Aina Cook’s musical talents were discovered at the age of thirteen in Madagascar when she was awarded first place in the debut of the national singing competition Pazzapa. She immediately went on to record her first album “Aina”, the first single “Fo Natolotro” grabbing number one in the polls and propelled her to national stardom.

 

After Aina entered high school she began touring more extensively and branched into Europe, performing in multiple cities in France including Paris, Montpelier, and Lyon. During this time she released her second album “Tsy Hanam-pahataperana” which translates to “never-ending”. Aina’s single “Tantara Taloha” was #1 on the national charts winning her “Female Vocalist of the Year” at the RDJ Music Awards and “Music Video of the Year” from the RTA Music Awards.

 

After High School Aina moved to the United States to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she found her way into the Missouri music community through Loyd Warden of A Frame Recording/ Percussion Logic. During this time, Aina collaborated with various ensembles including Chickawa, Dig-nitty, and AKA Voodoo Woman.

 

Currently, Aina is a performing artist based in St. Louis who teaches vocals in her community at School of Rock. She is regularly featured with Al Holliday and the East Side Rhythm band, The Diamond Empire Band, Jane Doe Revue, and Sean Canan’s Voodoo Players. 2018 saw the release of music that Aina, her Father, and Brother had developed for years on the full length album “The Aina Cook Band”. She was recently selected to be featured on the Missouri Blues Society’s 18 for 18 compilation album, and will be joined by St. Louis Jazz Trumpeter Kyle Allen and return to Madagascar in April 2019 for her second performance at the 3rd annual Nosy Be Jazz Festival.