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PODCAST

The Jazz Real Book

In this podcast, Jazz History professor, biographer, musician, and popular podcaster Jay Sweet will help guide you through the tunes included in the Jazz Real Book. For decades, this book (often called "The Jazz Bible") has been a resource for jazz musicians looking to learn jazz standards and repertoire. This podcast will discuss essential recordings and details associated with the songs in the Jazz Real Book, the musicians who created the material, and the recordings that inspire jazz musicians

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All Episodes

00:58:24

Emilio Castillo (Tower of Power) Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/08/27

Emilio Castillo is the soulful saxophone maestro who co-founded the legendary funk-soul powerhouse Tower of Power in 1968. Raised in Fremont, California, Castillo was drawn from a young age to the rich rhythms of R&B, guided by early musical mentors and inspired by Bay Area soul bands. As the band’s co-leader, second tenor saxophonist, and prolific songwriter alongside Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Castillo helped shape iconic tracks like "You’re Still a Young Man, " "What Is Hip?",

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00:23:12

Desafinado and Herbie Mann

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/08/24

(87) “Desafinado” and Herbie Mann Standards Ratings 7 Difficult Rating 7 Herbie Mann (1930–2003) was a pioneering jazz flutist whose openness to global sounds helped shape the spread of bossa nova in the United States. At a time when the flute was not widely recognized as a primary jazz voice, Mann’s technical agility and adventurous spirit set him apart. In the early 1960s, he traveled to Brazil and became captivated by the emerging bossa nova style, collaborating with Brazilian musicians and

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01:02:17

Anthony Wilson Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/08/20

Guitarist and composer Anthony Wilson has long been celebrated for his versatility and creative reach, both as a solo artist and through his longtime role in Diana Krall’s quartet, where his warm tone and subtle swing have made him an essential collaborator on stage and in the studio. His latest project, House of the Singing Blossoms, released in August 2025 on Sam First Records, finds him returning to the sweeping textures of his acclaimed Nonet. Recorded live at Los Angeles’ Sam First, the album

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00:17:44

Deluge and Reggie Workman

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/08/17

(E 86) “Deluge” and Reggie Workman Reggie Workman, born in Philadelphia in 1937, is one of jazz’s most versatile and influential bassists. Best known for his work with John Coltrane he helped shape some of the most important recordings of the 1960s, balancing hard bop drive with avant-garde exploration. His collaborations with innovators like Cecil Taylor, Sam Rivers, and Archie Shepp reveal a fearless curiosity, while his leadership of ensembles such as Trio Three and his acclaimed albums Summit

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01:11:05

Fred Hersch Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/08/15

Fred Hersch, born in Cincinnati in 1955, is a renowned American jazz pianist, composer, and educator whose career spans over four decades. A prodigy who began piano at age four and composing by eight, he studied at the New England Conservatory with Jaki Byard before emerging as a distinctive voice in jazz. Hersch was the first pianist to play weeklong solo engagements at New York’s Village Vanguard and has released over fifty albums as a leader or co-leader. His honors include multiple Jazz Pianist

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00:25:45

Detour Ahead and Herb Ellis

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/08/10

“Detour Ahead” and Herb Ellis Standards Rating 6 Difficulty Rating 6 Herb Ellis (1921–2010) was a seminal American jazz guitarist best known for his tenure with the Oscar Peterson Trio in the 1950s. Known for blending bebop fluency with a blues-infused swing style, Ellis was praised for his rhythmic precision, melodic clarity, and ability to seamlessly complement virtuoso ensembles. A native of Texas and a student of North Texas State University, Ellis gained early recognition with the Soft Winds

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01:16:26

Seth Abramson Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/08/06

Seth Abramson has been appointed as the inaugural Director of Jazz Awards at The Gilmore, where he will oversee the newly established Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Awards for outstanding jazz pianists. A celebrated producer, presenter, and musician, Abramson brings decades of experience discovering and supporting major artists including Jon Batiste, Robert Glasper, Esperanza Spalding, and Jason Moran. He has produced Grammy-winning and nominated recordings and presented concerts for top-tier talent

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00:23:22

Dedicated To You and Johnny Hartman

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/08/03

(E85) “Dedicated To You” and Johnny Hartman Standards Rating 5 Difficulty Rating 6 Johnny Hartman, born in 1923 in Chicago, was a jazz vocalist known for his smooth baritone and emotional delivery, particularly on romantic ballads. Though underrecognized in his lifetime, he earned deep respect from jazz musicians and critics. His defining moment came in 1963 with the release of John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, featuring the iconic track “Dedicated to You.” Originally composed in 1936, the song is a

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00:57:29

Marel Hidalgo Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/07/31

Marel Hidalgo is a 17-year-old jazz guitar prodigy based on the Jersey Shore, already making waves on the global jazz scene. With a sound that blends deep tradition and youthful innovation, Marel has performed at top jazz clubs and festivals around the world. Despite his young age, he’s already collaborated with jazz luminaries such as drummers Billy Hart, Roger Humphries, organist Pat Bianchi, earning him recognition as one of the most exciting young voices in jazz guitar today.

