Yo-Yo Ma was on The Colbert Report and Charlie Rose, This time he’s talking with TIME.

The famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma has a new album out, Songs of Joy & Peace, and he enlists the help of many musical friends. Yo-Yo Ma’s friends all contribute their own music to his new album like a musical party in celebration of the joys of the holiday season. )It’s like a music potluck.) Some of the artists Ma collaborates with on Songs of Joy & Peace include Jake Shimabukuro, James Taylor Alison Krauss, Renee Fleming, Diana Krall, Chris Botti, Joshua Redman, Sergio and Odair Assad, and Dave and Matt Brubeck. TIME reporter Jeremy Caplan jumps in on the act as well.

Here’s what Yo-Yo Ma says about his new album

“It started with the idea of a party, a party built around the concept of joy and the infinite varieties of joy to be found in the world. But joy can’t exist in our world without the comfort of peace. As we all draw closer and closer together in this world, nothing is more important. So as much as the music in this album is about joy, it is also about peace, about the two operating in tandem.”

To celebrate the release of Songs of Joy & Peace, and in keeping with the theme of coming together in the musical spirit, Yo-Yo Ma teamed up with Indaba Music, the leading collaboration tool and social network for musicians. Ma recorded the melody for Dona Nobis Pacem and made it available for other musicians to record to it — creating a virtual music party. The Indaba Music community will vote for their favorites, and Ma will choose the winner who will have the opportunity to record with him. (This kinda reminds us of the YouTube Symphony Orchestra.)

Buy Yo-Yo Ma’s Songs of Joy & Peace CD

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A Duet with Yo-Yo Ma