ARTISTS COLLABORATE WITH THE UKRAINIAN CHORUS DUMKA OF NEW YORK FOR UPLIFTING NEW ANTHEM ‘PEACE JOY LOVE’
Released To Mark Ukrainian Independence Day (Aug 24th), Available To Stream Now
LONDON, U.K. / NEW YORK, NY. – (19th August, 2022) – Artists across the United States have banded together to collaborate with the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York, to record a brand new song with an inspiring message of hope, ‘Peace Joy Love’, which is released today.
2x GRAMMY-nominated pianist Jim Brickman, hit-making husband and wife duo Haley & Michaels, and #1 selling father-daughter duo Mat and Savanna Shaw collaborated with the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka NY on the recording and came together in New York to create a unique and moving video, filmed in the historic surroundings of The Ukrainian Institute of America, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the art, music and literature of Ukraine.
All proceeds from downloads and streams of the single will be donated to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s UNITED24 fundraising platform to aid the rebuilding of the country’s damaged infrastructure.
Through the project, inspired by President Zelensky’s speech at the 2022 Grammys, calling musicians to “fill the silence with music,” the artists hope to bring a positive and hopeful message.
Ryan Michaels, who produced the project, said “It’s important to us as artists and songwriters to use our voice and platform to do everything we can and speak up against injustice. It has been an incredible honor to work with Vasyl [Hrechynsky], the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka and so many talented artists.”
Shannon Haley added, “We wrote this song to send a message of peace and hope into the world as we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”
Ukrainian Chorus Dumka NY’s acclaimed musical director, Vasyl Hrechynsky, whose sweeping choral arrangement lifts the song, said: “The lyrics are so timely, given that Ukraine is fighting a war since Russia’s invasion. This is an especially difficult time because Ukraine is the native country of the majority of the members of the chorus. I hope and pray that the lives of the Ukrainian people will once again be filled with peace, love and joy.”
Savanna Shaw described the song as a “message of what we hope the world will become and invites everyone who listens to take action,” while her father and duo partner Mat Shaw added that “music is really powerful in its ability to help people process difficult situations, and it helps us heal and unite us in a cause. This one is especially important – we are so privileged to be part of this.”
The music video features all the artists involved, bringing together more than fifty singers and musicians including members of the Ukrainian Children’s Chorus Moloda of New York, whose innocence captures the power behind the song’s message. It will be premiering exclusively on People.com this Wednesday, Aug 24.
“When you add the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka the song becomes an anthem and a chant that you can really take in,” shared Brickman. “It’s rare to have so many talented collaborators work so beautifully together – and that’s part of what makes this project so meaningful.”
‘Peace Joy Love’ – Jim Brickman, Haley & Michaels, Mat and Savanna Shaw, FT. Ukrainian Chorus Dumka NY, is out today worldwide. Stream or download the song here.
ABOUT THE UKRAINIAN CHORUS DUMKA OF NEW YORK:
For 70 years the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York has enriched the cultural and spiritual life of the Ukrainian diaspora while also generating enthusiasm in the American and European public, including through a recent performance of ‘Prayer For Ukraine’, which opened an episode of Saturday Night Live.
With a wide repertoire, including Ukrainian folk, classical and sacred music, the chorus has performed at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Town Hall, Madison Square Garden, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., the PNC Bank Arts Center in New Jersey, as well as concert halls of many European capitals, among them, the Royal Albert Hall in London.
In 1990, the Chorus made a successful concert tour of England, Austria, Germany, France and Ukraine where it was received with great enthusiasm in Kyiv, Lviv, Poltava, and Kaniv. The first musical director of the Chorus was L. Krushelnycky. His work was continued by O. Mykytiuk, R. Stepaniak, I. Zukowsky, I. Zadorozny, I. Sonevycky, A. Bernyk and S. Komirny. Since 1991 “Dumka” has performed under the direction of Vasyl Hrechynsky.
The Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York consists of approximately 50-60 members, and performs at various venues throughout the year.
