Area musician forms friendship with film star

Finleyville resident Jake Gerba has become friends with actor Jason Momoa. They recently filmed a video where they play some tunes and impersonate each other. Momoa painted Gerba’s beard with mascara and a Sharpie, and Gerba lent him his glasses for the clip.

By TAYLOR BROWN

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It’s not everyone who can say they are friends with Aquaman, but Finleyville resident Jake Gerba is.

Gerba, 29, works at an area grocery store, but plays the bass as a hobby. He first connected with Hollywood star Jason Momoa over the summer through a mutual love of music, specifically the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bass player, Flea. 

Gerba posted a video of himself performing Flea’s best hits over the summer that caught the attention of Momoa, who decided to reach out in search of lessons.

“Jason ended up seeing it and messaged me asking me if I could teach him some of the licks, being he was also a huge Red Hot Chili Peppers/Flea fan,” Gerba said, “and needless to say, I obliged.”

They began exchanging video lessons through Instagram. Gerba sent him instructions and Momoa would send back updates on how he was doing and other requests for songs and techniques he wanted to learn.

The lessons continued throughout the summer, until Gerba found out his long distance star-student would be in town filming a Netflix original movie. 

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