Fikira Music
AFRO-FUSION
Live Performance • Cultural Residencies • Audience Dialogue
A Night of Afro-Jazz at Strathmore
Bridging Cultural Divides Through the Living Heritage of Madagascar & Puerto Rico
OVERVIEW
At a time when division often overshadows connection, A Night of Afro-Jazz brings audiences in the greater DMV area a transformative story of cultural reunion.
This project is built on a simple yet profound premise: two musical traditions born from the same African root—one that remained on the island of Madagascar, and one that traveled across the ocean to Puerto Rico and the diaspora.
Centuries later, co-leaders Fiaindratovo (Mimy) Manavihare (Madagascar) and Uziel Colón (Puerto Rico) bring these sister traditions back into direct conversation on stage. Grounded in native Antandroy vocal chants, traditional Malagasy rhythms, and rich Afro-Puerto Rican jazz harmonies, Fikira Music shares the vibrant fruits of this reunion with the audience—transforming the performance hall into an inspiring space of living sound, shared history, and mutual discovery.
WHAT WE OFFER AT A GLANCE
Live Afro-Jazz Concert: A high-energy, 4-piece quartet set blending Malagasy vocal polyphony and polyrhythms with Afro-Caribbean jazz improvisation.
Q&A & Guided Cultural Conversation: An interactive dialogue with Mimy Manavihare and Uziel Colón built into the event, inviting the audience into a deeper conversation about migration, rhythm, and heritage.
THE FORMAT: CONCERT, CONVERSATION, & Q&A
Rather than a traditional passive performance, A Night of Afro-Jazz is designed as an interactive cultural exchange. Through music, story-sharing, and an open Q&A with the artists, audiences are invited to explore the parallel journeys of two African lineages—tracing how ancestral rhythms survived, adapted, and reunited on opposite sides of the globe.
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 Strathmore
Strathmore has long established itself as a premier home for global music that honors authenticity while celebrating innovation. Bringing A Night of Afro-Jazz to this stage offers local 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 Strathmore’s Strategic Vision
This proposal directly supports Strathmore’s commitment to presenting distinct world traditions and deepening community connection through an integrated concert and dialogue experience:
Concert Performance: A virtuosic quartet set combining native Antandroy vocal polyphony and Malagasy rhythms (Banaike, Tsapike, Salegy) with Afro-Caribbean jazz composition.
Audience Q&A & Conversation: A guided exchange built directly into the evening where Mimy Manavihare and Uziel Colón invite the audience into an open dialogue on rhythm, migration, and artistic collaboration.
Filling a Cultural Gap in the Capital Region
While the greater D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area hosts a deeply sophisticated global music audience, native Antandroy music and Malagasy rhythms remain virtually unheard on East Coast stages. Bringing this collaboration to Strathmore gives these rare traditions the prestigious platform they deserve, offering local audiences an experience that simply cannot be found anywhere else in the regional landscape.
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 music, storytelling, and conversation.
Key Event Pillars
Live Performance: A virtuosic quartet set featuring original compositions from Fikira Music’s debut vinyl album, BEKO, alongside traditional Malagasy vocal polyphony and 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.
Evening Schedule (75–90 Mins)
Opening Performance: Live Afro-jazz suite featuring original works from BEKO.
Guided Conversation & Q&A: Open exchange on rhythm, heritage, and the reunion of two African lineages.
Closing Set & Community Reception: Final performance movement followed by artist connection 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
