Winston “Sparrow” Martin is a fairly tall man with an effervescent smile. He is well known for many things – mainly being a long time music teacher at Alpha Boys’ School in Kingston.
He was a student of Alpha, under the guidance of Sister Mary Ignatius, a music stalwart in her own right. Sparrow started out as a drummer, and overtime has mastered 5 instruments, including the Drums, Trumpet and the French Horn.
His achievements in music are numerous. From 1961 he has been a permanent member of the Jamaica Military Band. Through Alpha, he has taught hundreds of students in music, and a number of them have gone on to great notoriety. He helped to found Ska music, played a key role in pantomime productions, and also Jazz productions in Jamaica over a number of years.
‘Sparrow’ eventually became the musical director of the Alpha Boys’ School Band, and went on to become Band Leader Emeritus. In 2007, he was awarded a Bronze Musgrave Medal for his contribution in music, and was also presented with the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons Living Legacy Award for contributing invaluable service to Jamaica since Independence.
In 2011, his focus was “Ska Rebirth”, a band he formed, and at the time it was said to be Jamaica’s only Ska band. Leading the charge, he brought together 9 musicians, more than half of them were Alpha Boys School graduates.
His contribution to Jamaica’s music industry has been noted and recognized. He continues to teach and mentor young minds and talent even today at the University of Technology in Kingston, Jamaica.