𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐬

𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐢𝐝𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫

I want you to be satisfied with what I do. I want to make your event special.” Professional saxophonist Darryl Anderson does just that. If you are looking for a true diamond in the rough, look no further. The multitalented saxophonist has performed at an array of private events, showcasing his talents throughout Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.

Darryl has afforded the community his talents for nearly nine years. He and his wife Ortavia decided to make Pooler their home following his retirement from the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT).

Darryl performs at weddings, festivals, organizational galas, corporate banquets or political events, to name a few.

“I do a variety of events, and I really enjoy it because making the different contacts opens up opportunities at other venues,” he says.

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐬

Darryl, a Bronx, New York native, is an accomplished instrumentalist. He realized his love for music early in life. At age five, he began playing the drums; in sixth grade, Darryl was introduced to the saxophone. Later, he participated in various bands.

“I’ve always played music; I’ve always been in music. Some of my family on  my mother’s side were recording artists,” he says.

Further, Darryl grew up in a neighborhood where several recording artists also grew up. He was right across the street from Larry Blackman of the group Cameo, a popular 1970s American funk band; he also lived near R&B and soul vocalist Keith Sweat as well as soul singer Freddie Jackson.

“I grew up with a lot of people who became famous musicians. I was around music all the time,” he says.

Darryl has always loved and appreciated the gift of music.

“Music was a gift. It was always in me. It was something I loved. My family had a band,” he adds.

Indeed, Darryl’s family formed a band, Shelly Bell & the TNT’s, where he played the drums alongside his brothers Shelly and Donald. Some time later, Darryl joined another band that was started by family friends in his neighborhood; it was also a family band. Thirteen-year-old Darryl started out as the lead musician—the drummer. Darryl performed with the band for a couple of years under the name TNT Express; the group was eventually renamed The Bowden Affair. Vernelle Bowden was the other members’ mom and the band’s producer. She would later be credited with discovering the 1990’s female R&B vocal group Sisters with Voices (SWV). Darryl later joined Street Magic Band alongside a cousin and childhood friend. The group performed at many local venues.

“We were really good,” he asserts.

𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬, 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲𝐥 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬

As a result of the opportunity with Street Magic Band, Darryl crossed paths with R&B singer and recording artist Omar Chandler. Darryl soon turned his sights to writing songs.

Now a musician and songwriter, Darryl wrote “A Better Day,” a song featured on Chandler’s album, which was released by MCA Records. He collaborated with Teddy Riley—record producer, singer and founder of the popular 1980s R&B and soul group Guy and the 1990s R&B group Blackstreet. Together, the two wrote the song “Stay.”

Darryl released his first CD in 2015, titled Finally. It was played on the radio and was sold at hundreds of bookstores and online.

 “I named it Finally because it had finally happened to me after years of playing for others,” he says. What is more, his mom Ravania Scott sang the song “Elijah Rock” which was featured on the CD; the song was originally performed by gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Darryl, however, had written another rendition of the song for his mom to sing.

Darryl recalls how he felt the very first time he heard one of his songs on the radio; his mom called him and told him that his song was playing.

 “It was exciting; it was surreal because you’re driving and suddenly your mother calls and says, ‘Listen to this.’”

Darryl made several connections with various New York radio personalities. By establishing a variety of connections and business relationships, he was granted opportunities to display his talents. He opened shows for a host of celebrity artists: gospel greats Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker and James Fortune, along with gospel and jazz musician Ben Tankard and renowned vocalist Regina Belle.

“Opportunities really opened up when I was able to open for those national gospel recording artists,” he reveals.

Darryl also performed on the One Love Gospel Cruise—a five-day cruise out of Florida that brought thousands of cruisers together to enjoy an array of entertainment. Several award-winning entertainers and nationally acclaimed gospel artists performed aboard the cruise each year.

“There were a lot of national recording artists on the ship. I could open for them or have my own place to play. After the first year I played, I wanted to come back. That was a great opportunity for me—to be around more gospel artists; it was a chance to interact with them,” Darryl says.

He was given the opportunity to sell and promote Finally as part of the gospel cruise, allowing him the chance to hear his own music and see how others responded to it.

“You get to feel what it’s like to listen to your own music and enjoy what you have presented,” he states. That CD was followed by Darryl’s second CD You Are. He, too, produced his own rendition of the song “Walking” by Mary Mary.

Over time, Darryl began sharing his musical talents with local churches, particularly after giving his life to Jesus Christ. Directing much of his focus to his family, he postponed his musicianship for many years, eventually retiring from his 25-year-long career with NYCDOT that he had successfully maintained while pursuing his musical endeavors.

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

Upon moving to the local area,

Darryl, a Christian musician, began sharing his talents with various ministries. He was initially given an opportunity to perform his musical talents on the saxophone at Resurrection Pentecostal Temple, which is under the leadership of Pastor Hazel Scott.

“That’s when it all started for me here,” Darryl says. He also played the saxophone with the church band at Jonesville Baptist Church, where his dad, the late Shelly Anderson, Jr., served as a deacon. Darryl was pleased to make Living Hope Community Fellowship his church home, where Joyce C. Hall is pastor.

Darryl’s favorite genres are gospel and jazz; he gained a sincere regard for jazz early in life. It is not surprising that most of what he performs stems from those genres; he also plays mild, old-school R&B.

“I grew up listening to jazz; my family were huge jazz fans,” he says.

It was long important to Darryl that he did not limit his musical scope. He sought to appeal to a variety of audiences while never compromising his Christian values.

“I wanted to play more than one genre of music but still play music I’m comfortable with so that I’m not compromising my faith. I do mostly private events,” he states. Darryl does not accept requests to perform at clubs, bars or any similar venues.

He has had the pleasure of performing at a myriad of events, which include the likes of: Diner en Blanc, NAACP Freedom Fund and Gullah Geechee events.

He appreciates all the exposure he has been privileged to attain; many of his clients have been gained by word of mouth.

“I’m a professional. This gives me the opportunity to show you what I’m capable of doing. I treat people with respect and bring no drama to their occasion. I want you to be satisfied; I can bring the music, or if you’d like, I can learn a song that you’d like to hear—whatever you need for your occasion,” Darryl comments.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭

Darryl appreciates the opportunity to give back to his community whenever possible. He volunteers to play once each month at the Ruth Byck Adult Day Care Center in Savannah; he feels that the gift of giving is priceless.

Besides his music, Darryl enjoys spending time with his wife. The father of six and grandfather of 13 likes to travel with her whenever they can.

He appreciates a good balance in life; he understands that as much as he loves his music, it pales in comparison to what matters most. He is grateful for the many blessings he has been bestowed throughout his life.

“If you are faithful, God is going to be faithful to you.”