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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

music music commentary

All Episodes

00:18:59

Con Alma and Dizzy Gillespie

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/03/30

(67) “Con Alma” and Dizzy Gillespie Standing Rating 6 Difficulty Rating 8Dizzy Gillespie, a pioneering figure in bebop, blended technical mastery with a unique style, making significant contributions to jazz, particularly through his compositions like “Con Alma.” This 1954 tune, from his Afro album, merges bebop’s harmonic complexity with Latin rhythms, showcasing Gillespie’s innovative approach to jazz. The song features frequent key changes and a rhythmic pulse that challenges even seasoned

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00:21:56

Come Sunday and Johnny Hodges

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/03/16

(65) “Come Sunday” and Johnny HodgesStandards Rating 7 Difficulty Rating 3 Johnny "Rabbit" Hodges was a master of the alto saxophone, renowned for his expressive solos and smooth, emotive tone. A central figure in Duke Ellington's Orchestra, Hodges was instrumental in shaping the "Ellington sound," with memorable contributions to ballads and blues, such as his work on "Prelude to a Kiss" and "I Got it Bad and That Ain't Good." While often overshadowed

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00:12:46

Chitlins Con Carne and Kenny Burrell

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/03/09

(64) "Chitlins Con Carne" and Kenny Burrell Standards Rating 7 Difficulty Rating 4Kenny Burrell's "Chitlins Con Carne," from his 1963 album Midnight Blue, is a masterful blend of blues and jazz. The track features a groovy bassline and a relaxed tempo, with Burrell and Stanley Turrentine sharing the melody. Burrell's first solo highlights his clear, bluesy phrasing and rich jazz guitar tone, while Turrentine’s soulful tenor saxophone adds depth during his solo. The song

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00:54:18

Dan Pugach Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/03/05

Dan Pugach, an Israeli-born composer, drummer, and bandleader, is pushing the boundaries of big band jazz with his Grammy-winning album Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence. The album, inspired by Pugach and his wife Nicole Zuraitis' love for rescue animals, combines personal stories with a tribute to their late dog Bianca. Pugach's unique journey from rock drummer to big band leader has shaped his innovative style, which blends influences from jazz greats and rock music. His

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00:15:23

Chippie and Don Cherry

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/03/02

(63) :Chippie " and Don Cherry Standard Rating 2 Difficulty Rating 8 Don Cherry (1936–1995) was a groundbreaking jazz trumpeter known for his role in pioneering free jazz alongside Ornette Coleman. Born in Oklahoma City and raised in Los Angeles, Cherry was influenced by Clifford Brown before joining Coleman’s quartet in the late 1950s. His work on The Shape of Jazz to Come (1959) and Free Jazz (1961) helped redefine jazz by embracing spontaneity and rejecting traditional harmonic constraints

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00:16:06

Como En Vietnam and Gary Burton

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/03/02

(66) “Como en Vietnam" and Gary Burton Standards Rating 2 Difficulty Rating 6 Gary Burton, a pioneering jazz vibraphonist, is celebrated for his groundbreaking four-mallet grip, which revolutionized vibraphone technique and became a standard in modern jazz. His career began at a young age, self-teaching on marimba and vibraphone, and studying at Berklee College of Music. Burton's early work with Stan Getz and his formation of the Gary Burton Quartet in the late 1960s set the stage for his

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00:41:35

Tal Yahalom Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/02/24

Tal Yahalom, a Brooklyn-based jazz guitarist and composer, is set to release his highly anticipated ensemble-focused album Mirror Image on March 21, 2025, following the singles Hymn for Tomorrow (Feb. 24) and Tri-Tonal (March 10). Known for his intricate compositions and virtuosity, Yahalom brings together a stellar group of musicians, including David Leon (alto saxophone and flute), Ledah Finck (violin), Irene Han (cello), and Rogerio Boccato (percussion), to create a blend of chamber music and

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00:15:46

A Child is Born and Thad Jones

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/02/23

(62) “A Child Is Born” and Thad Jones Standards Rating 8 Difficulty Rating 4Thad Jones (1923–1986) was a pioneering jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader. A key figure in Count Basie’s Orchestra (1954–1963), he crafted classics like The Deacon and To You. In 1965, he co-founded the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, establishing it as a premier big band through legendary Village Vanguard performances. Moving to Denmark in 1979, he revitalized the Danish Radio Big Band and formed Eclipse. He briefly

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00:20:49

Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White and Pérez Prado

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/02/16

(61) “Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White” and Pérez Prado Pérez Prado (1916–1989), known as "The King of the Mambo," was a Cuban bandleader, pianist, and composer who popularized mambo music worldwide in the 1950s. He blended Cuban danzón with energetic brass arrangements and syncopated rhythms, creating hits like Mambo No. 5 and Qué Rico el Mambo. Moving to Mexico in 1949, he signed with RCA Victor, where he found success with Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White (1953). Featuring

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00:21:02

Cherokee and Clifford Brown

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/02/09

(Ep 60) “Cherokee” and Clifford BrownStandards Rating of 9 Difficulty rating of 7 Clifford Brown’s rendition of “Cherokee” is one of the defining moments in jazz trumpet history, showcasing his virtuosic technique, impeccable articulation, and deep harmonic understanding. Originally composed by Ray Noble in 1938, “Cherokee” became a bebop staple due to its rapid tempo and harmonic structure. Brown’s version, recorded with Max Roach and released in 1955, is particularly notable for its blistering

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00:56:41

Steve Bryant Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/02/07

Steve Bryant is a fantastic jazz guitarist who lives and works near the New Jersey shore. His band, RED 123, showcases his masterful compositions and dynamic guitar playing. But beyond performing, Steve is also a dedicated educator, sharing his deep musical knowledge with the next generation. His journey began on French horn before discovering guitar in middle school—a passion that soon became an obsession. Jazz lessons with Vinny Corrao refined his technique, leading to six years in the Navy band

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00:17:00

Chelsea Bridge and Billy Strayhorn

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/02/02

59- “Chelsea Bridge” and Billy Strayhorn Standards Rating 7, Difficult Rating 7 Billy Strayhorn (1915–1967) was a brilliant jazz composer, pianist, and arranger whose work with Duke Ellington shaped the orchestra’s sound. Born in Dayton, Ohio, and raised in Pittsburgh, he studied classical music before transitioning to jazz. His compositions, including “Take the ‘A’ Trai,” “Lush Life,” and “Chelsea Bridge,” showcased his mastery of harmony and orchestration. As an openly gay Black man,

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00:12:12

Chega de Saudade (No More Blues) and João Gilberto

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/01/26

58-João Gilberto “Chega de Saude (No More Blues)”Standards Rating 7 Difficulty Rating 7 João Gilberto (1931–2019), known as the "father of bossa nova," revolutionized Brazilian music with his innovative guitar techniques and understated vocal style. His 1959 album Chega de Saudade marked the birth of bossa nova, blending samba rhythms with jazz harmony and syncopation. The album’s title track, composed by Antônio Carlos Jobim with lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes, solidified the genre's

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00:33:50

Dave Stryker Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/01/23

Dave Stryker is a renowned American jazz guitarist with over 25 albums as a leader and collaborations with jazz greats like Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and Kevin Mahogany. Raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Stryker began playing guitar at ten, initially inspired by The Beatles and later drawn to jazz . By 17, he was performing jazz locally. After moving to Los Angeles in 1978 and then began working with Jack McDuff, touring with him in 1984–1985. Stryker spent a decade with saxophonist Stanley

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00:13:13

Chelsea Bells and Steve Swallow

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/01/19

57- “Chelsea Bells” and Steve Swallow Steve Swallow, born October 4, 1940, in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, is a pioneering jazz bassist and composer. A key figure in modern jazz, Swallow transitioned from double bass to electric bass in the early 1970s. Renowned for his melodic upper-register solos, played with a copper pick, he has collaborated with icons like Jimmy Giuffre, Gary Burton, Carla Bley, and John Scofield. Swallow played a pivotal role in the creation of The Real Book during his time

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00:14:31

Ceora and Hank Mobley

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/01/12

56- “Ceora” and Hank Mobley Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley (1930–1986) was an influential figure in jazz, blending swing, bebop, and post-bop with a warm, lyrical tone. His refined yet assertive style, often overshadowed by contemporaries, earned him recognition as a master of hard bop. Born in Georgia and raised in New Jersey, Mobley began his career in the 1950s, collaborating with legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Art Blakey. His work with Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers helped define the

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00:13:28

Captain Marvel and Chick Corea

The Jazz Real Book ·

2025/01/05

55- Captain Marvel and Chick CoreaStandards Rating 4, Difficulty Rating 8 Chick Corea (1941–2021) was a legendary jazz pianist, composer, and innovator whose career spanned over five decades. Known for his genre-defying versatility, Corea contributed significantly to jazz fusion, Latin jazz, and other jazz genres. His work with Miles Davis on groundbreaking albums like In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew helped define the jazz fusion movement. Corea also led iconic projects such as Return to Forever,

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00:12:49

Central Park West and McCoy Tyner

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/12/29

54- McCoy Tyner and "Central Park West" McCoy Tyner (1938–2020) was a groundbreaking jazz pianist known for his work with John Coltrane’s iconic quartet. Tyner's open fourth voicings and modal harmonies became a cornerstone of the group's sound on albums like A Love Supreme and My Favorite Things. After leaving Coltrane, Tyner forged a solo career, creating classics like The Real McCoy while drawing on African and Eastern influences. "Central Park West," from Coltrane's Coltrane's Sound (1964), is

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00:13:25

Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man and Teddy Wilson

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/12/22

53-“Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” and Teddy Wilson Standards Rating 7 Difficulty Rating 6 Teddy Wilson (1912–1986) was a groundbreaking jazz pianist who was celebrated for his elegant swing-era style and role in racial integration in jazz. Born in Texas and classically trained in Alabama, Wilson worked with Louis Armstrong and Benny Carter before joining Benny Goodman in 1935. As part of Goodman’s racially integrated ensemble, alongside drummer Gene Krupa and later Lionel Hampton, Wilson helped

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00:46:39

Donald Vega Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/12/20

Donald Vega, a celebrated jazz pianist and composer from Nicaragua, continues to captivate audiences with his musical brilliance. His latest album, As I Travel, has garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album, showcasing his original compositions. Vega’s meticulous approach shines through, blending intricate grooves with masterful arrangements that offer structure and creative freedom to his ensemble, featuring John Patitucci, Lewis Nash, and Luisito Quintero. In addition, Vega recently

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103 results

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