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Published:
2011-10-01
Updated:
2022-11-28

Learning Ukulele with Curt

Blue Bossa

Blue Bossa is an instrumental jazz composition by Kenny Dorham (August 30, 1924 - December 5, 1972). It was introduced on Joe Henderson's 1963 album Page One. A blend of hard bop and bossa nova, the tune was possibly influenced by Dorham's visit to the Rio de Janeiro Jazz Festival in 1961. The tune has since been recorded numerous times by different artists, making it a jazz standard.

Author(s): Publisher: Code: UL430

Main Category: Accessories Main Instrument: Any

2026-08-19

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Blue Bossa

Blue Bossa is an instrumental jazz composition by Kenny Dorham (August 30, 1924 - December 5, 1972). It was introduced on Joe Henderson's 1963 album Page One. A blend of hard bop and bossa nova, the tune was possibly influenced by Dorham's visit to the Rio de Janeiro Jazz Festival in 1961. The tune has since been recorded numerous times by different artists, making it a jazz standard.

Blue Bossa modulates to one additional key from the home key of Cm. In the common key of Cm that Blue Bossa is typically performed in it modulates between the keys of C Minor and Db Major . The key is remembering the triggers to get from one key center to the next.

A Root Movement Analysis chart is below .

More Blue Bossa content below, continue exploring...

History

Blue Bossa is an instrumental jazz composition by Kenny Dorham (August 30, 1924 - December 5, 1972). It was introduced on Joe Henderson's 1963 album Page One. A blend of hard bop and bossa nova, the tune was possibly influenced by Dorham's visit to the Rio de Janeiro Jazz Festival in 1961. The tune has since been recorded numerous times by different artists, making it a jazz standard.

Blue Bossa is a great as one the first several songs that aspiring jazz players should learn.

Blue Bossa

This lessons/song includes: Play-along Lead Sheet, Ukulele TAB of Melody, Melody and Chord Ukulele arrangement, example chords and scales for accompaniment and improv.

Blue Bossa Premium Play-along Track

Traditional head chords with a different solo section.

Premium Play-along Tracks are only available to Premium members and Active/Private Students.

Here is a Demo of Desafinado to get an idea of the quality of these custom play-along tracks.

Play-along Demo: Desafinado

Desafinado — Premium Play-along Track with Guitar Melody Played

I, (Curt) originally created these tracks to perform over for gigs and this was a demo for booking gigs.

These Premium Play-along Tracks are available to LearningUkulele.com and Learning Ukulele with Curt Site Members and are my personal one-of-kind tracks I (Curt) and Chuck Anderson recorded and arranged.

Harmonic Analysis (RMA)

Blue Boss

Here is a scan of my original, from the 1980's Root Movement Analysis (RMA) chart.

An RMA chart allows you to determine the chord functions and an in turn what scale can be used for improvisation.

Notice the modulation between the keys of C Minor and Db Major . With ALL the chord being Full Diatonic to their respective major and minor keys.

A more modern take

You can actually get away with using two(2) scales. C Natural Minor on all the chords in the Cm section and the Db Major scale on the Db section.

Root Movement Analysis (RMA) Chart – 1980s

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Frank Vignola's Blue Bossa Chord Progression Jam