Jerome Grey

Jerome Grey
Born

March 23, 1947

birth_place = Apia, Western Samoa (now called) Samoa
Occupation Singer, songwriter, musician, publisher
Spouse(s) Emily
Children Tinifuloa, Sisavaai, Anamativa, Taumata and Julie
Parent(s) Fa'anana Henry Grey and Toeasonaimoamoa Christina Trood Grey

Jerome Grey is an American singer, musician, and composer born on March 23, 1947 in Apia, Western Samoa. He became one of the finest entertainers and showmen ever to come out of Samoa. His father Henry Fa'anana Grey was adopted by Charlie Grey of Fiji who owned a building business, where he trained as a carpenter and later became supervisor for the government til his death. Christina Toeaso, Jerome's mother was the grand-daughter of the late Thomas Trood, the British-Vice Consul of Western Samoa in the early 1900's. He wrote well known tunes like Eleni, Naunau I Le Ufi, Siamani, Olaga O Samoa, Lo'u Sei Oriana, and of course, We Are Samoa - the unofficial Samoan national anthem and Jerome's most famous composition.

Biographical

Jerome Grey is a veteran musician based in California. The song he wrote, "We are Samoa" proved to be highly popular and became an unofficial national anthem for the country. Among the musicians he has worked with are Samoa Three, Duke Viena and Harry Sinapi, touring the West Coast, Alaska, Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe lounges under the management of Jim Slemons and George Soares and Associates in Hollywood. The Ava Band, Harry Miller and Aleki Fuimaono. Pierre Clemens owner of Rendevouz Recordings and keyboardist for eight of his recordings in Hawaii, including Denny Hemmingson, the steel guitarist and studio musician who is now currently working for a big name country star in Nashville.

He has released recordings on the Hibiscus Recordsbased in New Zealand. His first recording as a single was Olaga O Samoa. Samoa three the group he started in 1971 was a popular trio who played contemporary, oldies, ballads like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis and were best known for their versatility in cultural songs, from Spanish to Latin, Hawaiian, Tahitian, Fijian. and raised the house with his rendition of the Havana Gila. Jeromes passion was country. He oved the humour, the way they told their stories about simple everyday life. He enjoyed singing Johnny Cash, George Strait, Kenny Rogers and Glenn Campbell he was right at home with their music. As traveling musicians only in their twenties and getting use to the life away from home, there was still a lot of music to learn as well as life itself. With two children and his wife he returned to Samoa to help with his father in-law's restaurant, Soli's and there he decided to do a recording of island songs. The Ava band LP was released on Bluewater Records and was produced by Frank Day and executive producer Tom Moffatt. They recorded two albums in Hawaii and Hollywood at Conway Records owned by recording artist Helen Reddy who was a personal friend of Frank Day the Producer.

In January of 2007 Jerome suffered a mild stroke while working at Mai Tai in Long Beach, California. Music was his life and it was a difficult time for him, there was a lot of work to do still. Recording more music, spending time with his children, grandchildren, and missing his mother who was ill and bed-ridden at 91 years old who lived in Apia, Samoa. He was grateful and thankful God spared his life and gave him another chance to complete his work as a father and son who wanted nothing more than to be with his mother. Doctor Lee instructed him to continue reading, singing, and walking and regular visits to check on his improvement. With the grace of God, Blessed Mother Mary and help of his family they were able to rehabilitate him back to health. After four months he was back to work, still not a 100% but slowly improving one day at a time. [1]

His eldest son Tinifu Loa Grey is also a singer, composer and musician in his own right[2] His youngest son is Taumata who is the lead guitarist for Common Kings.

Releases

45 RPM EP

Albums

The Ava Band

33 RPM LP

Links

References

  1. ↑ wsamoa.ws Jerome Grey Trio Slated to Release Their Debut Album
  2. ↑ Tini Grey Website About Tini Grey
  3. ↑ Island Beats Jerome Grey We Are Samoa
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