Genres

From: Oceania > Papua New Guinea, South Pacific

Genres: Papua New Guinea Stringbands, Polynesian String Bands, Traditional

Laisa Vulakoro

Laisa Vulakoro, the Vude Queen, is one of the most popular singers of all time in Fiji. Vude, pronounced `vu-n-day' is the music beat that is unique to Fiji - a combination of Disco, Rock, Country and Island Style. The beat derives from the traditional `Meke' or dance sound.

Laisa has been singing for almost 20 years and with 16 published albums to her name has written and arranged most of her songs. Born on the remote island of Yacata in Fiji with a population of only 150, no running water or electricity, she is the youngest girl of a family of 8 girls and 6 boys.

Her late father, Delai, was a choir-master and lay preacher of their church. Everyone in the family sang in the church. Her late father and a few of her brothers are also song-writers. Her band in Fiji includes mainly family members.

Laisa is currently a Director of the Fiji Performing Rights Association, which is a non-profit organization that protects the rights of composers in Fiji. She has toured most of the Pacific Islands, including Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Hawaii and the Solomon Islands. She has also toured North America, Australia and New Zealand and London. She has performed in most of the top Resorts in Fiji and for many years was the resident singer at the Regent of Fiji and the Sheraton Fiji Resort.

Laisa is a Charity Worker who has donated her time and talent towards helping underprivileged women and children and is a `Champion' of promoting young talent, especially with the Blind School, Hilton Special School and various orphanages around Fiji.

In recognition of her tireless contribution to charity, she was awarded a Fiji Independence Medal in 1996, given only to outstanding Fiji Citizens and in 2003 the French Government awarded her the title of Chevallier of Fine Art and Literature.

Laisa was named by a well-known columnist in Fiji as "Fiji's Living National Treasure" in recognition of her ability to bring people from all races and diverse backgrounds together through her music.

Her versatility and talent enables her to sing many styles of music and her stage presence makes her the complete entertainer.
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Laisa Vulakoro

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Laisa Live in Savusavu

We had the great pleasure of travelling the Fijian countryside with Laisa. An incredibly warm and gregarious woman, everywhere we went, even in the smallest village, everyone greeted her by name. Our last full day in Savusavu we arranged for Laisa to do an acoustic recording session at the Hot Springs Hotel. A CalabashMusic exclusive, this album was recorded during a lull at the 2004 South Pacific World Music Festival in Savusavu, Fiji. Laisa, Simione Rova (from Black Rose) and Marika Nakete (Laisa’s nephew) grabbed a couple of guitars and retreated to a quiet room at our hotel. They then proceeded to lay down a sublime set of original tunes by Laisa, some of which have never been recorded before.

Indicates Most Popular Song