Mini guitar maestro

21 July 2016 - 08:36 By TASCHICA PILLAY

Ten-year-old guitarist Luthando Jackson's to-do list is inspiring and impressive.He has already ticked off several accomplishments - including teaching himself to play the guitar at the age of seven, performing with his idol, US jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour and jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra, and playing with an orchestra.Now he wants to meet and perform with US guitarist and singer George Benson.On Saturday the talented Pietermaritzburg youngster is leaving for Spain to attend a week-long classical guitar workshop in Palencia at the invitation of CaminoArtes.He will also perform for pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela - an ancient pilgrim route stretching across Europe.CaminoArtes contacted him after seeing him play on a YouTube video .The Grade 5 pupil, who is on a musical scholarship at Epworth Preparatory School in Pietermaritzburg, said he was looking forward to improving his guitar skills in Spain."I am excited about meeting people from different countries and going on a plane for the first time," said Luthando.Earlier this year he performed at the Durban International Jazz Extravaganza, where he played withSpyro Gyra and Ritenour. He has also played with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Soul Brothers and Nduduzo Makhatini.Luthando said he loved playing classical and Spanish music.His parents, none of whom is musically inclined, gave him a guitar for his seventh birthday."I learnt to play on my own, just by playing to music and watching YouTube videos."People are surprised that at my age I can play the guitar so well. It makes me feel happy," said Luthando.He also plans to produce and write music when he is older.His dad, Oupa Jackson, who will be accompanying him to Spain, said he was very proud of his son's achievements."I am so glad they want to invest in and develop his talent. When he received his first guitar, he surprised us by how well he played. He practises at home every day," said Jackson.Today, the mayor of uMgungundlovu, Yusuf Bhamjee, is giving a send-off for Luthando...

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