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A sample from Play Like Me's Manha de Carnaval
“Manha de Carnaval” is considered to be one of the most important Brazilian jazz songs that helped establish the
Bossa Nova movement in the late 1950s. Bill selected this to be the first song to complement the Play Like Me
system for a number of important reasons. First, the song is truly a jazz classic, fun to play and sounds great. Its
also a great example of many of the key chord concepts taught in the Play Like Me approach and uses many chord
changes you'll find in other great jazz songs. And lastly, with a beautiful straight forward melody, you'll be able to
quickly learn the basics of this song.
Written and recorded by Brazilian guitarist and composer, Luiz Bonfa, Manha de Carnaval is probably the best-
known song from the award winning 1958 movie, ”ORFEU NEGRO” or “Black Orpheus,” which won the Oscar for
best foreign film in 1959 and helped give birth to Brazil's “cinema novo” movement.
“Manha de Carnaval” continues to be a very popular jazz standard recorded by artists from Latin jazz star, Tito
Puente, to fusion guitarist, John McLaughlin. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, “Manha de
Carnaval” is one of the top ten songs played around the world. Because of its close association with the movie, the
song is also known as “Black Orpheus,” “Song de Orpheo” or “Morning of the Carnaval.”
The song is also known as "A Day in the Life of a Fool" It was recorded by Jack Jones with new words by Carl
Sigman on the album “JACK JONES SINGS” (Kapp KS-3500). Frank Sinatra and Joan Baez also recorded “Manha
de Carnaval” in the '60s. More recently the song has been recorded by Police guitarist, Andy Summers as well as
classical singers Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.
“Manha de Carnaval” is a great example of the Brazilian jazz style of bossa nova or new rhythm. Shortly before the
movie, Antonio Carlos Jobim (and Newton Mendonca) released the album “Desafinado”, featuring this new bossa
nova style. They blended traditional Brazilian music with jazz chords with lyrics sung by Joao Gilberto. This new
sound featured a 4 on 3 stammering rhythm. With the success of the movie, this new style of jazz gained even
greater recognition and popularity. This popularity was fueled by a string of international hits by Jobim, Bonfa as
well as more traditional jazz artists such as Stan Getz.
Unlike Samba which is highly percussive and very hot in emotion, bossa nova is cool and contains a lyrical or simple
story. The bossa nova movement was influenced by the sounds of west coast jazz in the 1950s. Joao Gilberto, the
great Brazilian guitarist and Jobim collaborator once said the bossa nova was “a clean, washed samba, without loss
of the momentum.” In contemporary jazz, bossa nova is a very popular groove just like swing, waltz, or ballad.
Musicians love bossa nova songs not only for their dance-ability but because the groove provides a great vehicle
for improvisation.
Background on Luiz Bonfa
“Manha de Carnaval” was written by Luiz Bonfa, a Brazilian guitarist and composer considered to be one of the
most important leaders in the bossa nova movement. Bonfa, who died in 2001, composed more than 500 songs in
a career spanning five decades although he was perhaps best known for ”Manha De Carnaval.” His guitar music
began to be heard in the 1950s and in 1956 he performed “Orfeo da Conceicao,” written by the legendary duo of
Carlos Antonio Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes, who composed “The Girl from Ipanema.”
Born in Rio on October 17, 1922, Bonfa taught himself to play the guitar as a child. He gained national recognition
in his early 20s when he played at Rio's Rádio Nacional, which showcased the best talent in Brazil. In the '50s he
became one of the leaders of a trend that would give birth to the bossa nova. In 1951, he recorded “Canção do
Vaqueiro” (Cowboy Song, followed by “Sem Esse Céu” (Without This Sky) in 1952 and “Perdido de Amor” (Head
over Heels in Love) with Dick Farney .
Bonfa moved to the U.S. in 1962 after a successful bossa nova show at New York's Carnegie Hall. This led to a
period during which he recorded a number of highly successful Brazilian jazz albums such as “Black Orpheus
Impressions,” “Jacaranda,” and “Introspection.” Elvis even sang a Bonfa composition in the 1968 movie “Live a
Little, Love a Little.” Bonfa was instrumental in spreading the budding bossa nova movement, throughout the U.S.,
playing with artists including George Benson, Stan Getz, Quincy Jones and Frank Sinatra.
