At the age of just 15, drummer Daniel Petersen III has already played on world stages like the World Trade Centre in New Orleans, in the US, performed at three of Nelson Mandela’s birthday celebrations and had the opportunity to play at one of the inauguration functions for former US president Barack Obama.
The young man, with an impressive resumé under his belt, is now gearing up to play on home soil at the Jazz in the Cradle concert, to be staged at the Nirox Sculpture Park in Mogale City next Sunday.
His love for music started at the tender age of one when he was exposed to music via his father’s drum kit.
His dad, Danny Petersen, gave up music as soon as his son was born, not knowing that his seed would pick the sticks up and use them a year later.
“I was very intrigued when I first saw the drum set. I actually thought it was my toy to play with and, as a young man, I just wanted to play with it constantly. While I was playing, I was also practising without noticing,” says the youngster from Cape Town.
Danno (as he is known on stage) was able to attend the University of the Western Cape at the age of just 11 and thereafter travelled the world and received various accolades, including the 44th President Barack Obama Lifetime Achievement Award at the age of 14.
The drummer says his path in music has become clearer and his aim is to make a change in people’s lives through music.
“I feel blessed daily to have my career path figured out at such a young age. But, most importantly, it excites me knowing that I’m still able to learn from others.
“I can never stop learning and that is my number one goal, to continue to learn from my colleagues, people I get to play with. My goal as a musician is to touch people’s hearts with music,” he adds.
“There has to be an impact when I play. I want to be able to inspire others without speaking but communicate with them through my music. All I’m hoping for is that they can get what I’m trying to say.”
His journey has seen him rub shoulders with many other artists, including the late Michael Jackson’s drummer Jonathan Moffett, who he says is his inspiration. Despite all this greatness that surrounds him, Danno says he isn’t intimidated because he knows his place.
“It is not a race where I need to catch up to others, but this is a chance to showcase what my skill sets are and what I have already. That on its own makes me confident in my own abilities and working with older people.
“I just see them as my uncles and aunties; they are family. I know what I am capable of. If they can see that, then I am more than content with that fact,” he said.
Danno will share the stage with other local musicians like drummer and composer Ayanda Sikade, Nduduzo Makhathini, alto saxophonist Mthunzi Mvubu and Zoe Modiga among the many artists who will deliver jazz music on the day.
@AmandaMaliba