When a man is able to grasp and retain the attention of his audience, often leaving goose bumps as they thrill to the power of his instrument as it caresses their soul, you know he is destined for greatness. Picture the musical dexterity of Dean Fraser or Kenny G reincarnated with youthful zest – this is Verlando Small, the 23- year-old saxophonist who went down in history as the first instrumentalist to enter and win the Digicel Rising Stars Competition.
With what he says is an innate passion for music, Small explained that as a child he was always fascinated by noise and tried to mimic the sounds he heard, “Stop the noise nuh pickney, you jus a lick everyting yuh see,” he recalled this as one of the comments from his aunts and cousins. It all started in Gade 7 at Eltham High School when Small was introduced to his first instrument, the recorder. That same year he went to the JCDC Festival and was captivated by the talent of saxophonist Dwayne Foster from Charlemont High. “I was in awe!! I would do anything to play like him”, Verlando exclaimed. Later he transferred to Charlemont and enrolled immediately in the music programme – this was another step closer to his destiny. Initially he was daunted by the buttons of the sax and its many techniques. He therefore tried other instruments to satisfy his appetite for music, dabbling with the keyboard, drums and a number of other instruments but he returned to the challenging saxophone, his first love.
With lots of practice, persistence and passion, he quickly mastered the art of playing the instrument. Small recounted his first public performance where he played at General Devotion on the first day of his high school’s second term, “I was so nervous the morning because I was afraid to perform in front of people, I was just anxious to deliver a good performance”, he remarked. His peers and teachers were definitely impressed by his ability to play the saxophone, especially his teacher, Nigel Powell (sibling of Olympian Asafa Powell). “When you impress Mr. Powell you know that you are good,” emphasized Small and so he continued on this path with Mr.Powell’s motivation.
Though Small prefers the sax, he sings pretty well, too: “I know I can sing but I don’t think of myself as a singer” he said. He recalls winning a JCDC award for his vocal entry as opposed to playing the sax which made him quite disgruntled. From then on he decided to do less singing in order to perfect his sax playing skill.
He credits his Mum as his main cheerleader and motivator, “Love mummy like cook food” he states. She is a determined woman and to this day is the wind beneath his wings. Hardships plagued his growing-up: Small did not have a stable home and sometimes no food to eat. Definitely not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he remained resilient and unperturbed by his circumstances. Music, he says is his escape, his source of venting about the challenges of his life, “I try not to show what’s happening I just internalize it and let it out in my music”.
Small sets high standards and always tries to exceed people’s expectations. Matriculating in a Geology course at the University of West Indies, (UWI) was a testimony of faith as he desired tertiary education but was uncertain of the source of funds. Small’s involvement in the UWI Pop Society gave him most of the experience he had going into that competition. He graduated last December and decided to focus on his passion, the sax. The next cycle of Digicel Rising Stars was approaching and entry was a must – his mind-set was to win against all odds. Verlando’s name soon was on the tips of many tongues as “the man who plays the blow blow”. Small discloses that his strategy for winning was rooted in his attributes: humility and professionalism. He loses himself in his performances and meditates to the point of complete serenity.
With the mantra, “Do it like you are never going to get to do it again”, he channels the inspiration from classics done by Kirk Whalum, Kenny G and Junior Walker in order to be the best saxophonist the world will see. His congenial personality, ambitious nature and passion for music are already aspects of honing his craft and attaining more acclaim. Digicel Rising Stars has given him the exposure and experience that many musicians crave, “ I was catapulted into the hearts and minds of many due to the show; you have people who try for years and never get this opportunity and for that I am grateful.” Small is bombarded by his female fans requesting him to blow… his saxophone. He is eager to please them and a wider audience at any cost as he continues to move towards legendary status.
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When a man is able to grasp and retain the attention of his audience, often leaving goose bumps as they thrill to the power of his instrument as it caresses their soul, you know he is destined for greatness. Picture the musical dexterity of Dean Fraser or Kenny G reincarnated with youthful zest – this is Verlando Small, the 23- year-old saxophonist who went down in history as the first instrumentalist to enter and win the Digicel Rising Stars Competition.
With what he says is an innate passion for music, Small explained that as a child he was always fascinated by noise and tried to mimic the sounds he heard, “Stop the noise nuh pickney, you jus a lick everyting yuh see,” he recalled this as one of the comments from his aunts and cousins. It all started in Gade 7 at Eltham High School when Small was introduced to his first instrument, the recorder. That same year he went to the JCDC Festival and was captivated by the talent of saxophonist Dwayne Foster from Charlemont High. “I was in awe!! I would do anything to play like him”, Verlando exclaimed. Later he transferred to Charlemont and enrolled immediately in the music programme – this was another step closer to his destiny. Initially he was daunted by the buttons of the sax and its many techniques. He therefore tried other instruments to satisfy his appetite for music, dabbling with the keyboard, drums and a number of other instruments but he returned to the challenging saxophone, his first love.
Though Small prefers the sax, he sings pretty well, too: “I know I can sing but I don’t think of myself as a singer” he said. He recalls winning a JCDC award for his vocal entry as opposed to playing the sax which made him quite disgruntled. From then on he decided to do less singing in order to perfect his sax playing skill.
He credits his Mum as his main cheerleader and motivator, “Love mummy like cook food” he states. She is a determined woman and to this day is the wind beneath his wings. Hardships plagued his growing-up: Small did not have a stable home and sometimes no food to eat. Definitely not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he remained resilient and unperturbed by his circumstances. Music, he says is his escape, his source of venting about the challenges of his life, “I try not to show what’s happening I just internalize it and let it out in my music”.
Small sets high standards and always tries to exceed people’s expectations. Matriculating in a Geology course at the University of West Indies, (UWI) was a testimony of faith as he desired tertiary education but was uncertain of the source of funds. Small’s involvement in the UWI Pop Society gave him most of the experience he had going into that competition. He graduated last December and decided to focus on his passion, the sax. The next cycle of Digicel Rising Stars was approaching and entry was a must – his mind-set was to win against all odds. Verlando’s name soon was on the tips of many tongues as “the man who plays the blow blow”. Small discloses that his strategy for winning was rooted in his attributes: humility and professionalism. He loses himself in his performances and meditates to the point of complete serenity.
With the mantra, “Do it like you are never going to get to do it again”, he channels the inspiration from classics done by Kirk Whalum, Kenny G and Junior Walker in order to be the best saxophonist the world will see. His congenial personality, ambitious nature and passion for music are already aspects of honing his craft and attaining more acclaim. Digicel Rising Stars has given him the exposure and experience that many musicians crave, “ I was catapulted into the hearts and minds of many due to the show; you have people who try for years and never get this opportunity and for that I am grateful.” Small is bombarded by his female fans requesting him to blow… his saxophone. He is eager to please them and a wider audience at any cost as he continues to move towards legendary status.
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