Multi-instrumentalist Reichlin Small started playing at the age of four, when he heard his sister playing piano in the house and then in church. Later, seeing his mother singing opera in the house, and later gospel in church got him hooked. He started plinking out tunes on the piano, at first teaching himself themes to every television show and movie that he watched, and then, with the aid of a teacher, classical pieces by Chopin and Rachmaninoff (out of his sister’s books).
Reichlin enjoyed this outlet for a time, but when he was seven he was introduced to the clarinet, which would become his primary instrument for some 12 years until he discovered the saxophone and later, the guitar. He has been known, locally and regionally, as an on-call guitarist for 25 years for studio sessions, live performances of every genre, lessons, and just recently, the Mott Jazz Ensemble. Reichlin has also gotten calls to play his new love, the violin, and there are some places where he is known only for that. Reichlin has performed with Marcus Belgrave, Nancy Wilson, the Velvelettes, and recorded for Aretha Franklin.