Black Orpheus (A Day in the Life of a Fool)

“Black Orpheus” is the most common title for this tune, but the original title is “Manha de Carnaval” (in English “Morning of the Carnival”). It also goes by the title “A Day in the Life of a Fool” which is the first line of the English lyric.

The Black Orpheus play along has some tasty brazillian guitar.  Black Orpheus is most commonly played in the key of A minor, and the Black Orpheus play along and changes are in the standard key.

Black Orpheus was written by Brazilian composer Luiz Bonfa as a theme for the 1959 Portuguese film “Orfeu Negro”(Black Orpheus). There are different sets of lyrics written to this tune. The English verse “A Day in the Life of a Fool” by Carl Sigman is widely known in jazz circles. This song has been performed and recorded by many musicians in and out of the jazz realm.  It’s a very popular tune.