The guitar has become an essential feature of music in Fiji.
Ben’s Musical Journey: Think about, whenever the is a soqo (gathering) a grog session.
Just a sit down with friends, the mood changes as soon as someone begins strumming a guitar.
And one of Fiji’s emerging six-string maestros is Peni Rokotuibau Masirewa.
The distinguished gentleman, who goes by the name Ben. — and his stage persona Jibi Bendrix — is from Vunivivi, Nausori with maternal links to Bau.
His musical awakening began as boy.
Listening to his father sing as he strummed his guitar, which spurred Ben’s interest in music.
Ben was also influenced by his dad, who introduced him to the music of Eric Clapton, George Benson and Jimi Hendrix.
After studying his father’s music style for a while,he began his own musical journey and began developing.
Ben’s musical journey,His musical abilities through the internet, live music events and just jamming with friends.
This led to the formation of a band called 4 Quarters, which was made of Ben and three friends —all like-minded musicians.
Who developed their own musical communication, arrangements and band dynamics together.
Who developed their own musical communication, arrangements and band dynamics together.
The guitar has always been his primary instrument as it provides him a voice to speak through music,
but it also provides him the ability and versatility to create anything he wishes on a musical level.
Style wise, Ben draws from guitar greats such as Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer, Gutherie Govan and Tim Henson.
If you go down to the Fiji Fringe Festival on Wednesday, March 1, for $14 you can catch Ben live on stage.
He has an interesting solo show, loaded with guitar instruments, enhanced with a looper pedal.”
I’ll be playing with sounds and using effects to create sonic textures for people to zone into,” he said.
Ben has an experimental set list, suited to people interested in a sound that takes a small detour from what’s trendy on the radio.
“Lo-fi, Jazz fusion and Progressive guitar music so if you’re into those, I feel like you’d really enjoy my show.”
But don’t be discouraged if that’s not quite your thing.
“I’ll be playing some covers of beloved Rhythm and Blues, dub reggae and soul tunes for people who are keen on something perhaps a little more familiar.”
