The musical journey of Ashleigh J: from Parlock to the stage

ASHLEIGH Thea Jackson, known professionally as Ashleigh J, has carved a niche for herself in the music scene.

Born and raised in Parlock, with deep ties to Durban’s vibrant cultural tapestry, she embodies a legacy of musical talent rooted in her family’s rich heritage.

Her father, Gabriel Joseph, is a seasoned musician who served 42 years in the South African Defence Force as a trumpeter in the army band and her late maternal grandmother, Lorraine Naidoo, was a member of a band in her youth.

"My grandmother used to be an amazing singer in her younger days, so my talent stems from both sides of the family," said Jackson, who now resides in Essenwood.

She started singing at age 4. Her dad, she said, recognised that there was "some sort of singing talent as I used to play with his tape recorder".

"I used to record myself singing and play it back to hear what I sounded like. He recently mentioned to me that I didn't realise at the time that it was my way of grooming my voice and that was my form of practice.

"My dad persuaded me to join the children's choir at St Anne's Catholic Parish in Sydenham, and from there I started singing solo in church. People then started requesting I sing at weddings, funerals and birthdays. My first public performance and contract gig, where I received my first paycheque, was at the age of 10. I performed at the National Port Authority's birthday. They were also celebrating 10 years of democracy. More than 1 000 people attended."

Jackson and her dad often perform together along with her cousin, cousin Anthony Joseph.

"We are part of the ever-popular band, the Dukes Combo, which has been running for the past 67 years, and the band has been passed down from the generations. I got to witness my dad on stage at his peak and now I have taken over from where he was but I still get to share the stage with him. This is super special for me."

She said she always aspired to be a singer but when she entered high school at Sastri College, her interests changed.

"I was in matric in 2010 and it was a tough year as it was the soccer world cup and classes were heavily disturbed by that. But I pulled through with a B-aggregate. After school, I was confused as I studied three different fields - drama, music and finally beauty technology. After graduating from beauty school, I worked in the industry for four years until I resigned.

"It was at that stage I realised my career was taking off, so I decided to pursue music full-time. At that point, gigs were flooding in and I couldn't manage the stress of having a full-time job and singing every day. I was quite young. I'm glad to say I pursued both fields."

Jackson sings pop and R&B. She released a single Signs in 2019 and it is available on music digital platforms.

"I'm passionate about '60s, '70s and '80s music. I'm born in the '90s but always say I'm from the wrong era as I love and prefer older music. Over the years, I have performed at hundreds of venues in and around the country. Some of the highlights were performing at the opening of the Oceans Mall, The Pearls, and The Radisson Blu. I've opened for American singer Cece Penniston and performed on stage with local artists like Jamali, MiCasa, and Veranda Panda."

Her favourite classic songs, she said, were Saving All My Love by Whitney Houston and The Greatest Love of All.

"Saving All My Love was one of the first songs I started singing as a child and the other is George Benson's original Greatest Love of All, which was made famous by Whitney. I love that song. It is appropriate to sing at almost any event, and it's loved by almost everyone."

Over the course of her music career, she said one of the biggest challenges was having to deal with the pressures of social media.

"Having more than 150 000 followers over all social media platforms can be quite daunting. The negativity that comes with being a public figure is the most difficult thing to endure. But over the years. I have learnt to ignore it."

When she gets a chance she enjoys swimming and hiking but her two year old daughter takes up a lot of her time.

"I spend every moment with her. Time is passing by so quickly and before I know it, these toddler years will be gone, so I try to spend most of my free time with her."

Jackson's advice to aspiring singers: "Focus on developing your unique voice and style. It's important to practice regularly, but also explore different genres that align with you. Also, don't be afraid to seek feedback and learn from others in the industry. Networking is important, so engage with fellow musicians, attend workshops, and be open to collaboration. Lastly, perseverance is vital. The path to success can be challenging, but staying dedicated and true to yourself will help you grow as an artist."

* Jackson has shows and performances lined up every weekend. To catch this line-up, you can follow her on Facebook on Ashleigh J - Music Is Life.

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