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03-Aug-2006 :

Sharron caught my attention with a message she posted on Manicmalta about a month ago. She was urging "people of all abilites and ages" to meet her during her holiday in Malta and learn how to sing. This aroused my curiosity in learning what she had to offer and a few days later I got in touch with her to meet for a chat and a capuccino. Guess what?? She got me singing Gospel music in the cafe`!!

Sharron, even from our very brief encounter it is clear that you have a superb voice which can handle various musical styles. So why all this interest in Gospel music?

I started singing in a church choir in London in the formal anglican choral style I was part of the choir until 19 and we did sing some gospel spirituals. As part of that I had classical singing training. My first experience of gospel singing in Jamaica at the age of 12 was a total shock to the system-in fact I almost fainted! My cousin took me and my sister, not to a typical posh church with whitewashed walls, but to something which looked like a shack with a cross stuck to the zinc roof.

The pastor was a local farmer preaching in his farming clothes. He led us all in prayers for world peace, strength against sin, and local people, then, while he was preaching this humming started....people in the congregation were humming to themselves at first, then with time they were humming in harmonies, then someone would sing the odd line out loud for example "help us Lord!" I was looking around my mouth open completly stunned at all this spontaneity - I had been trained to be formal and to take my cue from a conductor.

When people started making their own songs up on the spot while others added harmonies I was blown away speechless then I joined in. I had heard gospel songs before (Aretha Franklin and Mahalia Jackson) but never experienced it happening live, the rawness, spontaneity, and the community - regardless of age, gender and status singing with seemingly one voice and supporting each others voices left a deep impression on me.

You are English by nationality but is your heart somewhere in Jamaica? Did your roots effect your singing?

I guess so. Most of my family have returned to Jamaica now, I was born and live in England but returning to Jamaica and being surrounded by my family and playing music together - theres nothing like it!! My dad was a trumpet and guitar player, my uncle used to play the hawaiian slide guitar and we used to have these 'jam sessions' after church on a Sunday. We had all types of music in our house, especially reggae but I don't have a reggae voice. For one, you need a Jamaican accent - which I don't have! but you really need to be born and grow up there. Your surroundings and influences affect your emotions and your tones.

How did you discover this passion for music?

Oh, I don't know exactly! All I know is I just cant imagine a life without it! A chance remark by one of my uncles gave me the confidence to take my singing seriously. I found an ex-music hall singer, Colin Forrest who taught for only 3 pounds an hour and taught everything, pop, opera, blues, sea shantys......we did'nt just sing together he would play stuff on an old gramaphone to encourage me to pick up tips off the singers, he also gave me an appreciation for musical theatre and broadway styles of singing. I formally studied Blues and Gospel singing for 2 years at Community Music in London.

And how did you discover this natural talent of helping people tap
into their singing potential?

On tour with Black Voices - a gospel singing group. As part of our contract we had to teach free workshops to the local people, and when numbers were especially large we would work in smaller groups. I learned a lot from Carol Pemberton who still leads Black Voices to this day. We would always use the 'Amen' Song as its only one word to sing on the harmonies (you might recall this Richard!!) and the verses are very simple. I found on tour that I really looked forward to the workshops, and it helps the participants to appreciate what goes into performance.

Gospel Music is raw, emotional and lends itself easily to either solo singing, group singing (when you add harmonies) and confidence-building games like call and response. I did a course in Teaching Singing workshops at Goldsmiths College. I have done vocal courses for Hackney Carers Association , Camden Womens Association, St Mungos and Il Covo in London.

Did you ever find singing talent in a person who was certain he
couldn't sing his way out of a paper bag?

Well YOU gave me a bit of a laugh!! The way you kept insisting that you could not sing is typical of the response I get! (Ed: Thanks for keeping things private!!) The short taster workshop we did at the cafe showed me that you can sing. You would be very good in a choir as you are note perfect and with confidence you would do very well doing the odd solo line as you have a pure sounding, yet emotional voice- I only wish I had taped you. My vocal workshops are called "Enjoy your Voice" and are open to everybody - particularly bathtub and shower singers!! First of all people say they cant sing - then they mimic note for note any line that you give them, then they say don't have a powerful voice yet they have no problem cheering their football team or yelling at the kids!!

