Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars playing at the Festival International de Louisiane
Background information
Origin	Sierra Leone
Genres	Baskeda, World, African
Years active	2002–present
Website	www.sierraleonesrefugeeallstars.com

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars (also called Refugee All Stars) is a band from Sierra Leone which was formed by a group of refugees displaced to Guinea during the Sierra Leone Civil War. Since their return to Freetown in 2004, the band has toured extensively to raise awareness for humanitarian causes. Their story is documented in the 2005 documentary film Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars.

Their debut album, Living Like a Refugee, was released in Europe on 25 September 2006 and in the US on 26 September 2006.

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars' second studio album, Rise & Shine, was released 23 March 2010 by Cumbancha. The disc was produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos. The album was recorded at Piety Street Studio in New Orleans with local musicians Trombone Shorty, Washboard Chaz and Bonerama all guesting on the album.

The band's third studio album, Radio Salone, was released on 24 April 2012 by Cumbancha. The album was produced by roots reggae, soul and Afrobeat artist Victor Axelrod, a.k.a. Ticklah and recorded at Dunham Studios in Brooklyn, NY.

The movie, albums and world tours helped expand their following, which resulted in the band performing in front of audiences of tens of thousands at New York’s Central Park SummerStage, Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival and the revered Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. On 15 December 2006 they appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show. The All Stars also contributed a song to the Blood Diamond film soundtrack, participated in the U2 tribute album in the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2, and earned praise and backing from Sir Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Ice Cube (an executive producer for the band's documentary film),Angelina Jolie and others inspired by their life-affirming story and captivating music. In one of the "most surreal moments" of their climb to fame, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars opened for Aerosmith at the 12,000 capacity Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.