreal, Amsterdam, Athens, St. Louis, Santa Cruz and more. Besides appearing on other artists' recordings, “Lightning” has also released four albums of his own. “A Tribute to the Masters ” Sir Bertie” is a tribute to Bertie Marshall with “Crazy” in which several Lord Kitchener’s songs and one by “Joker” are presented in a loving manner. “Lightning Strikes the Heartland” is a “Steelin’Jazz” trio album (with Biskas and pianist Brian O’Hern) that covers the gamut from jazz (“Perdido,” “Round Midnight,” “Scrapple From the Apple”)” to calypso (“Mosquito,” “Mystery Band”) to standards (“Softly as In a Morning Sunrise”) to pop (“The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” “Who Let the Dogs Out”) - and does it in a manner that is never less than entertaining. George also recorded a Christmas album with this group called “A Tropical Christmas” featuring traditional Christmas tunes and one Trinidadian Christmas tune by Kitchener. Finally, “Steelin’ the Night” is a live jam session at Chambers led by bassist John Bany and featuring George Bean on trumpet, Don Stille on piano and accordion, John Young on piano, and Jeff Stitley on drums. Wonderfully played versions of classics like “Jordu,” “Song for My Father” and yes, the “Girl from Ipanema” are enhanced by “Lightning’s” masterful pan work and incredible sense of melody.
Lightning along with his wife, Cathy, has founded the Diego Martin Pan institute. Here they welcome guests from around the world to their 5 bedroom guesthouse. They offer a wide range of classes, seminars and concerts in the lovely backyard venue they created.
