10-year-old PMB guitarist in prestigious jazz festival
A ten-year-old Pietermaritzburg boy, Luthando Jackson, is among the artists on the line-up for this weekend's International Jazz Extravaganza in Durban.
The Grade 5 pupil says he started playing guitar when he was seven, asking his mom to buy him one for his birthday.
"My dad made me listen to old music CDs that he had and that kind of inspired me to start playing guitar. I love it because everyday I have something to do - I'm not always bored.
"It exercises my brain and it helps me think much faster and better," he said.
Jackson has performed with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, with world-renowned classical guitarist James Grace and has played for President Jacob Zuma. He dreams of becoming a music composer. His father Oupa Jacskon says they were surprised when he asked for the guitar:
"Ever since he got the guitar, he has never stopped practicing. He would listen to music - but we didn't take notice of it until some people told us that this young man is talented.
"That is when we started noticing that maybe there's something in him," he said.
Here's a snippet of Luthando's performance.
(Photo: Supplied)