CHICAGO – The magical moment on stage came when the unsurpassed Lynne Jordan, an R & B singer from Chicago, sang the well-known Ukrainian song “Cheremshyna” with Oleh Skrypka, one of Ukraine’s most beloved rock musicians. Ms. Jordan’s excellent band, The Shivers, accompanied the musicians throughout the night at Chicago’s City Winery.
People filled the room to capacity and did not know what to expect from the July 17 event billed as a charity concert to support the Kyiv Mohyla Academy Centers for Psychological Rehabilitation established in Kyiv and in Sloviansk.
Julian Hayda/Borderland Productions
Marta Farion with the general manager of City Winery.
It was an unusual musical show, uniting two cultures, two countries, two extraordinary musicians who presented a majestic performance for a worthy cause. For two hours the audience was treated to the joy of hearing wonderful musicianship, technical excellence and sensitivity by an ensemble that played as seamlessly as if its members had been together for years.
It was a performance one doesn’t forget. And the mood was further enhanced by the social commentary from the singers, who called for support of victims of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. When Ms. Jordan recalled how she and the Shivers had performed in Kyiv’s Independence Square in the year 2000 and commented that Ukrainians are survivors, she began singing the song “I Will Survive.” That moved the audience to sing along and dance. It was the same reaction she had elicited from the massive audience in Kyiv 16 years ago on the square that is now known as Maidan.
Lynne Jordan
The audience wondered whether it was possible to combine such different styles and personalities in one performance. Considering that Mr. Skrypka had arrived in Chicago only the previous night and that the Chicago-based musicians had heard the Ukrainian songs on YouTube only a few days before, it seemed astounding that with only a sound check and a brief exchange of chords before the performance, the artists played together as if they’d done so for years. Backing up Mr. Skrypka on vocals was jazz singer Olha Tsvyntarna from Kyiv, who happened to be in Chicago at the time, and was called upon to perform on the day of the show.
It was a performance by musicians of the highest order, who know the sound of surprise and the feel of improvisation, and have the gift for inventing on the spot. The bluesy voice of Ms. Jordan meshed with the unique throaty sound of Mr. Skrypka, and together with The Shivers they created an original sound.
Oleh Skrypka and Olya Tsvyntarna.
In addition to experiencing the sheer joy of the musical experience, the audience had the opportunity to contribute to a good cause and help Ukrainian soldiers, children and families suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
A million and a half people were forced to leave their homes in the occupied territories of Ukraine and escape to the county’s central and western regions. These are people who lost everything and don’t know what awaits them in the future. These are children who witnessed scenes of horror, violence, injustice and helplessness – not in a movie theater, but with their own eyes in their homes, schools and surroundings.
That is why it is important to support rehabilitation centers staffed by specialists, who can help people in need to cope with their difficulties. These individuals should feel that they have not been abandoned.
This fund-raising event lifted the spirits of the audience, provided a sense of positive energy and brought people of different backgrounds together in mutual support.
Before the night was over, Mr. Skrypka surprised Ms. Jordan while they were both on stage with a rousing call to the audience to sing “Mnohaya Lita,” as he learned it was her birthday. With a majority of Ukrainians comprising the audience and spirits flying high, the sound of the Ukrainian version of “Happy Birthday” became an impromptu chorus that brought Ms. Jordan almost to tears of emotion.
Oleh Skrypka with Roxana Dyka Pylypczak, director of the Hromovytsia Dance Ensemble, and members of the ensemble.
But there was more to come. The audience then showered the performers with ebullient applause for their renditions of the songs “Fever,” “Cheremshyna” and “Sweet Home Chicago” as the finale.
The financial contributions from the audience, and from those who could not attend but donated by mail, was heartening. The success of the fund-raiser would not have been possible without their generosity. The Heritage Foundation and the Selfreliance Foundation, both headquartered in Chicago, were the principal sponsors of the event. The benefit raised $57,000.
This concert was yet another example of the Ukrainian diaspora’s commitment to Ukraine’s independence and freedom, and the cohesion of the Ukrainian American community. The event was also an example of the much-needed implementation of cultural diplomacy, bringing Ukrainian music to the international stage.
Marta Farion is a Chicago attorney who serves as president of the Kyiv Mohyla Foundation. She organized the Chicago Jazz and Blues Festival in the year 2000, where Lynne Jordan and The Shivers performed at Independence Square to an audience of hundreds of thousands.