WHEN Nestor Omari sings, he is at peace.
The Sunshine West resident formed a 10-member band called Jerusalem Gospel Rumba around three years ago.
Mr Omari arrived in Australia in 2009 as a refugee from the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“I enjoy singing because music makes me happy. I lost my mother, father, my first wife and son in the war,” Mr Omari said.
“With my friends when I sing, I’m happy and I give people the message of happiness, peace and love with music.
Before Mr Otari came to Australia, he lived in a Zimbabwe refugee camp for five years.
“When I came to Australia I made lots of friends and I train them to sing,” he said.
Members of Mr Otari’s gospel group come from Maribyrnong, Werribee, Dandenong and Shepparton.
On Saturday they will perform at Kindred Studios in Yarraville for a ‘Save Live Australia’s Music’ (SLAM) event.
Every year on 23 February, SLAM shows are held across Australia to support small venues and local bands.
Mr Otari said he also hoped to organise another concert to commemorate the annual Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Independence Day on 30 June
Mr Otari said he would like the day to feature traditional music from the Mbondo people in the country’s east, to educate younger African generations and remind people of their homeland.
The SLAM event will be on 8pm-midnight at the Kindred Studios, 212A Whitehall St, Yarraville. Entry: $5. See www.facebook.com/kindredstudios for more information.
