Recorda-Me — Chord Changes & Harmonic Analysis
- Composer:
- Joe Henderson
- Year:
- 1963
- Key:
- A minor
- Form:
- AB (24 bars)
- Style:
- Hard Bop
- Tempo:
- 140–220 BPM
A classic Joe Henderson composition combining bossa nova feel with hard bop harmony. Features a 16-bar A section with modal minor tonality and an 8-bar contrasting B section.
About This Standard
Composed by Joe Henderson and recorded on his debut Blue Note album Page One (1963) alongside Blue Bossa, Recorda-Me (meaning "Remember Me" in Portuguese) has a Latin bossa nova feel and became a standard in the hard bop and Latin jazz repertoire. Along with Blue Bossa and Ceora, it represents the Latin-influenced strand of 1960s Blue Note hard bop.
Notable recordings:
- Joe Henderson — Page One (1963)
- Widely recorded — (Latin jazz standard)
Chord Changes
Notation
Harmonic Analysis
Recorda-Me is a minor-key Latin jazz standard (typically in A minor) with a bossa nova groove. The form moves through minor ii-V-i progressions (Bm7b5→E7→Am) and related major area harmony, with a gentle Latin rhythmic feel throughout. The harmonic language is straightforward compared to some post-bop pieces, focusing instead on the rhythmic interaction between the jazz feel and the Latin clave. Its accessible changes and appealing groove make it a popular choice for jazz sessions with a Latin flavor.