#ceora

Lee Morgan's Ceora: A Short History

Ceora was not one of Lee Morgan’s best selling recordings, but it has become one of his most enduring compositions, thanks to its beautiful melody and gentle samba rhythm. Jazziz gives a brief history of the tune, which has been recorded by a wide range of artists from George Coleman and Joey DeFrancesco to Andrew Hill.

-Michael Cuscuna

Ceora – Lee Morgan

Ceora is a jazz bossa (a bossa nova written by a jazz musician as a vehicle for improvisation, as opposed to a Brazilian song originally to be sung) by Lee Morgan, showing that he has more tricks up his sleeve than funky grooves. First recorded in 1965, the album Cornbread wasn’t actually released for sale until ‘67.

It features a first class pedigree line up with trumpeter Morgan, alongside pianist Herbie Hancock, drummer Billy Higgins, saxophonists Jackie McLean and Hank Mobley, and bassist Larry Ridley.

The Bossa’s relaxed harmonic rhythms provide an elegant sophistication for the melody and improv solos to bounce and soar with grace, and Hancock’s comping is superb (as is his own solo). None of the solos scream for attention or distract from the relaxed elegance. In fact Morgan’s trumpet solo is not complex and the harmonies are fairly plain, but it is the way he both stretches the time and grooves right in the pocket that really makes this solo come alive.

Ceora Lee Morgan