Kvitka Cisyk (Kacey Cisyk) was born in New York into a family of Ukrainian émigrés. Her crystalline, warm voice made her one of the most sought-after studio singers in the USA: she sang jingles for the biggest brands (the famous “Have you driven a Ford lately?”), film soundtracks, including the title song of “You Light Up My Life”.
But at heart Kvitka remained Ukrainian. At the peak of her career she recorded, at her own expense, two albums — “Kvitka” and “Two Colors” — exquisite arrangements of Ukrainian folk songs that became a true treasure. These recordings, made with impeccable taste and deep love, introduced the world to the beauty of Ukrainian song. Kvitka died of cancer at 44, leaving behind a voice of unearthly purity and an eternal love for the homeland of her ancestors.
