Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars

SIERRA LEONE’S RUFUGEE ALL STARS

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars started playing music together in West African refugee camps while their homeland was being wracked by years of bloody warfare. In just six whirlwind years, the group has gone from being unknown musicians languishing in various refugee camps to being the subject of an acclaimed documentary film, touring the world to support a critically revered album, appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show, and sharing the stage and studio with Aerosmith and other international stars. The musicians that would eventually form Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars are all originally from Freetown, and they were forced to leave the capital city at various times after violent rebel attacks during the horrifying war that forced millions to flee their homes. American filmmakers Zach Niles and Banker White encountered the band in a refugee camp in Guinea and ended up following them for three years as they moved from camp to camp, bringing much needed joy to fellow refugees with their heartfelt performances. The subsequent documentary and album was a critical success and the band continues to share their positive music with the world, releasing their sophomore album on Cumbancha in March of 2010. Recorded in New Orleans and featuring some of the Crescent City’s most illustrious musicians, the album Rise & Shine has led to even further acclaim for a group whose star continues to rise.

“Up to now the We Are The World video and song continues to be hugely popular in Sierra Leone – you can hear it in the bars and restaurants at night, in the taxis and on the ferrys. It was a powerful moment for us and we felt connected to the rest of the world. As survivors of war, the hopeful message of the song still resonates strongly and now as much as ever we need to believe that this positive dream can be a reality. We are so proud to in some way contribute to furthering the We Are The World message.” ~SLRAS~

SONG: ~Jah Mercy~ http://tinyurl.com/UnitedInSong14

ALL ARTISTS