USA: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars draw on difficult past in sending message of peace
Record ID:
572596
USA: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars draw on difficult past in sending message of peace
- Title: USA: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars draw on difficult past in sending message of peace
- Date: 23rd November 2006
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 22, 2006) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SIERRA LEONE'S REFUGEE ALL STARS PERFORMING AT THE HOLLYWOOD CLUB "THE KNITTING FACTORY" (SOUNDBITE) (English) REUBEN KOROMA, SIERRA LEONE'S REFUGEE ALL STARS MEMBER ON THE REASON THEY STARTED PLAYING MUSIC IN REFUGEE CAMP, SAYING: "Guy, we are in a very difficult situation, we have problems in our mind. But, I don't think sitting idle is going to help us. Now let us come together and play music, form our own group. That might help us." VARIOUS OF SIERRA LEONE'S REFUGEE ALL STARS PERFORMING (SOUNDBITE) (English) REUBEN KOROMA, SIERRA LEONE'S REFUGEE ALL STARS MEMBER ON THE ECLECTIC ENSEMBLE, SAYING: "The age difference in our group does not effect us, because all of us went through the same situation. We just see ourselves the same. The youngest one in our group, was fatherless and motherless and we started fostering him. He sees us as his parents. There is no age difference between families, we just live like a family." MORE OF THE BAND PERFORMING (SOUNDBITE) (English) REUBEN KOROMA, LEAD SINGER OF SIERRA LEONE'S REFUGEE ALL STARS, SAYING: "I believe the only way to change people is to tell them the simple truth. There is power in the simple truth, if I have power more than music the best thing I could do is kick out corruption in my country and try to develop my country so that men can live like a peaceful nation." VARIOUS OF BAND PERFORMING ON STAGE
- Embargoed: 8th December 2006 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVAE2EFQJBDL53Y3O8SNFDRCRPKB
- Story Text: For members of the Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, their recent rise in popularity has gone far beyond their wildest dreams.
The nine member ensemble group played to a packed house in Los Angeles, California on Monday (November 21) at "The Knitting Factory," a trendy Hollywood nightclub.
It's part of the African natives current North American tour in support of their album, "Living Like A Refugee."
The band got their start at a remote refugee camp in Guinea, displaced from family and friends during Sierra Leone's brutal decade-long war.
The decision to turn to music was one made out of necessity explained lead singer Reuben Koroma, who lost both his mother and father as a result of the conflict in his native West African country.
The struggle for survival was captured in a documentary, "The Refugee All Stars Movie" that provided a powerful visual and one that has played at important film festivals.
"Guy, we are in a very difficult situation, we have problems in our mind," said Koroma, in recalling the conversation that led to the band's formation. "But, I don't think sitting idle is going to help us. Now let us come together and play music, form our own group. That might help us."
The band's members range in age from 19 to 49 and come from disparate musical backgrounds, as elements of reggae, hip-hop, soul, R&B, and indigenous West African music can be heard on the latest album.
Koroma said that the common experience as refugees helps blend together any differences of age they might have.
"The age difference in our group does not effect us, because all of us went through the same situation," Koroma told Reuters. "We just see ourselves the same. The youngest one in our group, was fatherless and motherless and we started fostering him. He sees us as his parents. There is no age difference between families, we just live like a family."
So far, response from American audiences to the group has been strong. The musicians in their previous trip to the U.S., played before huge crowds in Washington and New York, where they received standing ovations.
Koroma believes part of their popularity is a result of the message the band brings with it, that peace, not war is the answer.
"I believe the only way to change people is to tell them the simple truth," said Koroma. "There is power in the simple truth, if I have power more than music, the best thing I could do is kick out corruption in my country and try to develop my country so that men can live like a peaceful nation," said Koroma.
With the end of the civil war in 2002 the members of the group may no longer be refugees, but members of the Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars feel the need to bring their message of peace and hope so that others can avoid any similar experiences. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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