Tom Mawi is a household name who has played soothing jazz to music lovers in Fiji and around the world.
Mawi, who started his career in the early ’60s, is anticipated to perform at the Golden Dragon Diamond Jubilee on Friday, May 17, at Suva’s Grand Pacific Hotel.
Throughout his career, Mawi has played all kinds of music, including rock and roll, funk, rock genres and R&B.
“In my younger days, while playing at the Golden Dragon, it was one of those things that we had to do,” Mawi said.
“When rock music came out, we all got into it and while I didn’t go deep into it, I fooled around with rock and rock, funk and rock that people used to like dancing to in the ’60s and ’70s.
“All I could remember from back in those days was that everyone was talking about the little Indian boy with long hair who could play guitar like a machine.”
The little Indian boy was Maxi Columbus as Mawi recalled jamming with him but can’t remember when.
“I went along to see Maxie one day and we had a bit of a jam,” he added.
“You know we were each doing our thing, I was already into the jazzy lines while Maxie was playing notes and scales so fast I just freaked out.
“He was good back then and when I heard him a few years ago, he just kept getting better.
“And the thing with Maxie is that he can play jazz if he wants to, he used to play a lot of George Benson stuff back in the day.”
Mawi reminisces about the explosion of ultra-talented musicians in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s in a place he calls “the best music school in the world” – the Golden Dragon.
“I know a lot of people might not agree with me but if you look back in time, every musician who played at the Dragon went on to become well-known for their music,” he said.
“Because you played with the best, you became the best and you had to learn to play everything from country to jazz to funk to rock, blues, rock ‘n roll — you name it, we played it.
“From the days we were there with Samisoni Koroitamudu, my brothers Ben and Simi, right through to when Maxie came along and then Waisea Vatuwaqa, Joe Heritage, Rupeni Davui, Paspatu, Paul Stevens, Tui Ravai, Ezra, Claudie Larry, Robert Verma — there were so many musicians who came out of the Dragon and they really made a name for themselves.”
Mawi said back then there were many talented musicians around but no place to meet and develop their styles.
“There are a lot of talented musicians around but no place where they all can meet and jam and develop their individual styles like we did back in the old days.”
Mawi encourages people to be humble and thankful for being blessed with whatever talents they have.
“Everything we do that is good comes from God and because He has gifted us, we really have nothing to boast about except the way He continues to bless us and encourage us to be the best we can be.”
