Dr. Leon “Smooth” Edwards is celebrated both locally and internationally as a virtuoso steelband arranger, dedicated educator, and ambassador of the steelpan. Born in 1952 on Cleaver Lane, off St. Joseph Road, East Port of Spain, Edwards’ early years were deeply influenced by his musical surroundings, igniting a lifelong passion for Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument.
Edwards attended Queen’s Royal College (QRC) from 1964 to 1969, demonstrating academic capability particularly in mathematics, his favourite subject. Despite academic demands, his passion for the steelpan flourished secretly as he would sneak away on evenings to the panyard, often unknown to his mother. In 1968, at the age of 16, he officially joined the Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra, quickly ascending through various roles — from roadside to stage side player, eventually becoming the band’s lead arranger in 1976. His talent and innovative arrangements catapulted Trinidad All Stars to unprecedented success, earning their first Panorama victory under his guidance with ‘Woman on the Bass’ in 1980. This landmark win initiated a series of historic achievements, making him the arranger with the most Panorama victories — ten championships in all — over a remarkable career spanning decades, with top-three placements an impressive twenty-six times. His 1985 arrangement of ‘Curry Tabanca’ was notably groundbreaking as the first Panorama piece to incorporate the tassa drum.
In 1989, Edwards relocated to the United States, contributing significantly to the steelpan culture there. He served as Musical Director at the Cultural Academy for Excellence in Maryland, lectured on the global significance of the steelpan, and founded several youth steelbands, thus fostering international appreciation of the instrument. Returning to Trinidad in 2002, Edwards continued his winning legacy with Trinidad All Stars, claiming additional Panaroma victories in 2002, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, and most recently, an unprecedented tenth title in 2024, forty-four years after his first – a feat not accomplished by any other arranger in the history of the competition.
In academia, Edwards has profoundly impacted steelpan education at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, where he joined as Programme Leader and Instructor in 2010. He developed and taught the Certificate in Pan and Music Literacy and coordinated the Pan Tuning programme. His significant contributions led to his appointment as Professor in Practice in 2023, reflecting his stature in the academic and artistic community. His distinguished career earned him numerous accolades, notably the Sunshine Awards Hall of Fame induction and the conferral of the degree of Doctor of Fine Arts (Honoris Causa) from the University of Trinidad and Tobago in 2024, further solidifying his legacy as an icon of Trinidad and Tobago culture.
The Queen’s Royal College Old Boys’ Association celebrates Hall of Honour Inductee Dr. Leon “Smooth” Edwards – a pioneering steelpan arranger and educator whose unmatched Panorama legacy and global advocacy elevated Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument to international acclaim.