Royals take in jazz from South Waikato

Buzz over the royal family visit has circulated the country and Tokoroa’s Daniel Millward was part of the action.

Millward, 24, showed his skills on the piano as Prince William unveiled a portrait of the Queen at Government House in Wellington. A 11⁄ hour compilation of jazz music

2 was played by the young musician which included royal-themed songs such as Some Day My Prince Will Come.

Millward scored the opportunity as a contracted musician for the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Born and raised in Tokoroa, Millward now lives in Wellington and is a freelance musician.

Although he said the opportunity was ‘‘pretty cool’’, friends and family claimed more excitement.

‘‘I mentioned it to other people and they were excited,’’ he said.

After he told his parents, they hoped it would turn into a photo opportunity.

‘‘They asked for a photo, but I don’t think I could have gotten one,’’ he said.

As well as the encounter with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Millward accompanied opera singer Dame Malvina Major on a tour this year.

Despite coming from a small town, aspirations to make it in the music industry are still real for Millward.

‘‘ Coming from Tokoroa, it always seemed like a far away thing to make a living out of music,’’ he said.