Invitation — Chord Changes & Harmonic Analysis
- Composer:
- Bronislau Kaper
- Year:
- 1952
- Key:
- C minor
- Form:
- ABAC (32 bars)
- Style:
- Jazz Standard
- Tempo:
- 120–200 BPM
A sophisticated Latin-jazz standard with complex chromatic harmony and dramatic melodic contours. Features rich minor tonality and challenging voice leading.
About This Standard
Composed by Bronislau Kaper with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster for the 1952 film Invitation, the tune became a jazz standard through its unusual dark minor tonality and sophisticated harmonic language. Its brooding character and angular melody — quite different from typical Broadway or Hollywood standards — attracted many jazz musicians.
Notable recordings:
- Chet Baker — (various recordings)
- Rahsaan Roland Kirk — (various recordings)
- Widely recorded — (jazz standard with distinctive minor character)
Chord Changes
Notation
Harmonic Analysis
Invitation is a minor-key standard (typically in C minor) with a complex, harmonically rich structure. The tune moves through the minor key with ii-V-i progressions (Dm7b5→G7→Cm) and several chromatic detours to related major key areas. The harmonic language is denser than typical American standards of the era, featuring unexpected chromatic chords that give it a more modern, even cinematic character. Its dark tonality and sophisticated changes reward careful harmonic analysis.