The trouble is that we tend to associate singing with trained professionals these days - whereas in the past singing was a community and even family activity! I also had a drummer turn up to one of my workshops, dragged there by his girlfriend. He said to me "I don't sing - I bash things!!" It turned out that he had a very powerful gutsy raw voice, he was not note perfect, but when he sang off note it seemed to add the emotion of the song. By the end of the session he had sung for us a verse and chorus of the gospel song "Wade in the Water' and some of the other students were in tears. He got quite emotional himself and said it was the first time he had ever sung in public. At school they always made him stand at the back and told him to sing quietly.

You've been visiting these islands for 10 years! Did you make
interesting musical encounters here in Malta?

Yes. This time around I met a Peruvian pipe player and a Slovakian flautist busking on the streets in Valletta who had been invited over to do the "Streets Alive' festival. We all went to a jam session later that evening.

Any musical venue/event worth visiting in Malta?

I recommend that if you are into live music and spontaneity you should go to "The Naasha Lounge' under the church in San Gwann. The up and coming musicians of Malta play there as well as any passing musicians or touring bands. The audience are fantastic - they really show their appreciation and are friendly. They also have reggae, world and alternative music nights. Check out their website and become a member - that way they will keep you in touch with their events.

Can you describe a typical singing workshop?

I always start with a basic description of the singing anatomy - with diagrams. Its important for people to know how they make a sound and amplify it without damaging themselves. I then teach them the posture required for singing, with gentle physical warm-ups. Good posture transforms you from an ordinary human being into a musical instrument - very important concept. We then work on resonance, getting people to feel the sound through humming.

If you can feel the sound in the right parts of the face and mouth then you are using your body properly and will be heard clearly. We then open the mouth and throat to make sound whilst keeping the resonance. Then comes the brainwork - harmony and rhythm! We find out who has high low and middle voices and give each group a note. We then practice word games and rounds to help with rhythm and awarness of working as a group. When it all comes together and we are having a great time I then ask (brave) people to come forward to do solo lines.

And what was the largest workshop ever delivered?

At the opening of a day centre they wanted a taster singing workshop along with other courses they were offering such as head massage, crystal healing etc. The guy that was supposed to do it had to go to Italy suddenly and asked me to turn up in his place. He told me not to worry as it had not been advertised and there shouldnt be more than five people. When i entered the designated room upstairs 40 people were there who were just passing and had seen the class advertised on a poster outside.

What are your plans for your next Malta visit? Shall we see more
Gospel singing workshops?

I am planning to come for a weekend in October. Dissapointingly I did not get to teach this time around as I did not advertise properly. I have not come away empty handed though as I have found a venue to teach in and made better contacts for publicising my short courses

You're not a full time singer but you mentioned touring with Black
Voices and playing with several UK bands. Can you give us some more
details about this and other music contacts?

"Black Voices" are still going strong - check out their website at www.blackvoices.co.uk If you love acappella music and harmonies then order one of their CDs. I did not get to record with them-only tour so my voice is not featured. I am also a free-lance session singer. As for some of the other rock bands I have been in - well, haha you know what the business is like, splits due to music differences etc. My last band 'Herbal Remedy" (which describes their personal habits not mine) are having some success according to Alan the bass player. They are now called "Rehab" apparently and are currently on tour in the UK in an old white van which also doubles as their hotel. Sometimes I miss them.

Will you ever try to get signed with a record label?

Mmmmmm......... If what I'm doing is good enough they will come and find me! No, the future for me is to pick up my guitar (again) and go back to writing songs and try to find other like-minded spirits to form a Rock band. I am returning to school myself (Vocal Tech in London) to do a years course for professional musicians. I'm not a true gospel performer as though I believe in God I am no longer religious. I have received some flak for teaching the Gospel/Blues style but not attending church regularly enough.

I DO believe however that all music which epouses love and positivity whilst exploring the downsides of all human relationships is its own Gospel in a way - including rock music. I'm a diehard Jimi Hendrix fan, I also like Iron Maiden and Pink Floyd. True Rock singers blatantly use the gospel style, but they are able to reach a worldwide audience because they are relevant. That's my dream. That's where I want to be.

Thanks Sharron! Hope to have you back soon
Interview for Manicmalta.com by Richard Borg on 23-Jul-2006

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