Photo: Robert Hale

VALERIE GHENT shows support for the people of Ukraine with her new single ‘When the Birds Stop Singing’

When the Birds Stopped Singing is an anti-war song I wrote in March 2022 at the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Some of my ancestors come from Ukraine and Russia, and my grandmother and her sisters fled St. Petersburg on foot in 1919. I’ve often wondered what my grandmother went through in order to survive, suddenly I could feel her pain in the eyes of Ukrainian mothers, grandparents and children fleeing their homes.

I am donating proceeds of “When the Birds Stop Singing” to Ukrainian nonprofit Prostir Radity, who provide an innovative healing program for children in Ukraine impacted by the war.

To contribute and help children in Ukraine, download the song on Bandcamp where you can give as much as you’d like: https://valerieghent.bandcamp.com/track/when-the-birds-stopped-singing Please give generously!

My heartfelt gratitude to Bashiri Johnson (percussion), Bar Scott (backing vocals), Dave Eggar (cellos), Phil Faconti (guitar), Jérôme Buigues (mix), Greg Calbi (mastering), and Alyona Chukanova. This music wouldn’t exist without you.

Song links:
Glowing review in XSNoize “Music with meaning” – https://www.xsnoize.com/valerie-ghent-shows-support-for-the-people-of-ukraine-with-her-new-single-when-the-birds-stop-singing/
BandCamp: https://valerieghent.bandcamp.com/track/when-the-birds-stopped-singing – contribute as much as you can to support children in Ukraine

More info on Valerie’s website: https://valghent.com/when-the-birds-stopped-singing/

Valerie Ghent Artist Bio:

Recording artist Valerie Ghent is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, musician, producer and engineer from New York City. An outstanding live performer with an ethereal, evocative voice, Valerie weaves together blues, soul and jazz into a breathtaking tapestry of “soul-stirring, uplifting songs full of vitality and joy.” Longtime keyboardist/vocalist with music legends Ashford & Simpson, Valerie has worked with music luminaries and icons Nina Simone, Dr. Maya Angelou, Roberta Flack, Billy Preston and Debbie Harry (Blondie), among others. As solo artist Valerie has released five albums, including Day to Day Dream, which launched her #1 hit song, Love Enough for a Lifetime. Her album Velours launched New York City Streets, hailed by critics as a “New Anthem for NYC”. Valerie tours and records in France several times each year, where her single Feelin’ Alright reached #1 on Jazz Radio France. Her newest release is the anti-war song, When the Birds Stopped Singing.

A native New Yorker, Valerie grew up in SoHo and Greenwich Village. Born into a musical family, Valerie began writing songs as a child, recording in her father’s electronic music studio, absorbing her mother’s string quartet rehearsals and falling asleep to the music of Ornette Coleman, who lived and rehearsed in the same building. valerieghent.com

“Ghent, herself, is a vocal phenomenon…she has the professionalism and rippling, effervescent energy of a top pop/rock star.” – NY Cabaret Today

“Valerie Ghent, la Dame de New York – Il est rare de trouver une voix aussi singulière et une maîtrise du rythme aussi pertinente.”- La Marseillaise