Disability no match for talent
Music coach overcomes stigma
SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Once shunned, teased, bullied and told he does not belong, 24-yearold Gabre Samuels is now an in-demand music coach in Westmoreland.
At first sight, one would not assume much of the humble young man limping down the road. But his stage presence has left many in awe hours, days and even months after his performances. Gabre’s disability has affected his development, leaving him with a limp and one deformed hand. Despite these challenges, he was determined to be a ‘normal person’ growing up.
His journey as a musician began while he was attending the Savanna-la-mar Primary School. By the age of five, he was playing the Congo drum and by 10, he was versed at playing the trap set. But his journey was far from easy. He still remembers how his peers shunned him.
“They use to tell me that they don’t want anybody with my disability to perform with them,” Gabre recalled. “They said I don’t deserve to be at their school. That I must go to School of Hope [which caters to children with disabilities].”
While the comments wrecked him emotionally, Gabre drew strength from friends and family who continuously urged him to press on and ignore the noise. His natural talent can be attributed to his lineage. His mother and brother are singers, while other family members are also vocalists and musicians. Popular gospel artistes Kevin Downswell and Sister Pat are his cousins.
But even though he had music in his blood, Gabre’s journey to becoming a musician was not an easy feat.
“My greatest challenge is coordination,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “I have to put in more effort to [perfect] more complicated beats, because I mostly play with one hand.”
In addition to the drums, he plays the saxophone, keyboards, bass guitar and the recorder.
Currently a part-time student of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Gabre is a member of the Godfrey Stewart Performing Arts Society with which he performs and provides his skills as a coach. He also coaches a number of primary schools in Westmoreland. His tenure as the performing arts teacher at Unity Primary School saw the institution racking up more than five gold and seven silver medals.
Gabe has also won his fair share of medals. During the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) 2024 performing arts season, he was awarded two gold, one silver and one bronze medal for music; he also walked away with a gold medal for speech.
In the 13 years that he has been competing in JCDC competitions, he has won 10 gold, six silver, three bronze medals and one merit. He has performed at the national level seven times since receiving his first gold medal in 2015.
“Philippians 4:13 — I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me — is where I gather my strength each day,” Gabre explained.
His aim is to continue his studies overseas after completing his tenure at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. After that he wants to return to Jamaica and open his own music school. He believes he can do it and that optimism is just as strong for anyone who, like him, has goals they want to achieve.
“Keep pushing. It doesn’t matter what you are facing,” is Gabre’s message to Jamaican youth. “You just need one person in your corner; sometimes, that one person can be you. Just keep moving forward.”