Faanana Jerome Grey is Polynesian Artist of Decade

World renowned Samoan born entertainer Fa’anana Jerome Grey has been awarded the Polynesian Artist of the Decade award by the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in Tacoma Washington .
 
The award was one of the highlights of the Samoan Cultural Week held last month. 25 – 31 July.
 
Organizers said the award recognized the composer of the popular, “We Are Samoa,” song and Fa’anana’s outstanding contribution to the Polynesian music industry over the years with his musical journey spanning over four decades.
 
Fa’anana composed “We are Samoa,” while he and his band Ava were entertaining in what was American Samoa’s top restaurant and bar, Soli’s Restaurant in Pago Pago.
 
He has the distinction of having performed one of his hits for President Jimmy Carter and the US Congress. This was during a US tour by Ava with the all girls Faasao High School in 1980, during which, “We Are Samoa,” was recorded. The song has become an unofficial anthem for the two Samoas.
 
Faanana grew up in Apia to a musical family with some of his sisters forming the Grey Sisters group under the direction of their musical carpenter father Fa’anana Grey.
 
His music has taken the 75 year old across the globe and he continues to keep his musical talents honed, in collaboration with his sons Tinifu and Taumata.