Ceora — Chord Changes & Harmonic Analysis
- Composer:
- Lee Morgan
- Year:
- 1965
- Key:
- Ab major
- Form:
- AABA (32 bars)
- Style:
- Hard Bop
- Tempo:
- 120–160 BPM
A beautiful bossa nova with a flowing melody and modal harmony. Lee Morgan's composition features a sophisticated blend of Latin rhythms and modern jazz harmony, creating an accessible yet challenging piece.
About This Standard
Composed by trumpeter Lee Morgan and recorded on his Blue Note album Cornbread (1965), Ceora is a lush, slow ballad with a bossa nova-influenced feel. Named after Morgan's companion Ceora, it stands out in his catalog for its tender, lyrical character — a contrast to the hard-driving bebop and hard bop for which Morgan is better known.
Notable recordings:
- Lee Morgan — Cornbread (1965)
- Widely recorded — (popular jazz ballad)
Chord Changes
Notation
Harmonic Analysis
Ceora is an AABA standard in Ab major with a gentle bossa nova feel. The A sections feature warm major ii-V-I progressions with extended voicings (Bbm7→Eb7→Abmaj7) and some chromatic passing chords that give the tune its lush character. The bridge moves through contrasting harmonic territory before returning home. Its relatively straightforward harmonic language and song-like quality make it accessible while rewarding nuanced, lyrical playing.