Excitement is in the air for artists who will be part of the  Jazz Festival to honour Fijian Jazz guitarist Tom Mawi.

Vude Queen Laisa Vulakoro considers Tom a legend who has been very supportive when she started  her music career.

“I feel very honoured to be part of the event and his been a mentor for me in my music career,” said Ms Vulakoro.

“Alot of times we honour people when they are dead, it’s nice to do this when his still alive and to show him our appreciation,” she said.

Stage Tech, one of the leading sound and lighting design services and equipment hire in Fiji, will be staging the show that will honour the guitar great in Suva this week.

Ms Vulakoro will be showing the crowd another side off her when she will be doing renditions from jazz artist such as Randy Crawford, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and Amy Whinehouse.

Nezbitt Hazelman of One 2 Eight echoes the same sentiment, and feels honoured to be part of the tribute to the legend great.

“We will be doing renditions from Jimi Hendrix and other artist of that era,” said Mr Hazelman,

There is no short cut to music and practice makes perfect is his advice to young artists and musicians in the country according to Mr Hazelman, who has been playing professionally for 40 years.

“I encourage young artist to venture out to other genres and not just in a particular type of music they like and to always stay true to their music,” said Ms Vulakoro.

Other featured artist include Robert Verma, Georgina Ledua,Sami & Annie Mawi, Ken Janson, Maxi Columbus from the USA, SASSY, Steve Macomber, Margot Jenkins, Dr Richard Beyer, Salome Baravilala,  and Samu and  Kathy Waqa.

The concert titled At Tom’s Place will be held on October 29 at the Holiday Inn and Golden Dragon nightclub in Suva, will be a homecoming for the guitarist who was once voted among the top 10 jazz players in the world by Downbeat magazine

 Edited by Maraia Vula

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