Jive Taka: October 2011

Monday, October 31, 2011

Kiribati's Stevie Wonder takes centre stage

Tebuatanga Katabono, also known as Mr Accurate, plays the keyboard during the Kiribati music concert at the Suva Civic Auditorium last Saturday. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU

KIRIBATI's version of Stevie Wonder will be on show at the upcoming roadshow by touring entertainers from the island country.

Tebuatanga Katabono, aka Mr Accurate, is a blind 30-year renowned keyboard player who will showcase his talents tomorrow at the Suva Civic Auditorium.

Katabono said he began his love for music by playing with the guitar after listening to neighbours play every night in his home village in Tarawa.

"I am the only one who plays (music) in the family, not even my parents know music," said the musician.

Katabono started playing the keyboard soon after and said he learnt the keys through listening. "I ran away from home when I was still in primary school to pursue my dreams to be in a band because I loved it (music) so much and I couldn't stay away," he said.

Katabono said he had never looked back since then. "At first my parents were angry with me for not finishing school, but now they're both very proud," he said. The roadshow begins tomorrow in Suva before the entertainers visit other centres in the country.

Team leader and chief executive officer of the Kiribati Broadcasting and Publication Authority, Betarim Rimon said the tour was a tribute to Fiji composers and musicians who had influenced the development of music in Kiribati.

Serelisoni Moceica
Monday, October 31, 2011

Fiji Times

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Concert wows crowd

Tabanea Tabaua and a fan entertain the audience during the Kiribati concert at the Suva Civic Centre yesterday. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU

SUVA's Civic auditorium was packed yesterday as people came out in numbers to witness the first of the Kiribati musical roadshow.

"There has been a long established relationship between Fiji and Kiribati music and we're here to showcase how Fiji music has influenced our own music back home," said spokesman, Aren Baoa. Mr Baoa said the roadshow was organised by the Kiribati Broadcasting and Publication Authority and consisted of all the top musicians from the island country. He said the development of Kiribati music from the more traditional music to the modernised version was largely attributed to the exchange of ideas between the Fiji and Kiribati people.

Chief executive officer of the KBPA, Betarim Rimon, said the tour was a first ever organised for the I-Kiribati musicians and said it was a tribute to Fiji's influence on their music industry. Mr Rimon said part of the experience for the entertainers was playing in front of a new crowd. "It's a different crowd here in Fiji and this is a challenge for some of them who have never been out of the home atmosphere before," Mr Rimon said.

The next stop for the entertainers is Rabi Island on Tuesday before travelling to other parts of the country.

Serelisoni Moceica
Sunday Times (October 30, 2011)