Backbeat Presents: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars

Born in the midst of a violent, decade-long civil war, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars have found a place of refuge through music, a sense of purpose and a source of power. The band has seen the worst that this world can offer - yet, through their unflinching spirit and joyful sound they celebrate the best in all of us, and thankfully, they are now sharing their message and uplifting music throughout the world.

Near the turn of the 21st century, rebel forces attacked Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone, forcing a panicked mass exodus to neighboring countries. Among the thousands who fled were musicians and future band mates Reuben Koroma and Francis Lamgba (Franco) who connected in a refugee camp in Guinea, West Africa. Along with Reuben's wife Grace they began making music for their fellow refugees, providing a welcome distraction to life in the camps. When the camp was attacked by the Guinean army and citizenry, they were evacuated and relocated to a camp set deep in the remote Guinean countryside. It was there that
the developing band was able to acquire the rusted-out sound system and beat up electric guitars that helped officially launch the group.

In 2006 the band released their debut album "Living Like A Refugee" (Anti Records), one of the most acclaimed world music releases of the past few years. Now the group tours the world (having performed on 5 continents for hundreds of thousands of people) including performances at the Hollywood Bowl, NYC Central Park Summerstage, Bonnaroo, Fuji Rock in Japan, East Coast Blues & Roots Festival in Australia and much more.

In the past year, the group has appeared on Oprah Winfrey, CBS' Sunday Morning, CNN, and NPR's "Talk of the Nation." Their music was featured in the five-time Academy Award-nominated film Blood Diamond starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and they were joined onstage in Nashville by new friends Joe Perry and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, who later asked Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars to open for them at the Mohegan Sun Arena in CT.

Championed by The New York Times, critic Stephen Holden wrote, "As harrowing as these personal tales may be, the music buoying them is uplifting. The cliché bears repeating: music heals and creates community." Now Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars tour the world spreading their message of peace and love in a "can't help but dance" show that fans from all musical backgrounds can enjoy. With a spirited fusion of traditional West African music, roots reggae and rhythmic traditional folk, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars craft music that transforms and uplifts.

[View New Orleans Music Calendar for 07/18/2009]