BEST known by his stage name Fer Kenobii – earned for his distinctive Star Wars inspired dress sense – Limerick’s jazz Jedi Luis Fernando Sanchez Garcia left Mexico City for Limerick City in search of a career in music.
He needed the world to know what he could do, so he packed his belongings, headed for the Treaty City, and soon found himself busking its busy streets and bars a long way from home.
Well known about Limerick for his unique fashion sense – passing through the streets in full Jedi garb from the Star Wars franchise – Fernando is instantly recognisable.
“Since I was a child I always loved the traditional Japanese costumes from the Edo period. Beside that, I was also a huge Star Wars fan, and the two looks are very alike,” he explains of his signature look.
“Two years ago, when I quit my job to become a full-time musician, I realised I had the opportunity to be myself in every way possible, including with clothes. Putting on this costume forces me to stop thinking what others might think of me and the freedom that comes from that again gives me freedom on stage and with the music I play.”
Like many musicians, Fernando’s journey began in his youth, at the tender age of 11. What set him apart, he says, was his innate sense of melody.
By the age of 17, Fernando had fallen head over heels in love with music. By 18, he embarked on musical studies full time.
Fernando felt that moving to Ireland might lead to the big breakthrough he had been dreaming of. Once he landed on Irish soil, however, he encountered a big obstacle – the language barrier.
“The beginning was very hard for me because I really struggled to understand people. But as I gained a better understanding of English, I managed to speak to Limerick locals more, and now they recognise me when I’m playing at the Milk Market or in a pub.”
The next challenge was connecting with other musicians. Lucky for Fernando, Paddy Mulcahy, leader of the Irish-Latin fusion group Los Paddys, saw his musical potential and invited him to perform at a festival in Ennis.
It wasn’t long before Fernando became a full member of the groun, going on to play with them in Germany, France, and across Europe.
These days, Fernando can still be found filling the streets of Limerick with the sound of his jazzy stylings, adding his own flavour of Mexico to Limerick’s melting pot.
Looking back on his experience in Limerick so far, Fernando says “I’ve never felt more accepted in society as a musician”.
Fernando plays live in Limerick every week, playing traditional music at the Commercial Bar from 8.30pm on Tuesdays, at the Glen Tavern on Wednesdays from 9pm, and Fridays from 12pm at the Milk Market.
This story is part of the Tell Your Own Story (TYOS) project. Published monthly, in collaboration with the Limerick Post, TYOS shares the stories of Limerick people of all backgrounds and abilities in the hopes of encouraging unity in diversity. For more information, visit tyos.ie.
by Isolde Quirante and Galia Xiomara Agudelo
