On September 27, 1933, Nathaniel James Alexander Small was born to Annie Albertha McKinney Jervis Small. He was the second oldest of seven children and was preceded in death by three brothers, Zammie Williams, Egrett Lefleur and Hubert Jervis.
Natty attended Southern Senior School and excelled academically. At an early age he became a Seventh Day Adventist and attended Engleston Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Masonry was his trade and he was one of the best in Nassau until he lost his sight at the age of 25.
Natty was an accomplished musician and played both the congo and bongo drums. He also played the piano "by air", and many a "jam" session was held at his house. His faithful and dedicated nephew, Zammie Williams spent hours on end "at his feet" so to speak, learning the trade. Natty had his own band and played with such legends as Paul Meeres, Chippie, Peanuts Taylor, Edmund Moxey, and Kayla Lockhart, just to name a few.
Natty worked at the National School of Dance for thirty-three years until his retirement. He travelled extensively in his capacity of drummer for the National School of Dance. He received the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Silver Jubilee Award for contribution to culture in 1988. He was also an integral part of the musical section of the Dundas Civic Center.