Beachside Bossa | Latin Jazz Piece for Solo Piano (Late Intermediate)

Beachside Bossa — Brock Chart

Beachside Bossa is a Latin jazz–inspired solo for late intermediate students, written to sound relaxed, sophisticated, and cinematic. This piece began as music composed for the short film Technology Lake by Brandon Daley, appearing during a quiet daydream sequence. That sun-soaked, drifting atmosphere stayed with the music as it was later adapted into a piano solo.

The writing blends a laid-back bossa nova groove in the spirit of Jobim with jazz-influenced harmonies and long, soaring melodies. Students can enjoy exploring bossa nova rhythms while developing a deeper sense of groove and stylistic nuance. The texture also makes this an excellent piece for refining hand balance and learning how to bring out a singing top line—an essential skill in this style.

On the original film recording, the guitar part was performed by jazz guitarist Alex Frank, whose background in flamenco guitar subtly influences the rhythmic feel and phrasing of the piece. Chord symbols are included throughout for performers who would like to experiment with improvisation or add their own creative touches.

🎵 About this piece:

• Level: Late Intermediate
• Style: Latin Jazz / Bossa Nova
• Format: Solo Piano
• Pedagogical focus: Bossa nova groove, hand balance, melodic voicing, jazz harmony, stylistic phrasing
• Exploration: Encourage students to lightly tap or count the bossa rhythm away from the keyboard before playing to internalize the groove.
• Scan and Play: Scan QR code for MP3 recording

📚 Perfect for:

• Late intermediate students exploring Latin jazz styles
• Teaching groove, voicing, and stylistic nuance
• Recitals where you want something relaxed, cinematic, and sophisticated

🎵 Listen to this piece: