Odie Franklin
Odie Franklin began playing pan in 1997 with Despers USA under the captaincy of his father Clement Franklin and the arrangements of Denzel Boutus and Scipio “Sarge” Sargeant. He began arranging for Despers USA’s stage side in 2008 alongside arrangers such as Wilfred Kieal Sr., Pedro Alexander, and Clement Franklin. Odie began arranging for Panorama in 2011, in which he placed 5th, and went on to win his first Panorama championship with Despers USA in 2018.
He has also worked alongside Kendall Williams and Marc Brooks for the band Brooklyn Steel Orchestra, which placed fourth in the first ever International Panorama Competition held in Trinidad and Tobago. Odie Franklin began his musical education at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) and has chosen to continue at Brooklyn College. His musical influences range from Clive Bradley, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and Eddie Quarless to Robbie Greenidge.