Blue Bossa

Kenny Dorham · Key of Cm · AB

Easy · 7 unique chords

Composed by trumpeter Kenny Dorham, "Blue Bossa" first appeared on Joe Henderson's album Page One (1963). Its simple bossa nova feel and minor key ii-V-i make it one of the most accessible standards for beginning jazz players.

Voicing style:

A

Cm7Rootless A

Cm7Rootless A

Fm7Rootless B

Fm7Rootless B

Dø7Rootless A

G7b9Rootless B

Cm7Rootless A

Cm7Rootless A

B

Ebm7Rootless A

Ab7Rootless B

Dbmaj7Rootless A

Dbmaj7Rootless A

Dø7Rootless A

G7b9Rootless B

Cm7Rootless A

Dø7Rootless A

G7b9Rootless B

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Practice this standard

Stage 1Two-Note Shells — Learning Path

Listen to

Joe Henderson — Page One (1963)

McCoy Tyner's piano voicings on this recording set the standard for bossa nova comping.

Chords in this standard

Cm7 Fm7 Dø7 G7b9 Ebm7 Ab7 Dbmaj7

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Harry Warren · Key of Eb

Solar

Miles Davis · Key of Cm

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Johnny Green · Key of Db

My Funny Valentine

Richard Rodgers · Key of Cm

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Bronislaw Kaper · Key of C

Sources & Further Reading

Gioia, The Jazz Standards — Oxford University Press Levine, The Jazz Piano Book — Sher Music Mantooth, Voicings for Jazz Keyboard — Hal Leonard Jazz at Lincoln Center — Education Learn Jazz Standards