Yes, We Want It!

Yes, We Want It!

Apr. 2025

Composition For:

trumpet, small jazz ensemble, all instruments

Composition Details

This composition is 130 BPM and is in 7/4 time. The intro and outro use what I call a ‘back door’ chord progression (b6 - b7 to I). The solo form is 26 measures long.

Musical Inspiration

I have been playing Steve Swallows “Falling Grace” a lot lately and have been experimenting with non-standard solo forms. Some of the chord movements were influences by parts of that composition.

The opening theme of the melody comes from a Christmas song written by John Lennon. In the song, the children sing in the background “War is over, if you want it”. The title of this composition take inspiration from these lyrics as well.

Background

Peace is so important. I have been blessed to have lived so long to have not yet witnessed the atrocities of war. But the winds have changed recently with the ongoing war in Ukraine, and now more than ever, I feel compelled to bring awareness to the fact that war is awful and should be ended as soon as possible and avoided at all costs. There are no winners in war, only losers.

When I lived in Montreal in 2010, I went to exhibition in Montreal which displayed their work of Yoko Ono and John Lennon. There was the exact installation there that led to John Lennon falling in love with Yoko. A ladder with the word “Yes” written on the ceiling. Sometimes a simple message can be enough for love.

One of the work presented at this museum was their poster “War is over”

poster reading War is over if you want it

While many people (including my mom) questioned the positive impact of Yoko Ono and John Lennon's campaign, I found inspiration in how simple and direct the message is. It is on of empowerment: YOU can end this war.

The title of this piece is a continuation of this message. War is over if you want it: “Yes, we want it!” We want all wars to be over.

I will be proud to spread the message of peace with this composition

IRL Inspiration

I wrote this song in one day feeling inspired by the opportunity to play with Dima Sybir at a jam session. Dima is a great trumpet player and I feel very lucky to share the stage with him.

Dima has agreed to play the premier of this composition at Tellerand in Nuremberg on April 22, 2025.