Other Examples of Music by Luiz Bonfa
To hear some of the other famous Brazilian Songs written or recorded by Luiz Bonfa, check out these other Luiz
Bonfa CDs. Listen for the similarity in styles and rhythm: Many of them also use similar chord styles.
· “Amor! - The Fabulous Guitar of Luiz Bonfa” — 1959
· “Luiz Bonfa Plays and Sings Bossa Nova” — 1962
· “Jazz Samba Encore” —Luiz Bonfa & Stan Getz — 1963
· “O Violao E O Samba” — 1965
· “Jacaranda” — 1973
· “Non-Stop to Brazil” — 1989
· “The Bonfa Magic” — 1991
· “Introspection : Bonfa Solo Guitar” — 2000
Where to hear Manha de Carnaval
Here’s a list of some recordings and artists that include Manha de Carnaval. Take a listen to some of these
wonderful recordings to hear how the masters have performed this wonderful song:
“Black Orpheus” (Orfeu Negro): The Original Sound Track From The Film [SOUNDTRACK] Label: Polygram
Records ASIN: B000004726
Stan Getz, “Bossa Nova:” Verve Jazz Masters 53
Label: Polygram Records ASIN: B00000471N
Vince Guaraldi: “Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus.”
Label: Orig. Jazz Classics ASIN: B000000YO6
Ray Brown: “Black Orpheus.”
Label: Evidence ASIN: B0000014KR
Paquito D'Rivera: “Brazilian Dreams.”
Label: Mcg Jazz ASIN: B00006EXE5
Cal Tjader: “Grace Cathedral Concert [LIVE]”.
Label: Fantasy ASIN: B000000XEP
John McLaughlin: “Guitar Trio: Paco de Lucia, John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola.” Label: Polygram Records ASIN:
B000004756
Bossa Nova movement in the late 1950s. Bill selected this to be the first song to complement the Play Like Me
system for a number of important reasons. First, the song is truly a jazz classic, fun to play and sounds great. Its
also a great example of many of the key chord concepts taught in the Play Like Me approach and uses many chord
changes you'll find in other great jazz songs. And lastly, with a beautiful straight forward melody, you'll be able to
quickly learn the basics of this song.
Written and recorded by Brazilian guitarist and composer, Luiz Bonfa, Manha de Carnaval is probably the best-
known song from the award winning 1958 movie, ”ORFEU NEGRO” or “Black Orpheus,” which won the Oscar for
best foreign film in 1959 and helped give birth to Brazil's “cinema novo” movement.
“Manha de Carnaval” continues to be a very popular jazz standard recorded by artists from Latin jazz star, Tito
Puente, to fusion guitarist, John McLaughlin. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, “Manha de
Carnaval” is one of the top ten songs played around the world. Because of its close association with the movie, the
song is also known as “Black Orpheus,” “Song de Orpheo” or “Morning of the Carnaval.”
The song is also known as "A Day in the Life of a Fool" It was recorded by Jack Jones with new words by Carl
Sigman on the album “JACK JONES SINGS” (Kapp KS-3500). Frank Sinatra and Joan Baez also recorded “Manha
de Carnaval” in the '60s. More recently the song has been recorded by Police guitarist, Andy Summers as well as
classical singers Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.
“Manha de Carnaval” is a great example of the Brazilian jazz style of bossa nova or new rhythm. Shortly before the
movie, Antonio Carlos Jobim (and Newton Mendonca) released the album “Desafinado”, featuring this new bossa
nova style. They blended traditional Brazilian music with jazz chords with lyrics sung by Joao Gilberto. This new
sound featured a 4 on 3 stammering rhythm. With the success of the movie, this new style of jazz gained even
greater recognition and popularity. This popularity was fueled by a string of international hits by Jobim, Bonfa as
well as more traditional jazz artists such as Stan Getz.
Unlike Samba which is highly percussive and very hot in emotion, bossa nova is cool and contains a lyrical or simple
story. The bossa nova movement was influenced by the sounds of west coast jazz in the 1950s. Joao Gilberto, the
great Brazilian guitarist and Jobim collaborator once said the bossa nova was “a clean, washed samba, without loss
of the momentum.” In contemporary jazz, bossa nova is a very popular groove just like swing, waltz, or ballad.
Musicians love bossa nova songs not only for their dance-ability but because the groove provides a great vehicle
for improvisation.
