Amina Figarova & Matsiko World Orphan Choir: Suite For Africa

Happenstance played a hand in two of pianist Amina Figarova's finest recordings. The first time around it was September Suite (Munich Records, 2005). Though based in the Netherlands at the time, Figarova was staying in New York City when the planes flew into the World Trade Center buildings on September 11th, 2001. The music for the album was her reaction to the event, to the grief and mourning it caused. Heading a superb sextet, she created a beautiful ode to mourning, making something good from the horror of death and destruction. (read a review of September Suite here).

The making of her Suite For Africa has an element of chance, too. Inspired by the students she met during her travels to South Africa, a subsequent airline glitch found her and her husband, flautist Bart Platteau, on a flight with the Matsiko World Orphan Choir, a group of orphaned and at-risk children from the war-ravaged country of Liberia.

A chance came, and Amina Figarova took it. The result is that the pianist's sextet was joined by the glorious 24- piece choir on her 16-minute "Suite For Africa," in addition to five of her intricately arranged instrumental tunes.

In 2022 Figarova released a terrific album entitled Joy (Amfi Records). The title, one small word, captures her artistry. That is unchanged in Suite For Africa. Opening with "Dancing Clouds"—an aptly titled sextet tune—allows the leader to display her light, probing touch. Her arrangements for the band are exquisite. With the exception of flautist Platteau, the ensemble has changed over the years, and Figarova said of an earlier version of her septet—2009's September Suite ensemble—that: "I am just the person who writes the notes," crediting her mates with bringing her music to life. They deserve the credit; every solo on every album she has released brims with inspiration, featuring a spaciousness sitting beside a lively small combo orchestral vibe. But that person who writes the notes and assembles the band and arranges the music—this often majestic and unfailingly gorgeous tapestry—deserves all the kudos that come her way.

The "Suite For Africa, Parts 1 through 3"—"Spirit Africa, Spirit Liberia," "Fifteen As One" and "Forgotten Children"— feature the 24-voice choir. The joy and innocence, the youthful exuberance and the obvious zest for the task at hand are up front, bubbling with an embrace of life, despite the less-than-optimum life circumstances. Combined with Figarova's sextet and the adventuresome playing all around, the music exhibits a joyous and spellbinding listening experience.

No less important are instrumental numbers. Over a long career, Figarova has proved herself a top-level jazz arranger. Suite For Africa sounds somewhat like a pared-down version of trombonist Melba Liston's writing for pianist Randy Weston's big bands combined with the exhilaration of early Hugh Masekela along with the Zulu jive sounds that were born in South Africa. In addition, the soloing—Figarova's piano, Platteu's flutes, Alex Pope Norris's trumpet and flugelhorn, Wayne Escoffery's brawny tenor sax—is magic. As is the entire project.

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