Not only has Daniel Petersen from Kuils River been invited to be a guest performer at the International Jazz Festival in New Orleans, USA, he is also the only child his age to receive an endorsement from Yamaha.

His support team, his mom Antoinette, father Daniel, also a seasoned and established drummer and three-year-old sister will all be flown to the States along with Daniel to support him on his big first overseas performance.

Petersen said, “Endorsements don’t come easily. It is often granted to drummers who would be an ambassador for a company both on and off stage.”

Little Daniel turned six two weeks ago and at this occassion this musical child prodigy had a big bash at GrandWest Casino’s kiddies playpark. On his guest list were his family and friends and 200 children from underprivileged areas from around the Tygerberg area and even Mr. Marius Fransman, the newly appointed WP Minister of Health.

According to his dad, who recalls moments when he was moved to tears, little Daniel started playing a full five-piece drum-kit at the tender age of fourteen months.

“At this stage he was still be in his nappies and he would mimmick sounds coming from the hi-hat symbol in his sleep. The next morning he would be up early, playing what he heard in his mind.”

The fact that Petersen owns African Djembe, a drumming company who specialises in teambuilding, made it possible for Daniel to always be surrounded by drums. His first experience with a drum was when he was not yet one year old. “He would put the small djembe drum flat on the floor and sit with his legs straddled, on top of it. He would bring out the clearest sounds and with the right technique of not bending his wrists,” Petersen said.

By the age of three he performed for the deputy president at the launch of the Woman’s World Cup of Golf. This year on Freedom Day he played for former president Thabo Mbeki and recently played at the 90th birthday celebration of former president Nelson Mandela.

“At one of these events, Daniel refused to play, because he was too tired after having to wait too long for dignatiries to arrive,” his father said.

“That was the end of it, we packed up and left and as a matter of courtesy left a tape of Daniel performing.”

His mom, Antoinette said, “It is important for us that Daniel has the right to firstly be a child and we do allow him the freedom to say “no”.”