PETALING JAYA, Sept 24 ― It's the Latin sound that gets guitarist Hadi Afro in the right groove.

Hadi, whose real name is Sheikh Hady Basmeih Mansur, has been in the Malaysian music scene for a decade now.

All geared to perform at the Malaysian International Guitar Festival (Migfest 2014) which starts Friday, he says he picked up the guitar when aged 17.

“I like classical, jazz, Latin and tango,” says Hadi, 27, in an email from Johor Baru where he was performing for the JB Arts Festival these past few days.

“When I was a kid, my father always tuned in to the classical, rock and jazz radio stations.

“My father is my first guitar teacher. He's also a pianist (boogie woogie blues style of music).

“I listened as my father practised and played the blues everyday in my home while I did my homework.

“He taught me and all my siblings to play the piano when we were young but I got hooked on the guitar after he bought me one from his friend.

“He taught me how to play and read music notes too,” explains the Taman Keramat-born musician.

Hadi ventured further into music when he entered Aswara (National Arts Culture and Heritage Academy) when aged 18.

“I took music arrangement and studied classical guitar under Jeffrey Yong, among others. I changed to modern guitar studies for my degree under lecturer Arwah Rosdan Abbas and Isyam Swardy.”

Hadi is honoured to be performing at Migfest 2014. “I really feel honoured because I am still young and I am already representing Malaysia at an international guitar festival like this.

 He has also represented the country at the Kirov International Guitar Festival (Russian, 2013), Thailand International Guitar Festival and Competition (2011 and 2012), and the Philippine International Guitar Festival and Competition  (2012).

Hadi has given solo performances at Yokohama, Japan (2013) and the  Jeonju University at Seoul, South Korea in 2012.

“When I am back performing at local festivals, I tell to myself, I want to educate and reveal to music lovers and music students the artistry of a solo guitar performance with different styles of music.”

Hadi has a Godin nylon acoustic guitar from Canada, and a classical guitar made by Malaysia's luthier Jeffrey Yong, among others.

As for Migfest 2014, Hadi promises a sterling showcase with classical pieces and his own works.

“I always rearrange the classical pieces to a modern sound. My favourite tune is Tunggu Sekejap, composed by our legendary P. Ramlee while my original song is called Samba Hady.

“I rearrange all the songs I play to a latin sound. My own compositions are also in the latin style,” he explains, adding that his debut album will officially released at the end of this year.

In the meantime, check out Hadi's showcase at Migfest 2014 at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex.

This third edition offers competitions for the ukulele, classical and acoustic fingerstyle guitar players from all over the world starting Friday.

Prizes consist of handcrafted guitars and ukuleles and other accessories worth more than US$20,000 (about RM62,000) for the winners.

The ukelele competition starts on Friday at 8pm, while the classical guitar section is on Saturday at 2pm with an 8pm concert. Sunday sees the acoustic guitar contest at 2pm, with an 8pm show. The exhibition of instruments will be held at the foyer from 11am-6pm daily. Call 012-6714841 (Jeffrey Yong) or 019-3634033 (Nik Azmi) for details.