The Amina Figarova Sextet and the Matsiko World Orphan Choir

Photo courtesy of MCG Jazz Experience the transformative power of music with internationally acclaimed pianist Amina Figarova as she joins forces with the 24-voice Matsiko World Orphan Choir from Liberia for an unforgettable evening. Together, they perform music from their recording, Suite for Africa, which some critics call Figarova’s most significant work to date. This project celebrates African traditions with a contemporary twist. Hailing from Azerbaijan, the New York–based Figarova is an internationally influenced—and recognized—composer, pianist, and bandleader. Those three roles come to the forefront in Figarova’s sextets, bands with a remarkable chemistry that brings her detailed arrangements to life. Every member of the group stands out as a first-rate individual, but their dedication to Figarova’s eclectic and powerful compositions gives this group its depth of feeling and elite status. The Amina Figarova Sextet has been a hit at major festivals, like the Newport Jazz Festival and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Read more about Figarova and the Matsiko World Orphan Choir on her website (opens in a new tab). “Among the most important composers to come into jazz in the new millennium” —JazzTimes “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.” —Dan McClenaghan for All About Jazz The views expressed by performers during this event are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The 2026–27 Performing Arts Series is sponsored by the Musart Society. This program is made possible in part by the Ernest L. and Louise M. Gartner Fund, the P. J. McMyler Musical Endowment Fund, and the Anton and Rose Zverina Music Fund. The Cleveland Museum of Art is funded in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Performing arts programs are supported in part by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts.