Composer Notes
Yeoman Warders Project
Jenny Davis
Yeoman Warders is a metaphor for raising children in a dangerous world – where parents protect and behave as the Queen’s guard, unflinching, loyal and sometimes silent in the face of ignorance, fear, even hatred. It reveals the duty of a parent standing guard where the children are free to thrive – safe in a sanctuary of parental protection, without care or worry.
The trilogy song cycle reflects the Yeoman Warders Project mission:
- Come with Me (track 3), an invitation. Performed by Jovino Santos Neto Trio, vocalists Jenny Davis & Vanessa Littrell. The lyric invites the listener into the world of acceptance, to challenge old beliefs, listen and celebrate the beauty of the truth.
- Yeoman Warders (track 5), a jazz saxophone quartet – score with three movements.The Prelude titled “Utopia Changes” expresses a time of innocence between mother & child in which the belief is strong that no harm will come to the child. Followed by a minor blues, representing the truth unfolding and the “standing guard” in the face of lies, untruths, even hatred. The Interlude reveals the “Mother Bear” anger toward an unsafe culture.
- Rearranged (tracks 4,12), a prayer, scored and orchestrated for string quartet. The album includes two versions: The Sirius String Quartet (live) and a studio version performed by the Jovino Santos Neto piano trio – both tracks with vocals. The lyrics speak (pray) of changing oneself, before asking others to change, confronting the wrenching difficulty to accept, honor (even) love, those who hate children.