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00:21:16

Dearly Beloved and Stanley Turrentine

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/07/27

(E84) “Dearly Beloved” and Stanley Turrentine Standards Rating 5, Difficulty Rating 5 “Dearly Beloved,” composed by Jerome Kern with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, is a graceful 32-bar standard known for its memorable melodic patterns and rich harmonic turns. The tune opens with a classic ii–V progression, but cleverly delays resolution, creating subtle tension and release. Its balanced A–A′ form, motivic development, and tasteful chromaticism make it both accessible and musically sophisticated—a favorite

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00:55:03

Eric Alexander Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/07/23

Eric Alexander, is widely recognized as one of today’s foremost tenor saxophonists, deeply rooted in the hard-bop tradition. He first gained national attention after placing second in the 1991 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition and went on to study at William Paterson University, where he was mentored by jazz great Harold Mabern. Known for his robust tone, harmonic sophistication, and lyrical phrasing, Alexander has released over twenty albums as a leader and contributed to

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00:30:19

Dear Old Stockholm and The Folk-Jazz Connection

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/07/20

(E 82) “Dear Old Stockholm” and Folk-Jazz Connection Standards Rating 7 Difficulty Rating 6 “Dear Old Stockholm,” a jazz arrangement of the Swedish folk tune “Ack Värmeland, du sköna,” exemplifies the rich intersection of folk melody and jazz improvisation. Rooted in the expressive traditions of rural Sweden, the original melody carries emotional depth and lyrical simplicity—qualities that resonate naturally with jazz. Its transformation into a jazz standard began in the 1940s through Scandinavian

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00:34:37

Joe Farnsworth Interview #2

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/07/16

Drummer Joe Farnsworth joins host Jay Sweet for their second interview. Farnsworth is a highly respected American jazz drummer known for his impeccable timing, swing, and dynamic style. Born in Massachusetts in 1968, he studied at William Paterson University under legendary drummers like Harold Mabern and Jackie McLean. Farnsworth has played with jazz greats including McCoy Tyner, Benny Golson, Cedar Walton, and Wynton Marsalis. He’s especially known for his long-standing collaboration with

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00:22:17

Days and Nights Waiting and Charles Lloyd

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/07/13

(82) “Days and Nights Waiting” and Charles Lloyd Standards Rating 2 Difficulty Rating 5 “Days and Nights Waiting,” composed by Keith Jarrett and performed by the Charles Lloyd Quartet, is a harmonically rich tune built on a 32-bar AABA form. Its spacious melody contrasts with intricate II–V-based progressions that tease traditional resolutions, giving soloists wide harmonic freedom. Jarrett’s composition features rhythmic motifs and non-diatonic tonal shifts, supporting lyrical yet adventurous

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00:53:51

Stanley Clarke Interview (Replay from 2/14/2023)

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/07/08

Stanley Clarke is a pioneering American bassist, composer, and producer, widely regarded as one of the most influential jazz fusion musicians of all time. Born on June 30, 1951, in Philadelphia, Clarke revolutionized the role of the bass in contemporary music, bringing it to the forefront as a lead instrument. He gained fame as a founding member of the jazz fusion group Return to Forever, alongside Chick Corea, where his virtuosic electric and acoustic bass playing stood out. Clarke's solo

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00:25:33

Day Waves and Stanley Clarke

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/07/06

(81) “Day Waves” and Stanley Clarke Standards Rating 2 Difficulty Rating 6 “Day Waves,” composed by Chick Corea, is a harmonically adventurous piece first recorded on Stan Getz’s Captain Marvel. Its unique 25-bar form, shifting tonality, and descending melodic lines create a floating, untethered feeling, showcasing Corea’s sophisticated harmonic language. The A section’s sparse, rhythmically tied motifs build tension with colorful extensions, while the B section continues a chromatic descent in the

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01:03:41

Patrick Zimmerli Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/07/03

Patrick Zimmerli Interview Patrik Zimmerli is an acclaimed American composer and saxophonist known for blending jazz improvisation with contemporary classical forms., Zimmerli has built a reputation for pushing genre boundaries while maintaining clarity and emotional depth in his work. His 2025 trio album Songs of Innocence—featuring pianist Kevin Hays and percussionist Satoshi Takeishi—demonstrates his signature fusion of jazz, classical, and pop influences. The album balances lyrical

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00:17:30

Darn That Dream and Dexter Gordon

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/06/29

(80) “Darn That Dream” and Dexter Gordon Standards Rating 7 Difficulty Rating 6 “Darn That Dream,” composed by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Eddie DeLange, debuted in the 1939 Broadway jazz musical Swingin’ the Dream and soon became a popular ballad recorded by Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, and others. Built on a rich 32-bar AABA form in G major, the melody weaves ascending and descending lines with poignant tensions, while the harmony shifts chromatically through unexpected II–V progressions,

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00:21:31

Dancing On The Ceiling and Chet Baker

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/06/22

(79) “Dancing on The Ceiling” and Chet Baker Standards Rating 6, Difficulty Rating 3“Dancing on the Ceiling,” composed by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Lorenz Hart for the 1930 musical Ever Green, is a graceful, harmonically rich tune that fits well within Chet Baker’s cool jazz aesthetic. Baker, known for his lyrical trumpet style and soft, emotionally detached vocals, recorded a signature version of the song on his 1958 album Chet Baker Sings: It Could Happen to You. On this recording, Baker only

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00:18:02

Daahoud and Harold Land

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/06/15

78- “Dauhood” and Harold Land Standards Rating 6 Difficult Rating 7 Harold Land was a prominent tenor saxophonist known for his deep, emotive tone and contributions to the hard bop and post-bop styles. His career launched in the late 1940s, gaining national recognition in 1954 as a member of the Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet. One of their signature tunes, “Daahoud,” (by Clifford Brown) exemplifies Land’s lyrical yet rhythmically sharp improvisation. The composition itself is harmonically rich,

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100 results

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