La'u Lupe Ua Lele (feat. Troy Fernandez & Shawn Ishimoto)

Jerome Grey is a multi-talented musician, entertainer, and composer with a personality that exudes warmth, humor, and excitement. Performing with unparalleled versatility in his stage presence and ability to infuse various musical genres, including jazz, Latin, calypso, country, into his original Polynesian compositions.His unique style has been further influenced by legends such as Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Buffett, Harry Belafonte, Julio Iglesias, and Johnny Cash.Jerome traveled throughout the United States and many parts of the world, with extensive performances in Las Vegas.Jerome continues to perform and continues to inspire countless artists around the world. Born in 1947, Jerome became one of the finest entertainers and showmen ever to come from the islands of Samoa. His passion for music was exemplified in his early years. Often seen carrying his guitar to school and taking part in talent quests, he also enjoyed entertaining passers-by on the streets of Apia. Through his songwriting, he hoped to share his cultural pride with the world. In 1970, Pete Syracuse, (an entrepreneur from Newport Beach, California), saw Jerome perform live for the first time in Samoa. He was so impressed by his talent that he offered Jerome a contract to sing in the mainland U.S. In 1971, Jerome became motivated to enhance his innate gifts. He received vocal training in Beverly Hills, under the direction of Roger Wolfe, a man credited for working with celebrities like the late Dean Martin and Tony Bennett. In 1973, Jerome formed a trio called the Samoa Three. They were the first Samoan entertainers to play the elite circuit of Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe, opening for singers including Perry Como and Fats Domino. Later, he would assemble a new group named Ava, which would break many barriers and set standards for the next generation of musicians, becoming the first pop group to emerge from Samoa. In 1977, Jerome and his wife, Emily, moved back to American Samoa where they raised their four children. While performing at his father-in-law’s restaurant, Soli’s, Jerome began to focus more on writing and arranging Samoan music, as he had already done so with “palagi” or Western music. At that time, he wrote well known tunes like Eleni, Naunau I Le Ufi, Siamani, Oute Ofo, Lou Sei Oriana, and of course, We are Samoa—the unofficial Samoan national anthem and Jerome's most famous composition.In fact, one of Jerome's career highlights was the honor of performing We Are Samoa before President Carter and the United States Congress at the White House and Capitol Hill in 1980. In 1989, the Grey family moved to Hawai’i from Samoa, where Jerome performed nightly in beautiful Waikiki, and recorded Sweet Lady of Waiahole and Coconut Woman. Many songs on these successful albums were instant radio hits and well received throughout Polynesia. Jerome fondly remembers a concert he held in 1991 at the historic Aloha Tower, when one of Hawaii’s famous entertainers, Makaha Sons (featuring the late Israel Kamakawiwaole, a.k.a. “Bruddah IZ”), played as an opening act. Jerome currently resides in Southern California, taking time to reminisce on his rich history, while at the same time, continuously striving to reinvent himself. Over the years, he has rightfully earned the respect of his colleagues, and contemporaries with his unforgettable voice, enchanting melodies, and inspiring lyrics. A family man, musician, entertainer, and composer, he wears many hats, but not confined by labels. His legacy will continue to be a mainstay both in Polynesia and around the world for decades to come.