Page 231 - FINAL_Guildhall Media Highlights 2019-2020 Coverage Book

14 September 2019

Luca Manning on being a rising jazz star –

and his famous granny, Bargain Hunt's

Anita

By Alison Kerr

LUCA Manning may only have left school two years ago, but the young jazz
singer with the soulful, gentle voice already has an award on his mantelpiece
(Rising Star at the 2018 Scottish Jazz Awards), a debut CD to sell, a CV that

many older singers would kill for, a star-studded roster of admirers, and a
dedicated entourage which includes a well-kent face from TV.

Manning, you see, is the grandson of Anita – the colourful Glasgow antiques expert

on Bargain Hunt – and over the last few years, she and her daughter, Luca’s mother,
have become regulars at jazz concerts in Glasgow. Indeed, from being what she
described as a “rock ’n’ roll gal,” Anita Manning now has an impressive jazz

collection (“she has loads of Ella Fitzgerald records”) and has helped her grandson by
offering him tips on performance, dealing with nerves and keeping energy levels up.
“Eat bananas is her top tip for an energy boost,” laughs Manning.

It was always obvious to Luca Manning, 20, that his future lay in music – but he only

discovered jazz relatively recently. Born in Glasgow’s west end, he attended Hillhead
High School where, initially, he dreamt of becoming a rock star – not that he was
very keen on practising his guitar.