Before Peter Nelson came to Minneapolis from his native Trinidad in 1971, reggae music was rarely played in any Twin Cities nightclub-much less in the rock clubs where it prospered under his leadership.

Nelson, 59, died early Saturday morning of a heart attack just hours after performing at a Duluth nightclub with his group, Shangoya.

As the band's leader for 31 years, Nelson helped introduce reggae, calypso and other Caribbean sounds in such Twin Cities venues as the Cabooze and First Avenue. A who's who of local musicians were reared in Shangoya, including folk/rock singer Peter Himmelman, Ipso Facto frontman Wain McFarlane and Mint Condition singer/drummer Stokley Williams.

"He opened the doors for Caribbean music and for black musicians in general," said fellow Trinidad native Tony Paul, a radio host on KFAI-FM and part-time member of Shangoya.

In recent years, Nelson became a figurehead for a new wave of Caribbean and African immigrants who hoped to follow his lead on the local music scene. Nelson's disdain for racial barriers was exemplified by his inclusion of Himmelman, a white teenager, in Shangoya in the late 1970s.

"I was this Jewish kid from St. Louis Park, but he brought me into their culture with open arms," said Himmelman, who recalled Nelson as an "elegant, handsome sort of guy who just dripped charisma."

"I took a lot of my stage cues from him," Himmelman said.

Paul remembered Nelson's easy laugh and his trademark greeting, "Wha-penin'," a Caribbean-style take on, "What's happening."

Nelson was born Aldric Peter Nelson in Trinidad in 1945. He started performing in his native country in a group called the Southern Gestures. He came to the United States to become a medical technician.

By 1972, Nelson also was making a living with Shangoya, in which he sang and played saxophone, drums and lots more. The group went on to release five albums and open for the likes of Peter Tosh, Burning Spear and even British punk legend the Clash.

"People are much more aware and knowledgeable about world music today, and Shangoya has been a big influence in the tri-state area and beyond," Nelson told the Pulse of the Twin Cities weekly newspaper before Shangoya's 30th anniversary show last year.

Nelson's survivors include his wife, Mary Erickson-Nelson, and several children.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, and the funeral is 1 p.m. Friday, both at Park Avenue United Methodist Church, 3400 Park Ave. S., Minneapolis.

A musical tribute to Nelson is planned for June 6 at the Cabooze, 917 Cedar Av. S., Minneapolis.

Concert promoter Jeff Taube said it will feature "basically anyone in the local reggae scene who has been touched by Nelson."

"Which is virtually everyone," Taube added.