Background on Luiz Bonfa
“Manha de Carnaval” was written by Luiz Bonfa, a Brazilian guitarist and composer considered to be one of the
most important leaders in the bossa nova movement. Bonfa, who died in 2001, composed more than 500 songs in
a career spanning five decades although he was perhaps best known for ”Manha De Carnaval.” His guitar music
began to be heard in the 1950s and in 1956 he performed “Orfeo da Conceicao,” written by the legendary duo of
Carlos Antonio Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes, who composed “The Girl from Ipanema.”
Born in Rio on October 17, 1922, Bonfa taught himself to play the guitar as a child. He gained national recognition
in his early 20s when he played at Rio's Rádio Nacional, which showcased the best talent in Brazil. In the '50s he
became one of the leaders of a trend that would give birth to the bossa nova. In 1951, he recorded “Canção do
Vaqueiro” (Cowboy Song, followed by “Sem Esse Céu” (Without This Sky) in 1952 and “Perdido de Amor” (Head
over Heels in Love) with Dick Farney .
Bonfa moved to the U.S. in 1962 after a successful bossa nova show at New York's Carnegie Hall. This led to a
period during which he recorded a number of highly successful Brazilian jazz albums such as “Black Orpheus
Impressions,” “Jacaranda,” and “Introspection.” Elvis even sang a Bonfa composition in the 1968 movie “Live a
Little, Love a Little.” Bonfa was instrumental in spreading the budding bossa nova movement, throughout the U.S.,
playing with artists including George Benson, Stan Getz, Quincy Jones and Frank Sinatra.
Other Examples of Music by Luiz Bonfa
To hear some of the other famous Brazilian Songs written or recorded by Luiz Bonfa, check out these other Luiz
Bonfa CDs. Listen for the similarity in styles and rhythm: Many of them also use similar chord styles.
· “Amor! - The Fabulous Guitar of Luiz Bonfa” — 1959
· “Luiz Bonfa Plays and Sings Bossa Nova” — 1962
· “Jazz Samba Encore” —Luiz Bonfa & Stan Getz — 1963
· “O Violao E O Samba” — 1965
· “Jacaranda” — 1973
· “Non-Stop to Brazil” — 1989
· “The Bonfa Magic” — 1991
· “Introspection : Bonfa Solo Guitar” — 2000
Where to hear Manha de Carnaval
Here’s a list of some recordings and artists that include Manha de Carnaval. Take a listen to some of these
wonderful recordings to hear how the masters have performed this wonderful song:
“Black Orpheus” (Orfeu Negro): The Original Sound Track From The Film [SOUNDTRACK] Label: Polygram
Records ASIN: B000004726
Stan Getz, “Bossa Nova:” Verve Jazz Masters 53
Label: Polygram Records ASIN: B00000471N
Vince Guaraldi: “Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus.”
Label: Orig. Jazz Classics ASIN: B000000YO6
Ray Brown: “Black Orpheus.”
Label: Evidence ASIN: B0000014KR
Paquito D'Rivera: “Brazilian Dreams.”
Label: Mcg Jazz ASIN: B00006EXE5
Cal Tjader: “Grace Cathedral Concert [LIVE]”.
Label: Fantasy ASIN: B000000XEP
John McLaughlin: “Guitar Trio: Paco de Lucia, John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola.” Label: Polygram Records ASIN:
B000004756
| Play Like Me Music creates interactive video learning products that enable aspiring piano players of all ages and skill levels to learn, play and sound better at the piano as well as gain greater enjoyment from their playing. Copyright 2003, Play Like Me, Inc. All Rights Reserved |
Play Like Me Music
When you want to play like a pro!
| COMING SOON Download the Play Like Me piano method for the great Brazilian jazz classic, Black Orpheus/ Manha de Carnaval Only $19.95 from Music Enthusiast TV |
Includes:
Over 2 hours of personalized
instruction
3 levels of instruction that
allows you to work at your own
pace
Printed sheet music for all
three levels
History of the song
Modern and easy to learn
arrangements
Play Like Me Introductory
Chord Tutorial at no cost to
help you learn how to build jazz
and pop chords
Over 2 hours of personalized
instruction
3 levels of instruction that
allows you to work at your own
pace
Printed sheet music for all
three levels
History of the song
Modern and easy to learn
arrangements
Play Like Me Introductory
Chord Tutorial at no cost to
help you learn how to build jazz
and pop chords
| Available as a downloadable video collection from Music Enthusiast Television |