One Note Samba

Samba de Uma Nota Só or One Note Samba is a bossa nova song by the Brazilian composer and performer Antonio Carlos Jobim from the year 1959. The text is by Newton Mendonça. The song also became the Jazz Standard.

Structure of the song

The title refers to the melody of the piece, which is initially played only on a single note, the fifth the home key, while changing the accompaniment chords. The four-bar motif is repeated, then increased by a fourth and finally played again in the original version. This sequence forms the A- part of the piece. The following B- part consists of a contrasting melody, which is composed of different intervals.

Effect story

The piece is one of the most famous representatives of the bossa nova and contributed to its worldwide success with. It has been played and recorded by numerous artists. Jobim himself published it in 1959 on the well-established along with João Gilberto Chega de Saudade album. Known worldwide, it was the interpretation of Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd on their joint album Jazz Samba in 1962, in 1963 received a Grammy. and for seventy weeks remained in the American charts, including some time on the top spot as most popular version with English text applies the version of Sergio Mendes & Brazil 66 with singer Lani Hall.

Other interpretations

• Antonio Carlos Jobim - The Composer of Desafinado, Plays ( 1963)
• Eydie Gormé - Blame It on the Bossa Nova (1963 )
• Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim - Sinatra & Company ( 1967)
• Ella Fitzgerald - Ella Abraca Jobim (1981 )
• Ugly Duckling - Journey To Anywhere (as A Little Samba)

The song was recorded by Herbie Mann, Baden- Powell, Laurindo Almeida, Astrud Gilberto, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Michel Legrand, Al Jarreau, John Pizzarelli, Caterina Valente and even by Maurice André.