Graphite Publishing JAM! (Jom-Ayuh-Mari!) - Wong - SATB

Author/Composer:

WONG, TRACY

Instrumentation:

SATB A CAP

Genre:

FOLK/TRADITION

Grade/Level:

MEDIUM-ADVANCED

Model #:

TW-001.2

Composer: Tracy Wong
Format: Choral Octavo
Voicing: SATB a cappella with Body Percussion

JAM! (Jom Ayuh Mari!) is three-way play on words! (1) In Colloquial Malay, Jom, ayuh, and mari all have similar meanings -- "come, let's go!" Nada, in the context of singing, means vocal tone. (2) The catchy, repetitive, and conversation-like musical themes would also suggest a group of musicians coming together to make music (akin to a jam session). (3) "Jam" in Malay also translates to "clock" -- suggesting a passing of time, represented by the consistent snapping of fingers in the music.

In essence, the music is saying "Come, let's go make some music together and sing while passing time! Leave your worries for a while." Each of the words Jom, Ayuh, Mari has its own distinct melodic theme. The body percussions ostinato rhythm, inspired by Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters)' drum groove, brings a sense of unity and contemporary flavour to those varied folk-inspired musical themes.