LAST Friday the Swallowfield Chapel in St Andrew echoed the glowing tributes paid to veteran musician Filberto “Fil” Callender as speaker after speaker paid tribute to the drummer, guitarist, vocalist and arranger at the thanksgiving service to celebrate his life.

The Panamanian-born Callender died on May 27 after a brief illness. He came to Jamaica in the late 1950s with his parents, fleeing the civil uprisings in that country, and settled in the Molynes Road area of St Andrew. His innate talent as a drummer was unearthed and by 1968 he was the resident drummer at the famed Studio One recording studio, contributing to some of the most iconic music from reggae’s burgeoning years including The Abyssinnians classic, Satta Massagana.

In paying tribute, music producer Cleveland “Clevie” Browne recalled Callender’s infectious and disarming smile and his passion for the music.

Browne shared that after Callender left Studio One he went on to form The In Crowd band.

“In 1977 In Crowd had the hit We Play Reggae, which was a massive hit in the UK. Reggae was Fil’s favourite genre and this song was written as a testament. In 1978 they released the album Back A Yaad, which was another big hit in the UK, and the single His Majesty is Coming also did well.”

Browne then joined members of The In Crowd as well as renowned musicians Robbie Lyn, Vivian Scott and Frankie Campbell for a musical tribute featuring a medley of some of the songs on which Callender played, including Doreen Schaefer’s Try a Little Smile, Satta Massagana, Rain from the Skies by Delroy Wilson and Beres Hammond’s Say Goodbye.

Lyn also paid tribute to his late colleague, recalling their early days.

“We go way back. We grew up together, had the same dreams about music as youngsters, and bonded even more as adults. His home was HQ for us as youngsters. He inspired me so much with what he was doing at Studio One and I have to thank him for leading the way. If it wasn’t for Fil I wouldn’t have gotten the start with the music which has taken me to where I am today.”

Veteran musician Boris Gardiner also shared his reflection on the musician.

“I met Fil in 1968 when Coxsone [Clement Dodd] asked me to join the Studio One band. Fil was the drummer, and Jackie Mittoo was on piano and organ. He was a solid drummer. Even though he wasn’t born here, he made Jamaica his home. Your name will live on in the archives of Jamaican music forever,” Gardiner said in a recorded tribute.

In eulogising her father, Callender’s daughter Chrissy noted that it was a privilege and honour to be raised by the man being celebrated.

“We could not ask for more from a father; what he did will last for eternity. He protected and doted on us, did silly things to make us laugh, and I was attached to my father from day one. He was the consummate family man. We were never in doubt about what daddy stood for — there were standards in our house,” She noted.

Callender is survived by widow Olive, three daughters, and two grandchildren.