In their First NEW YORK | HARLEM performance this talented 24 voice children’s choir of Liberia, performs the New York premiere of AMINA FIGAROVA’S “Suite for Africa!”

The suite, based on African rhythms and Jazz harmonies, is the center-piece of a 90 minute performance that also includes original compositions by the Choir, traditional songs from Liberia, and a special performance taken from the “Jazz Song Book.”

About “Suite for Africa:”

2018, Amina composed a suite for a South African children’s choir and her sextet, which was performed at the “Joy of Jazz” Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa with a student choir from Soweto. Her aspiration was to record this masterpiece with the choir, but due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, it was impossible. However, fate intervened when Amina and Bart found themselves on the same flight from Europe to NYC with the Matsiko World Orphan Choir from Liberia. After conversing with the choir director, they decided to perform and record music together!

THE AMINA FIGAROVA SEXTET with Music Director BART PLATTEAU is a world-class group:

Amina Figarova – Piano

Bart Platteau – Flutes

Alex Pope Norris – Trumpet

Troy Roberts – Tenor Sax

Yasushi Nakamura – Bass

Rudy Royston – Drums

THE CAUSE: The Matsiko World Orphan Choir of Liberia

The Choir is composed of 24 orphaned and at-risk children from Liberia, West Africa. They are spending 12 months performing in churches across the USA to gain 1,000 educational sponsors for their siblings, families, and friends. Prior to leaving Liberia, the choir was interviewed by BBC Worldwide Show for a special program. You can listen to it here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0cvskkh

ABOUT MATSIKO CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL | The Documentary

Matsiko is an independent family-run Non-Government Organisation that supports over 2,000 vulnerable and at-risk children with a complete education. The Children’s Choir of Liberia has recently released an album called “Through These Eyes,” featuring original songs and their distinctive interpretation of traditional African songs, recorded in Monrovia, Liberia. The choir sings about love, hope, joy, and optimism.

The “Matsiko – Let The Children Sing” Documentary Sizzler showcases the inspirational stories, music, and journeys of these incredible kids who have escaped poverty and avoided child trafficking through music and education. The film is filmed by the children, who also provide the music for the soundtrack. The ultimate aim of the film is to provide education to 10,000 children in Liberia. Last year, 92 traffickers were arrested in the USA, with 2,700 children rescued from traffickers in the Americas. If the goals are achieved, 11,000 children will be removed from the threat of child trafficking. To view a “Trailer” see below…