ILISAVANI Cava, the 2009 winner of Fiji’s very own MIC show, has chosen successful British recording artiste Jessie J as his mentor for this year’s The Voice Australia.
This after the 22-year-old stunned the crowd with his rendition of Sam Smith’s third single I’m not the only one during The Voice Australia blind audition on Tuesday night (Sydney time).
“I had no idea what I was listening to but I just knew it was something special,” remarked Ronan Keating, best known in Fiji as the former head of the popular Irish group Boyzone.
“To take on a Sam Smith song and sing it in his key like that is so incredible. It’s beautiful.
“It wasn’t perfect. It’s your first audition, I get that, and it will only get better from here.”
Jessie, who pressed the button a few seconds after Ronan, said she turned her chair because she heard potential.
“I like to teach and help and discover. I hear so many things I know I can teach you straight away,” she said.
Cava chose Jessie as her mentor, inspired by one of her songs he heard six years ago, about being who you are, which changed his life.
Yesterday, the Fijian Performing Rights Association encouraged local musicians to follow their dreams after Cava successfully booked a spot on the popular Aussie show.
FPRA music awards coordinator Seru Serevi said local musicians should know they also have a spot among world-class singers.
“Ilisavani becomes the first Fiji national to be on the show (The Voice Australia) after moving to Australia some years back to pursue his music career. Other Fijians who grew up in Australia had achieved similar fetes but Ilisavani is really our first home boy,” Serevi said.
“We congratulate Ilisavani and thank him for promoting Fiji when questioned by the judges and for wearing Fijian designed fashion wear.
“Ilisavani is a great entertainment ambassador for Fiji and we believe he will help tell the world what we have been saying for years, that Fiji is filled with talented young people who just need a break on to the world stage.
“Most musicians tend to be more appreciative of The Voice because given its blind audition nature where the judges don’t see you and can only initially judge you on your vocal skills.
“For Ilisavani to win the vocal praise of the two more successful artistes (Ronan and Jessie) on the show and have them compete for your attention and inclusion on their teams is for us quite an accomplishment.”
Cava will also be present on Saturday at the FPRA music awards night, alongside fellow Fijian Paulini Curuenavuli and Fiji-born Hawaiian-based George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso.
