Fikira Music
AFRO-FUSION
Live Performance • Cultural Residencies • Audience Dialogue
A Night of Afro-Jazz at the Shedd Institute
Bridging Cultural Divides Through the Living Heritage of Madagascar & Puerto Rico
OVERVIEW
In a cultural landscape where Malagasy music and contemporary Afro-Jazz are virtually non-existent, A Night of Afro-Jazz brings audiences in Eugene and the Willamette Valley an unprecedented live experience and a powerful story of cultural reunion.
This project is built on a profound premise: two distinct musical traditions born from the same African root—one that remained on the island of Madagascar, and one that traveled across the Atlantic to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean diaspora.
Centuries later, co-leaders Fiaindratovo (Mimy) Manavihare (Madagascar) and Uziel Colón (Puerto Rico) bring these sister lineages back into direct conversation on stage. Grounded in sacred native Antandroy Beko vocal chants, traditional Malagasy polyrhythms (Banaike, Tsapike, Salegy), and rich Afro-Puerto Rican jazz harmonies, Fikira Music introduces a first-of-its-kind cultural asset to the Pacific Northwest.
What defines Fikira Music is a commitment to original voice: rather than mimicking conventional jazz standards, the ensemble weaves its distinct ancestral heritage into a fresh, modern acoustic sound that is as intellectually compelling as it is high-energy. If there is one project that defines bringing distinct cultures together on stage, FIKIRA is the solution.
WHAT WE OFFER AT A GLANCE
A Regional Cultural Premiere: Introducing Eugene audiences to authentic Malagasy Beko singing styles and polyrhythmic Afro-Jazz—a musical lineage previously unrepresented in the Willamette Valley.
Live Acoustic Afro-Jazz Concert: A virtuosic, high-energy 4-piece quartet set performing original compositions from the debut album BEKO, perfectly suited for the refined acoustics of the Jaqua Concert Hall.
Q&A & Guided Cultural Conversation: An interactive dialogue with Mimy Manavihare and Uziel Colón built into the event, inviting the audience into an educational exploration of oral preservation, ancestral rhythm, and cross-cultural composition.
THE FORMAT: CONCERT, CONVERSATION, & Q&A
Designed specifically for attentive listening-room environments like The Shedd Institute, A Night of Afro-Jazz goes beyond a traditional performance to offer an interactive cultural exchange. Through music, story-sharing, and an open artist Q&A, audiences are invited to explore the parallel journeys of two African lineages—tracing how ancestral rhythms survived, adapted, and reunited into a vibrant, modern sound.
Who are we?
Fikira Music is a Portland, OR based Afro-jazz fusion ensemble co-led by Malagasy composer, drummer, producer/vocalist Fiaindratovo (Mimy) Manavihare and Puerto Rican pianist/composer Uziel Colón. At its core, Fikira is a virtuosic quartet—piano, trumpet, bass, and drums/vocals—shaping an extraordinary sound at the intersection of ancestral tradition, modern jazz, and global polyrhythms.
The heart of Fikira rests on a compelling musical reunion: two traditions born from the same African root—one that remained on the island of Madagascar, and one that traveled across the Atlantic to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean diaspora. Centuries later, Fikira brings these sister lineages back into direct conversation, weaving native Malagasy rhythms (Banaike, Tsapike, Salegy) with rich Afro-Caribbean, percussion and jazz harmonies.
The foundation of this collaboration began at Berklee College of Music, where Mimy and Uziel first bonded over shared rhythmic languages. That brotherhood continues to expand as they develop ASARA—an ambitious symphonic suite currently in progress that orchestrates these reunited Afro-diasporic rhythms for chamber and full orchestral ensembles.
For Fikira, cultural exchange is not an abstract concept; it is living sound, showing how two distinct paths of the African lineage can reunite, listen deeply, and compose a vibrant shared future.
The Vision & Why Shedd Institute
The Shedd Institute has long established itself as a premier sanctuary for acoustic music, honoring folk lineages and world traditions while celebrating true artistic innovation. Bringing A Night of Afro-Jazz to the Jaqua Concert Hall offers Eugene audiences a rare opportunity to experience living history in real time—watching two distant branches of the African lineage meet, listen, and compose together in live conversation.
Aligning with The Shedd’s Mission & Artistic Vision
This proposal directly supports The Shedd’s commitment to presenting distinct global acoustic traditions and deepening community connection through an integrated concert and dialogue experience:
Concert Performance: A virtuosic, acoustically rich quartet set combining native Antandroy Beko vocal styles and Malagasy polyrhythms (Banaike, Tsapike, Salegy) with Afro-Caribbean jazz composition.
Audience Q&A & Cultural Conversation: A guided exchange built directly into the evening where Mimy Manavihare and Uziel Colón invite the audience into an open dialogue on rhythm, oral preservation, migration, and cross-cultural composition.
Filling a Total Cultural Void in Eugene & the Willamette Valley
While Eugene hosts a deeply attentive listening community, native Antandroy vocal styles, Malagasy polyrhythms, and contemporary Afro-Jazz remain virtually unheard across Central Oregon stages.
Bringing this collaboration to The Shedd gives these rare traditions the platform they deserve—offering local audiences a first-of-its-kind cultural asset that simply cannot be experienced anywhere else in the regional landscape. By refusing to copy existing jazz tropes and instead forging an original voice out of authentic ancestral heritage, FIKIRA is the solution for bringing cultures together on stage.
Interactive Format & Evening Flow
Rather than a passive concert, A Night of Afro-Jazz is structured to break down the barrier between artist and audience through acoustic music, ancestral storytelling, and open conversation.
Key Event Pillars
Live Performance: A dynamic quartet set featuring original compositions from Fikira Music’s debut vinyl album, BEKO—weaving native Antandroy Beko vocal polyphony and traditional Malagasy polyrhythms (Banaike, Tsapike, Salegy) into contemporary Afro-Caribbean jazz.
Integrated Q&A & Storytelling: Dialogue happens organically throughout the performance. Co-leaders Mimy Manavihare and Uziel Colón guide listeners through the stories, migration histories, and rhythmic lineages behind each piece.
Community Connection: Dedicated time following the performance for direct audience engagement, reflection, and physical vinyl album signings in the lobby.
Evening Schedule (75–90 Minutes Total)
Opening Performance: Live Afro-jazz suite featuring original works from BEKO, tailored for the refined acoustics of the Jaqua Concert Hall.
Guided Conversation & Q&A: An open exchange built directly into the program, exploring rhythm, oral preservation, and the reunion of Madagascar and Caribbean lineages.
Closing Set & Community Reception: Final performance movement, followed by artist meet-and-greet and vinyl album signings.
Let’s create something memorable
Every space and community is different, so we’d love to connect with you directly to talk through dates, brainstorm the best presentation format for your stage or room, and answer any questions you might have.
Reach out to Mimy to start the
conversation at:
510-459-5964
mimyfikira@gmail.com
