New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Music artists Jim Brickman, Haley & Michaels and Mat & Savanna Shaw have collaborated with the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York to release "Peace Joy Love," a brand new song with an inspiring message of hope. Available now with an accompanying music video, the new track brings awareness to and honors today's Ukrainian Independence Day. All proceeds from downloads and streams of the single will be donated to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's UNITED24 fundraising platform to aid the rebuilding of the country's damaged infrastructure.
Two-time GRAMMY-nominated pianist Jim Brickman, hit-making husband-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 organization dedicated to promoting the art, music and literature of Ukraine. The music video features all the artists involved, bringing together more than 50 singers and musicians including members of the Ukrainian Children's Choir Moloda Dumka, whose innocence captures the power behind the song's message.
Brickman and Mat & Savanna Shaw will also perform the song on Brickman's "A Very Merry Christmas," annual holiday tour celebrating music, love and family. The tour runs from November 27 - December 31. Tour dates are on Brickman's website.
Through the project, inspired by President Zelenskyy'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, says, "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."
"When you add the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka the song becomes an anthem and a chant that you can really take in," shares 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."
Shannon Haley adds, "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."
Says Ukrainian Chorus Dumka NY's acclaimed musical director, Vasyl Hrechynsky, whose sweeping choral arrangement lifts the song: "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, joy and love."
Savanna Shaw describes 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 adds 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."
