Palos Verdes Intermediate School sixth grader Saxon Weiss easily embodies the old adage “age is just a number and your talent will never fail you.” Music ignited his passion within the walls of his family’s church, where rhythmic beats captured his heart. His journey began with a drum kit at the tender age of 2.
“I loved playing the drums, but I was determined to start playing guitar,” recalls 12 year old Weiss. The challenge of the guitar’s size led him to the ukulele, which he found more manageable. “I taught myself how to play songs I liked, and even performed on stage in Hawaii when I was 6 years old,” he shares.
By the age of 8, Weiss was ready to tackle the guitar comfortably. Drawing from his experience with Hawaiian music, he began playing Hawaiian Slack Key guitar by ear before delving into formal lessons.
“I recognized that taking classical guitar lessons would be best to develop proper technique and learn to read music,” he explains. Fuelled by his natural affinity for music, Weiss soon found himself diving into music theory with a focus on jazz standards.
“I love playing various styles of music; there’s a great freedom in being versatile,” says the young guitarist. His passion for live performance and improvisation has led him to share the stage with renowned musicians such as Tal Wilkenfeld, Jackson Browne, and Michael Landau.
“Performing at Norman’s Rare Guitars in Tarzana and appearing on Joe Bonamassa’s podcast ‘Live From Nerdville’ were incredible experiences,” adds Weiss.
Prepare to witness the ascent of this musical prodigy. On May 5th, all eyes will focus on Weiss as he steps into the spotlight at the Beachlife Festival in Redondo Beach. The opportunity to grace the stage at his hometown’s most prestigious event is nothing short of a dream come true for him. With his guitar in hand and a heart full of passion, he stands ready to captivate the crowd on the Speakeasy Stage.
His setlist, a blend of original compositions and cherished covers, has been meticulously crafted to showcase his undeniable talent and infectious energy. With each strum of the strings and every soulful note, Weiss promises to deliver a performance that will leave the audience spellbound.
For Weiss, who plans to release his first album soon, the Beachlife Festival isn’t just another gig, it’s the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. As he stands before the cheering crowd, he knows that this moment is his time to shine, and he’s determined to make it count.
Follow Saxon Weiss on Youtube and Instagram @saxon_weiss and check out his website www.saxonweiss.com
