ONE would not, at first glance, know that Roy Stewart is blind in both eyes, given his normal effervescent personality and his fantastic ability to “blend in very well”.
The musical talent of this extraordinary 27-year-old is way beyond extraordinary. He plays the saxophone in a manner that would make Ace Cannon one of his disciples; his silky voice can charm a riled up rattlesnake; and were Elvis Presley alive, he would certainly have commended Roy Stewart for the way he can make the guitar “talk”. Added to that, Roy Stewart’s ability to play the keyboard can only be called phenomenal. Amazingly, Roy Stewart acquired his musical expertise from the little practice sessions he had had sometime ago.
The talented songbird Roy Stewart
I was riveted by Stewart’s melodious voice when I happened to hear him perform while playing his saxophone, and I must admit I was awestruck.
He told me he began playing the saxophone after he learned to play on a makeshift one made out of coconut branches that was loaned to him by a friend. Fascinated by the music that flowed from the makeshift saxophone, he decided to pursue mastery of the saxophone.
Stewart said he worked tirelessly washing dishes, and amassed some money which he used to purchase his very first saxophone. He still owns that instrument today, and carries it around like his life’s partner.
Stewart disclosed that he began singing in the Seventh Day Adventist children’s choir, named the happy Song Singers, at the tender age of six; then, as he grew, he sang in the youth group choir, called the “Redeemed”.
Guyanese-born but Surinamese-bred, Stewart left Guyana when he was just one year old, and spent 21 years in the Dutch-speaking country, before returning here six years ago. He now resides with his family in Plum Park, Sophia, Greater Georgetown.
Stewart said he has not limited himself as a blind person diagnosed with macular degeneration in both eyes four years ago — an illness he was born with; but is pursuing studies in Psychology at the University of Southern Caribbean branch located in Queenstown, Georgetown.
Stewart says he can see general outlines, but it is impossible for him to give details, since that requires special spectacles, which he acquired four years ago and would wear whenever the need arises.
Stewart told the Guyana Chronicle that he was born into a music family “so to speak”, and it was quite natural for him to get into singing, which he does at funerals, weddings, parties and at any other event to which he is invited to perform.
He was more involved in music in Suriname than in Guyana, since he would have spent his teenage years there and the exposure was good, given his love for music; but he says he is more in love with the greatest historian, Jesus.
Stewart told this publication that his life is very structured, and everything he does can be beneficial to himself and those around him, since his motto is “Believe in each one, reach one”.
He said he launched his gospel album, “Miracle”, with 10 songs, which are instrumental songs geared towards inspiring youths. The album, he disclosed, was well received locally and is available only at Matt’s Record Bar and at the Guyana Conference of Seventh Day Adventists, located at Peter Rose and Lance Gibbs Streets in Queenstown, Georgetown.
His broken home past has not affected him in any way, because he has long reconciled himself to the fact that his parents are no longer together. They have, however, managed to maintain a close relationship, which has morphed into a very close-knit family setting.
Stewart is an inspirational speaker. He said he always strives to be different, and often reminds himself that he is the change he wants to see, and that has motivated him to achieve things in life and develop himself.
Being blind does not deter him from reaching for his life’s goals. He is perhaps the only blind person who does not move around with a cane. He says he gets around like any normal person because he does not limit himself to a cane, although he was told it was most suitable for him.
Stewart has a full time job, but, apart from church, he is not widely known locally. When I heard him sang, I did not know then that he was blind, but I was simply ‘blown away’ by his raw talent.
The musical talent of this extraordinary 27-year-old is way beyond extraordinary. He plays the saxophone in a manner that would make Ace Cannon one of his disciples; his silky voice can charm a riled up rattlesnake; and were Elvis Presley alive, he would certainly have commended Roy Stewart for the way he can make the guitar “talk”.
By Michel Outridge