Yipao was inspired by the vibrant traditions and complex history of Armenia, Colombia, where my mother grew up and where much of my family still lives. The piece takes its name from the famous "Yipao" parade, a lively celebration where jeeps—stacked high with goods, coffee, and even people—race through the streets, performing daring tricks and embodying the community’s joyful, resilient spirit. I had the chance to witness the parade firsthand when I was younger, and the thrill of the spinning jeeps, machete-swinging performers, and pulsing crowds left a deep impression on me.
While Yipao captures the energy and excitement of the parade, it also acknowledges the recent hardships faced by Colombia. In 2021, protests erupted across the country in response to the government’s failure to provide resources during the pandemic, revealing longstanding issues of inequality and corruption. At vigils honoring those who lost their lives during the protests, songs of mourning and hope echoed through the streets. One of these songs is quoted directly by a solo trombone early in the piece and serves as the foundation for much of the musical material that follows, appearing in transformed and reimagined ways throughout.
Musically, Yipao blends Afro-Latin jazz influences with colorful, lyrical writing, rich in extended harmonies, counterpoint, and sharp contrasts between vibrant rhythmic energy and more dissonant, introspective moments. The parade and vigil imagery are not separated into distinct sections but are woven together, reflecting how celebration and mourning often coexist in real life.
This piece is a tribute both to the enduring spirit of Armenia and to the memory of those who have fought—and continue to fight—for a better future.
Recorded by Maxwell Fuster - Mastered by Tom Pulcinella