MySpace a place for friends

When asked how he became a singer, Stone will always tell you that it was an accident or at least something he had resisted for a great deal of time. Preferring to assist others in pursuing their dreams, Stone didn’t immediately see how becoming a singer would benefit anyone.

Then the BBC broadcast a live special by Stevie Wonder and it changed everything. Stone vividly recalls a moment where Stevie Wonder took off his glasses and sang. “This may sound strange, but I’ll never forget the look in his eyes. It was as if he could see something we couldn’t, and through his music he was opening it up for everyone to step into. It was incredible.” It was this experience that Stone’s family finally used to convince him to stop the search to find a singer to front this project, and instead step behind the microphone and make it his own.

Born and raised in South London to German and Jamaican parents, Stone began studying classical piano at the age of seven and also remembers being heavily influenced as a child by the hypnotic rhythms of reggae and ska coming from the halls of Britain’s black Pentecostal churches, which his family attended. “Attending church as a kid was like having my own version of Jamaica right in the heart of South London! On weekends I’d be there and during the week I’d be listening to the sounds of British soul artists such as Soul II Soul, Mica Paris and Don-E on the TV and radio, while trying to sneak in American R&B and Beatles records past the watchful eye of my father!”

Later Stone would follow his father’s footsteps into ministry, but not before accepting a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music, a school renowned for producing world class musicians including Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Sting and John Mayer to name a few. As a result of his attendance at the BRIT School Stone had already attracted the attention of the major labels in the UK which enabled him to secure funding from them, which when coupled with his scholarship allowed him to attend Berklee. It was there that he began honing his writing, arranging and production skills.

Stone will be the first to admit that the recording of his forthcoming debut album has been a huge learning curve, particularly as he’s had to pretty much write, arrange, perform, record and produce everything himself. But when asked he says he’d have it no other way. “Anything worth having should cost something. And if I want this music to reach people and give voice to their hopes, hurts and dreams, then it should cost me more than a couple of hours in the studio.”

With his music being described as a “Wonderbra for the soul!” one thing is for sure – whether Stone is at the piano by himself or accompanied by his full band, his commitment to wanting to see others succeed in life means that his music will move you, inspire you, and encourage you to start living your dreams again.