We have just had the Fiji Jazz and Blues Festival here in Suva. A great event over four days with bands mainly from NZ and Australia, one US band and a few local bands. Laid low by the recurring cold/flu I only managed to get to two events. We went to the opening Gala dinner where Renee Geyer and Fiji's own Tom Mawi were the highlights. Tom is a much feted jazz guitarist who has achieved international recognition. Check out this clip. His style not unlike Kenny Burrell but apparently his favoured guitarist is Wes Montgomery.
Last night we went to a second show where we enjoyed a few NZ Blues Bands but the nicest part of the evening was sitting down with Tom's son, Sami and daughter in law, Annie (who also happen to be his keyboard player and singer). We had a great evening talking music, life in Fiji and learning about how Sami grew up with Jazz and how Annie changed from singing Madonna covers to Ella.
They play each Wednesday at the Holiday Inn (less than 100m from work) and while we had seen them there once or twice we had not made the Wednesday connection. I think we will be making Wednesday Jazz a regular event.
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