Their majors at Claflin and South Carolina State universities range from history to music education, digital art to medicine. But regardless of their differences, the five members of Free Verse are united by their love of music, art and creativity.

"From my perspective, the group started like a joke," said Larry Sumpter, the saxophonist.

After jazz ensemble class, instead of going back to their dorm rooms, Sumpter says he and a few classmates would get together for jam sessions to have a good time and relieve some creative frustrations.

The band has gone through a lot of transitions, Sumpter says. A charter member of the group, Sumpter says it began as an eight-member, poor-college-student band with no name, no vocalist and no clear objective.

As time progressed, the group began to acknowledge their chemistry, one Sumpter describes as "effortless" in its vibes and grooves, horn lines and harmonies. Although aware of the unique grooves they were able to come up with in their sessions, he says the notion of becoming an official group was still a distant thought.

In 2006, Quahnkatiere Marshall, the group's keyboardist, was asked to accompany a vocalist during the talent portion of a pageant. The remaining members of the group invited themselves to assist in the performance. In Sumpter's words, "groove sessions became rehearsals, and rehearsals became our first performance and thus ... Free Verse."

Gary Dawkins, associate professor in Claflin's mass communication department and president of Superstar Entertainment LLC, says he recognized the unique talent the group possessed and its lack of knowledge about the business and marketing-side of the music industry.

Dawkins, who regularly helps young musicians hone their talents, brought in lead vocalist Nykki Smalls and bassist Avery Brown to form the present five-member group.

"There's a crisis in music right now," Dawkins said. "The less talent you have, seems the more exposure you get. We want to change that with quality, positive, feel-good music."

For booking or more information, call Superstar Entertainment toll-free at 877-219-9287 or visit www.superstarentertainment.net.

New and surprising remake of classics

"Holy Night" with a smooth, melodic, calapyso twist. "Little Drummer Boy" flipped, eschewed and cleverly manipulated without taking away or losing the song's authentic holiday spirit.

Free Verse -- a group of five Claflin and S.C. State students -- has come together to produce a Christmas CD titled "To: You/From: Free Verse." The CD design, symbolizing a Christmas gift topped with a red bow, is an indication of something new and surprising.

In tune with their name Free Verse, the members of the group say their musical identity rests with the freedom to express themselves as individuals with an open mind and heart.

On their first CD, a remake of Christmas songs, Free Verse has infused its free, but melodic, fingerprints on classical tunes known to be sung as carols. Each member contributes their individual uniqueness through rhythmical riffs using live instruments and free-flowing vocals that act as an energizing placebo to enhance and increase the joyful euphoria surrounding Christmas.

The group consists of lead vocalist Nykki Smalls, bassist Avery Brown, saxophonist Larry Sumpter, keyboardist Quahnkatiere Marshall and drummer Will Priester. The group is managed by Gary Dawkins, president of Superstar Entertainment.

The album, released in time for the holiday season, is available at iTunes.com, Amazon.com, GroupieTunes.com, Napster.com and Rhapsody.com. Copies are also available for purchase by contacting Dawkins at www.garydawkins.com.

Rodney Brown is a student in the Mass Communications Department at Claflin University. He is an intern in The Times and Democrat News Department for fall 2008. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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