A WOOLSTON teenager has performed at an acclaimed festival which has previously attracted the likes of Miles Davis, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

Jake Knox was invited to the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland to play with the 14-piece Manchester Grammar School Jazz Band.

The festival welcomes some of the biggest acts in the world but also champions exceptional school, college and university bands.

"It's really nice to know we were good enough," said Jake, aged 16.

"We were all pretty much overjoyed when we were invited. There was a school band from Australia and we got chatting to a university jazz band from America.

"It's not just a jazz festival anymore. It's really diverse. There was even a Latin rhythm band.

"Van Morrison was there too. He's still a really good showman."

Jake has attended Presto Music in Crosfield Street since he was six.

The former Woolston CE Primary School pupil has a grade 8 distinction on keyboard, grade 6 on saxophone and grade 5 on jazz piano.

Jake joined the Manchester Grammar School Jazz Band as pianist when he was 13. He will soon be taking a diploma in musical performance and he has also been composing his own music for more than a year.

His dad Steve said: "When Jake was two he was playing little tunes on his xylophone so we knew he was destined for this even then."

Jake, who is inspired by Russian-German music producer and DJ Zedd, added: "It was an honour to be at the festival. It's really great to know people like what we're doing.

"When we did the big numbers like Sing Sing Sing people were dancing along. Everyone was really supportive."

Jake hopes to write music for a living in the years to come.

"I'd love to do a film soundtrack," he said.

"I love the stuff that Hans Zimmer does. I like the way that music can change the mood of what's happening on screen."

DAVID MORGAN