Today we’re very excited to share with you all a song featuring our music students and teachers recorded across seven countries: Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana, Argentina, Brazil, Nepal, and Panama.
Titled “Around the World in a Heartbeat,” and composed by British/Ugandan singer and songwriter James Kakande, it captures the spirit that guides our work: “Music can bring the soul alight.”
Over the past months, learning and recording this song with our students and some of our teachers has been a meaningful journey for everyone involved. The result is a tangible expression of what we strive to do every day, one that we hope will bring a smile to your face and offer a glimpse into what we do.
Ubuntu Music Program, Kigali, Rwanda:
Lead vocals: Yves Muhire
Bass guitar: Nimwiza Bertin & Serge Nuyidukunda
Vocals (choir): Samuel Manizabayo, Celine Uwase, Yves Muhire, Cynthia Umuhoza, Prince Ishimwe, Patience Nteziryayo, Prince Mugisha, Ashraf Hakizimana, Emmy Tuyishimire, Fausia Ingabire, Solange Uwase, Hakim Hakizimana Cyusa, Eloi Manzi, Kevine Irakoze, Cynthia Umuhoza, Angel Umutoni, Hero Smith Ndayisaba, Natasha Umwizerwa, Ornella Ishimwe, Ariella Ineza, Benitha Umwizerwa
Salam Music Program, Bidibidi, Uganda:
Vocals (choir): Anthony Riko, Evelyn Knight, Baiga Nowel, Grace Rihana, Sibit Ladu, Mary Asanti
Adungu: Nelson Abate
Escuelita del Ritmo, Portobelo Panama:
Keyboard: Angel Turibio
Guitar: Mery Ann Ortíz
PFC Diamante, Entre Rios, Argentina:
Drumset: Elena Monzón
Instituto PFC, Curitiba, Brazil:
Tambourine: Anna Klara Leite Silva Santos
Bizung School of Music & Dance:
Percussion: Mohammed Alidu & Fuseini Mohammed
Musica Music Institute, Kathmandu, Nepal:
Violin & viola: Zoya Maharjan, Ojesh Maharjan, Rupak Maharjan, Neeva Bajracharya, Binayak Shakya, Sayan Shakya, Sarthak Man Shakya.
Produced by Playing For Change Foundation and Chudy Sound
Very Special Thanks to:
James Kakande, Mauro Recine, Robert Niyikiza, Samuel Kwizera, Jean Rene Niyibaho, Victor Aluonzi, Mahesh Nakarmi, Patrick Liotta, Franco Brochero, Virginia Martins, Marcelo Bonetto
Let the rain fall down all over we
If the darkness wants to shine
we greet it with smiles and peace
It ain’t everyday you get a perfect day
But when you do you got to show it some lovin’
And take it by the hand and sing your soul
How sweet it is to feel that morning
Those blue skies take away that pain
Musical vibration
Soulful education
Sweeping the nation
One melody, one melody
At a time..
It takes a village to build a village
An idea to change the world
Rain fall to push the flowers
Music can still bring the soul alight
Around the world in a heart beat
Around the world in a heart beat
We take it by the hand
Sing our soul
Bridge
We’re playing with love
We’re playing for change
We’re playing with soul dancing in our veins
Composed by James Kakande
