“Recorda Me” is a composition by Joe Henderson, recorded on his 1963 debut album Page One, which also introduced “Blue Bossa.” The title means “remember me,” and the tune’s Latin feel, memorable melody and minor-key harmony have made it a popular choice for jazz ensembles and jam sessions.
The tune is usually played in A minor with a bossa or Latin feel. The A section sits on the tonic minor before moving through a minor ii-V and other chord changes, and the B section shifts into a series of ii-V progressions that travel through different key areas before returning home. Many versions also switch to swing for the solos, so it’s worth practicing both feels.
For improvisation, use A Dorian or A minor over the tonic sections and A harmonic minor over the dominant chord that leads home. In the B section, treat each ii-V as its own key center and connect them with guide tones. Henderson’s own solo blends lyrical melody with bebop lines, and borrowing his rhythmic ideas is a great way to sound authentic.
Practice with a bossa nova play-along and focus on straight eighth notes. Learn the melody by ear from Page One. Then practice the B section’s ii-Vs separately, as they move quickly and are where most players get lost.
Transposing tip: Bb instruments read it in B minor, Eb instruments in F# minor.
Practice checklist for the Recorda Me Lead Sheet PDF: play the melody from memory, play roots through the form, play guide tones, improvise one chorus of chord tones only, and finally record yourself soloing over a play-along. Listening back is the fastest way to spot what to fix next.
Is it hard to play? It’s intermediate, a nice step up from “Blue Bossa.” Recordings to study: Henderson’s Page One original and later live versions. Learn more about the composer on Joe Henderson’s Wikipedia page, and find more Latin jazz lead sheets on Minedit.