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ABOUT JIM BRICKMAN:
Jim Brickman’s distinctive piano style and captivating live performances, have revolutionised the popularity of instrumental music, making him a driving force behind modern American music.
The hit-making songwriter is the best-selling solo pianist of our time, earning 22 Number One albums and 32 Top 20 Radio Singles. He’s garnered two Grammy nominations, Gospel Music’s Dove Award, two SESAC Songwriter of the Year Awards, a Canadian Country Music Award, and is a member of Pandora’s “2 Billion Streams” Club.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Brickman is one of pop-music’s most fascinating success stories. He jumped from a career as a jingle writer of famous tunes for advertising, to reviving the romantic standard of the popular song. His first album release was 1995’s “No Words,” and he’s gone on to sell ten million albums worldwide.
His star-studded vocal collaborations have featured artists like Lady A, Carly Simon, Martina McBride, Michael W. Smith, Herb Alpert, Michael Bolton, Donny Osmond, Kenny Rogers, Olivia Newton-John, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Loggins, and Five For Fighting.
He’s written three best-selling books, starred in five TV concert specials, and is in the 22nd season of hosting the popular syndicated radio show: “The Jim Brickman Show.”
Hope, faith and peace are truly at the heart of Jim Brickman’s passionate songwriting. “I write music to be shared — to soothe, to inspire, to celebrate, to love. To me, music is the pure and simple soundtrack to life’s most memorable moments.”
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ABOUT HALEY & MICHAELS:
Named one of Rolling Stone’s “Artists You Need to Know”, Haley & Michaels are known for their strong, blended vocal harmonies and their relatable lyrics. Capturing the vision of both Shannon Haley and Ryan Michaels, they sharpen a fresh, arena-size sound and embody what it means to be a pure duo on stage and off.
Following their emergence with the breakout single ‘Giving It All (To You)’, the pair has generated over 50 million online streams in addition to landing on marquee Spotify and Apple Music playlists. They have appeared three times on NBC’s “TODAY”, earning a fan in Hoda Kotb, and have had multiple top 10 singles on Sirius XM.
After signing to Sony Music Publishing, they released their first full-length studio album, titled Hail Mary. Following the title track’s original debut in the Netflix film Walk. Ride. Rodeo, the song was picked up by the duo’s hometown San Francisco 49ers with a music video directed and produced by the team, leading to a Monday Night Football halftime performance in October at Levi’s Stadium and kicking off a series of performances within the NFL.
They are passionate about using their platform and their music to advocate for social justice and causes they believe in, collaborating with Me Too Movement Founder, Tarana Burke on their song ‘Me Too’.
The duo finished 2019 charting on Billboard and they are on the rise with recent features in TIME, The New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today. They are currently working on their sophomore album, which will include multiple special collaborations, including ‘Peace, Joy, Love’.
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ABOUT MAT AND SAVANNA SHAW:
Mat and Savanna Shaw are a father-daughter duo from Utah that rose to prominence during the COVID-19 quarantine. Normally a shy and private teenager, Savanna asked her dad to join her in singing “The Prayer” and uploaded it to social media.
After that video went viral, Mat and Savanna continued releasing duets on social media and streaming platforms, with singles charting in both the US and UK. They quickly garnered a worldwide following, now resulting in over 600,000 YouTube subscribers. In October of 2020, their first album “Picture This” debuted at #1 on the iTunes Pop Chart and #1 on multiple Billboard charts. They have now released a total of four albums, all of which have debuted at the top of iTunes, Amazon, and Billboard charts worldwide. The New York Times said they “harmonize into billowy bliss.” Kelly Clarkson called them “incredibly gifted,” and Good Morning America said “this father daughter duo’s music is bringing hope.”
Mat and Savanna’s uplifting song choices and harmonies have inspired people the world over. They have a passion for using music for good – often supporting charities, good causes, and providing inspiration with their performances. Their goal and mission is to share hope and spread joy through music.
Jim Brickman and Mat & Savanna are preparing to spread ‘Peace Joy Love’ live in concert across the U.S. this Christmas – full tour dates here.
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