Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol. 187 - The Classic, “Blue Bossa” Obsession and Vocal Versions

The band I’m part of, "9BOX," is a group that plays electric jazz. One day, a 17-year-old high school girl suddenly joined us. She wanted to play six specific songs, and we decided to cover them and hold a live performance a month later. While simply playing along with chord charts might technically be possible, it left us feeling that the result would fall short of what our audience deserves.

For amateur musicians like us, delivering a polished performance takes a significant amount of time. So, we decided to focus on songs we’ve performed before that already have lyrics. That way, we could leverage the skills we’ve built over the past decade and manage to put on a decent show.

Among the candidates for our setlist were Chick Corea's "Spain," Joe Henderson's "Blue Bossa," and Marlena Shaw’s "Feel Like Makin’ Love." We ultimately decided that starting with "Blue Bossa" would be best, so we began looking for a version of the song with lyrics.

When I searched for "Blue Bossa" on Apple Music, I was astounded by the sheer number of versions available. Dexter Gordon, McCoy Tyner, Pat Martino, Chet Baker, Michel Camilo, Art Farmer, Art Pepper, Makoto Ozone, Yoshitaka Minami, and even Toshiko Akiyoshi—there were around 50 versions in total. Its popularity far exceeded my expectations.

I realized just how much "Blue Bossa" has captured the hearts of musicians everywhere. The origins of "Blue Bossa" trace back to the early 1960s when Joe Henderson encountered his jazz mentor, Kenny Dorham.

■ Recommended Album: Page One by Joe Henderson (1953)

A historic masterpiece released in 1963, Page One by Joe Henderson is a cornerstone of jazz history. Joe Henderson, born in 1937 in the United States, was a tenor saxophonist.
It’s a well-known story that trumpeter Kenny Dorham composed "Blue Bossa" and gifted it to his friend Joe Henderson. Naturally, Kenny Dorham himself participated in this album, contributing his trumpet mastery to the track. Page One became widely recognized as the album that brought "Blue Bossa" into the spotlight.
Joe Henderson revisited "Blue Bossa" throughout his career, often performing and recording it, leaving behind numerous renditions of the classic. Notably, the Japanese Hammond organist KANKAWA invited Henderson to play "Blue Bossa" on one of his own albums. The track also appears on other albums by KANKAWA, underscoring its lasting appeal.
Additionally, Page One features pianist McCoy Tyner, whose distinctive approach adds a unique dimension to the album’s performances.

Recommended Track: Blue Bossa

A quintessential jazz standard, Blue Bossa captivates listeners with its melancholic and saudade-infused melody, which is undoubtedly the song’s greatest charm and the reason it has been beloved by countless musicians. Its relatively straightforward structure makes it a popular choice for jam sessions, where the development of the improvisation—particularly in the modulated bridge (B section)—becomes a showcase of the performer’s skill.

Joe Henderson was a tenor saxophonist rooted in hard bop, a style characterized by its 4-beat jazz foundation. However, his collaboration with funk-influenced jazz pianist Horace Silver on the iconic album Song for My Father suggests that Henderson’s musical scope extended beyond hard bop. True to its title, Blue Bossa is not a 4-beat jazz piece but instead carries the melodic and rhythmic qualities of bossa nova and Latin jazz.

Henderson’s solo on Blue Bossa is a masterclass in restraint, delivering melodic and deeply expressive phrases. Meanwhile, pianist McCoy Tyner’s solo showcases his signature punctuated phrasing, which can also be heard on John Coltrane’s legendary Ballads album, particularly in the track Say It’s.

Recommended Album: Blue Bossa by Adela Dalto (2010)

Adela Dalto is an American singer and composer, and the wife of Jorge Dalto, a keyboardist who was part of George Benson's band.
Her album opens with the track Blue for You, a reimagined version of Blue Bossa with added lyrics and a slight title change. Infused with a rich Latin flavor, the album offers a warm and vibrant listening experience, making it a perfect choice for this time of year.

Recommended Track: Blue for You

Accompanied by fluent gut-string guitar, Adela Dalto’s rendition of Blue Bossa, titled Blue for You, begins with an airy charm. Her light and playful vocals, interwoven with scat singing, create the impression of a pop song rather than a classic jazz standard. While the original Blue Bossa carries a distinct Latin flavor and evokes Brazil’s signature "saudade" (melancholy), Blue for You replaces that wistful tone with a breezy and refreshing quality.
The piano solo features the light timbre of Yamaha DX7-style FM synthesis instead of an acoustic piano, adding to the song’s modern, airy vibe. However, the improvisation adheres to jazz methodologies, maintaining a balance between jazz technique and a pop-like presentation.

Our band has decided to perform this version, with the high school girl in our group taking the lead vocals. Among the various lyrical versions of Blue Bossa, this one stood out as a fresh take with its relatively recent release and pop-oriented arrangement. We believe this accessible style will make it easier for the audience to enjoy without feeling out of place at a jazz performance.

Recommended Album: Spain by Bobby McFerrin & Chick Corea (2013)

A duet album by Bobby McFerrin and Chick Corea, created as part of an anniversary project for iconic record labels like Blue Note. The interplay between the two artists is exceptional, showcasing a profound musical dialogue that feels like a new essence of jazz. This is truly a masterpiece.

Recommended Track: Blue Bossa

The track unfolds with Bobby McFerrin's signature vocal bassline, created by rhythmically tapping his chest while producing deep tones. In response, Chick Corea’s piano begins to "sing," weaving a lyrical melody. The performance is entirely scat-based, without lyrics, but Bobby’s powerful and dynamic scatting leaves one speechless. The duet radiates the sheer brilliance of music, capturing the essence of artistic synergy between the two masters.

Featured Musicians, Albums, and Recommended Tracks

• Artists: Joe Henderson, Bobby McFerrin, Adela Dalto, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, among others
• Albums: Page One, Spain, Blue Bossa
• Recommended Tracks: Blue Bossa, Blue for You

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