Ottery resident Jayson Sheldon, 24, has gone solo after having performed as a backing guitarist for well-known artists, and will be performing at the New Faith Church, in Hector Avenue, Ottery, on Friday October 7, from 7.30pm.
Jayson said he writes his own music, with his first song having been written about Daniel Avenue which is opposite the Ottery flats where he grew up.
Among the challenges faced in the area, he said, were gangsterism and drugs, but this did not deter
Jayson.
Jayson learned to play the guitar at church and while he attended Stephen Road Primary.
“I received training from my cousin Mark Sheldon, and I played with him in church. We played mostly gospel, jazz and RnB mu-
sic.”
While music kept him focused, his father, Pastor Jacobus Sheldon, was his role model who taught him to have principles and how to treat people in the community.
“My father raised six boys and one girl and we were all taught to maintain good standards.”
While Jason didn’t always listen to his father, when he attended Lotus High School, hetaughthisyoungest brother Geago, to always do his homework. “My brother is into soccer, and not mu-
sic.”
When Jayson’s music career hit a high note, last year, he decided to go on
his own and promote his brand. “My stage name is JayBux,” he said.
Before he decided to go solo, he gained “a lot of experience by performing as backing guitarist for local artist Loukmaan Adams, South African born, American-based singer, songwriter, guitarist Jonathan Butler and American jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum.
“I played with Kirk about two years ago, and it was a highlight of my career when he told me that he was impressed with the way I played. That positive comment humbled me.”
It was playing with these famous artists which boost-
ed Jayson’s confidence and “I am now ready to go
solo,” he said.
Jayson said when he doesn’t feel all that confident his “go to person” is his three- year-old daughter, Jesse.
“She makes me laugh and I feel good when I spend time with her. I wrote a song for her called Song for Jesse.”
Christo Williams, Ottery youth leader of Africa Jam, who introduced Southern Mail to Jayson, said: “Jayson has a heart for the community. Since I can remember, he was always carrying a guitar. He is also a great entertainer.”
Jayson said at his debut gig he will have a variety of guests artists who will be rapping, singing and dancing.Tickets are R50.
For more information or to book contact him on 073 014 1506 or like the page JayBux on Facebook.