Julian Taylor Releases “Sweet Little Hummingbird” via Chorus of Courage
Chorus of Courage is a space that was created to hold and honour the voices and stories of survivors of violence. They came together as a group and became friends and allies – a supportive family. They created a home to explore some of the most difficult experiences one can imagine – a retreat – and did it with love, music, silence, acceptance, guidance, connection, and movement, hand in hand.
The essence of the project lay in creating a dynamic conversation through music. Initially, the five songwriters collaborated closely with the storytellers to translate their experiences into songs. These songs, along with letters from the storytellers, were then shared with the allies. In response, allies contributed their own songs, fostering a unique call-and-response exchange of emotion and empathy. Through this musical dialogue, the project aims to inspire, amplify voices, and catalyze positive change, uniting participants in a shared journey of resilience and hope.
This project explores the entire spectrum of emotions that is felt through the unique experiences of the ones to honour – the storytellers.
They have shared the first song from the project called “Sweet Little Hummingbird,” a reflection on the lived experience of storyteller Denyse, as interpreted by Toronto folk singer-songwriter Julian Taylor.
The song will be featured on the collaborative album, Always By Your Side, due out on March 22nd (via Dare to Defy Records). It is a moving record that stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of all voices and advocates for a world where voices are heard, honored, and empowered.
Julian explains the song’s origins and Denyse’s story, which moved him to contribute to the catalog of songs that inspire resilience and hope:
“It is a story of abuse and a struggle through pain that was shared with me through a letter she wrote to me and then through conversations we had with one another where she would go into more detail about the trauma that she faced as a young person and how she’s worked through it. The horrible and horrific things that happened to her scared me to the core, and I vowed to keep her story close to my chest and use music and poetry as a way to heal, communicate, and reveal the pure strength and pure resonance she illuminates.”
An Evening with Chorus of Courage
Come and join us for a special evening at the National Arts Centre, where our talented songwriters and allies will present their creations to an intimate audience. Experience the culmination of an emotionally meaningful creative journey, where our storyteller’s experiences and narratives will be held and heard through song and music.
Friday, March 8, 2024
8:00 pm
National Arts Centre
Fourth Stage
1 Elgin Street Ottawa, ON, Canada|
The survivors that are part of this project are the storytellers. They are the heartbeat of this project; they provided all the inspiration and drive to move through the space and time of this project with intention and meaning. Their stories live here, safely, in the arms of love, music, and community.
The brave songwriters embarked on a journey that connected them deeply to the meaning of this project. Through movement, music, silence, and love, they embodied the emotions and invited the whole spectrum of emotion into the space created. In this space, connections are limitless, and truths are shared.
The steadfast allies, stirred by the letters, songs, and stories they received, responded in solidarity, answering with songs that invited us into a dynamic call-and-response dialogue. We move through a musical conversation, coming together through this collective experience of unity and strength.
Stay tuned for more new music.