This is a standard that was probably more popular in the 1960s and 1970s than it is today. It was actually written in the 1950s, but has a fresh, happy sound that is more typical of the following decades.
This song is deceptively simple. The melody is interesting and memorable owing to some large interval jumps that remain within the diatonic framework (think "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"). And the song is a very conventional AABA form. But don't get too comfortable in the A section because the B section (bridge) is in a completely different key center, presenting the same kind of challenge you get with tunes like "Have You Met Miss Jones?" The A sections have very familiar changes in the key of F concert. This uses the so-called "backdoor progression." The usual ii-V progression in F would be Gm7-C7-F. The backdoor progression is iV7-bVII7 or Bbm7-Eb7-F. Many songs use this pattern, and it is well worth practicing this, just as you would practice a ii-V. Here is a site that goes into more depth and lists a bunch of tunes where you will find this important little trick. In addition to those jazz standards, there are many pop tunes that use the back door: e.g. Stevie Wonder "It Knocks Me Off my Feet" which goes straight to the back door in measure 3 and Billy Preston's "You Are So Beautiful" which is almost nothing BUT the backdoor progression. So, practice the backdoor pattern to master the A section. Then get ready to go with the flow in the bridge. The first 4 measures are in the key of D major. The next 4 measures are in C major, ending with a C7 to send us back to the key of F for the final A section. Practice your scales in F, D and C to get warned up for this tune (and throw in some Eb practice to handle that backdoor business.)
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Jam to Perdido (Latin style) Perdido is one of the most common tunes called at jam sessions. It is a fairly simple tune of the AABA form. In this case, the three "A" sections and 100% identical. The "B" section follows the "Rhythm" changes (the bridge from "I've got Rhythm"). So it is a relatively simple tune to learn. This song can be played in swing or straight Latin feel, with swing probably being more common. This particular arrangement is in bossa style, so don't play swing 8ths. However, you can impart a 'jazz feel" by emphasizing the offbeats while playing them in straight time. The melody includes triplets, and you can integrate 8th note triplets and quarter note triplets into your improvisation. Don't be surprised if it feels awkward to play this song without swinging the 8ths. That is a good skill to practice. There is a tag that is commonly played after the last chorus of this song. That tag is included in this arrangement. Here is the same song form in a swing style. If you find one of these two styles distinctly more comfortable, that means you need to practice the other style more. Jam to Perdido (Swing style) |