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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

00:14:19

"Call Me" and Nancy Wilson

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/12/08

51-“Call Me” and Nancy Wilson Nancy Wilson (1937–2018) was an acclaimed American jazz and pop singer known for her smooth voice, exceptional phrasing, and ability to blend genres. Born in Ohio, she began her career early, hosting a TV show at 15. Her breakthrough came in 1959 when she signed with Capitol Records, leading to her debut album, Like in Love. Her collaboration with Cannonball Adderley on their 1961 album solidified her as a premier jazz vocalist. Wilson's biggest hit, “(You Don’t Know)

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00:15:08

C'est Si Bon and Eartha Kitt

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/12/01

Ep 50- “C'est Si Bon” and Eartha Kitt Eartha Kitt's recording of C'est Si Bon in 1953 is one of her most iconic performances, showcasing her sultry voice and unique style. The French song, composed by Henri Betti with lyrics by André Hornez, became a global hit after its release. Kitt’s version, with Henri René's sophisticated arrangements, added a distinctive charm. Kitt, a multi-talented singer, actress, and activist, was known for her sensual stage presence and versatile musical talent. Born in

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00:14:44

Butterfly and Herbie Hancock

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/11/24

48- "Butterfly" and Herbie Hancock Standards Rating 5, Difficulty Rating 5 Herbie Hancock, a legendary jazz pianist and composer, is known for his groundbreaking contributions across jazz, funk, and electronic music. After early classical training and jazz studies, he rose to prominence with Miles Davis' Second Great Quintet and as a solo artist on albums like Maiden Voyage and Empyrean Isles. In the 1970s, Hancock embraced funk and electronic music, forming The Headhunters and releasing the

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00:11:46

Byrdlike (Birdlike) and Freddie Hubbard

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/11/24

49-Freddie Hubbard "Byrdlike" (Birdlike) Standards Rating 4 Difficulty Rating 8 Freddie Hubbard’s “Birdlike,” from his 1962 album Ready for Freddie, is a fiery bebop composition that pays tribute to Charlie Parker. The track opens with an angular, II-V-driven intro leading into a creatively harmonized 12-bar blues form. Hubbard’s solo is a masterclass in bebop improvisation, showcasing his technical brilliance, innovative phrasing, and signature tone. Known for blending complexity with lyricism,

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00:25:45

Naomi Moon Siegel Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/11/19

Naomi Moon Siegel Naomi Moon Siegel is an award-winning trombonist, improviser, composer, and educator committed to creating a positive, transformative music culture beyond conventional genre norms. Her original musical vocabulary draws on the richness of various global musical traditions. Siegel explores the trombone as a vehicle for sonic expression colored by breath, spit, and physicality. A longtime collaborator with Wayne Horvitz, Siegel has performed with such luminaries as

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00:41:44

Warren Wolf Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/11/12

Warren Wolf’s History of the Vibraphone pays tribute to 11 legendary vibe players, including Lionel Hampton, Gary Burton, and Dave Samuels, presenting a deep dive into the vibraphone’s jazz legacy. Starting in classical music under his vibraphonist father’s guidance, Wolf trained on vibraphone, marimba, xylophone, drums, and piano from a young age in Baltimore. Influenced by his dad’s extensive jazz record collection and the local organ trio jazz scene, he eventually studied under Dave Samuels at

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00:15:32

But Beautiful and Stan Getz

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/11/10

46 -“But Beautiful” and Stan Getz Standards Rating 7 -Difficulty Rating 6 “But Beautiful,” composed by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Johnny Burke in 1947, is a classic ballad celebrated for its lyrical melody and complex harmonic progressions. The song’s 32-bar form in G major features rich ii-V movements and subtle key shifts that add a sense of harmonic intrigue. Notable recordings include renditions by Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra, each capturing the song's emotional essence. Stan Getz,

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00:15:34

Broadway and Oscar Peterson

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/11/03

45-“Broadway” and Oscar Peterson Standards Rating 6 Difficulty Rating 4 Oscar Peterson, a virtuoso jazz pianist from Montreal, was known for his swift, intricate runs and rhythmic precision, drawing influence from Art Tatum and Nat King Cole. His style and mastery shone especially in trio settings, often alongside bassist Ray Brown and guitarist Herb Ellis. Peterson's collaborations with Norman Granz in the 1950s, particularly in the Jazz at the Philharmonic series, solidified his international

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00:16:20

Broad Way Blues and Ornette Coleman

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/10/26

44-“Broad Way Blues” and Ornette Coleman Standards Rating 5 Difficulty Rating 6 Ornette Coleman was a pioneering jazz figure known for breaking traditional boundaries with his radical approach to improvisation and composition. His 1959 album The Shape of Jazz to Come introduced free jazz, where he abandoned chord changes and rigid structures, allowing musicians more freedom. His work at New York's Five Spot Café with a groundbreaking quartet helped establish his status as a revolutionary in

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00:17:11

Bright Size Life and Jaco Pastorius

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/10/20

43- Bright Size Life and Jaco Pastorius Standards Rating 6 Difficulty Rating 7 In this episode, we look at “Bright Size Life,” the standout title track from Pat Metheny’s 1976 debut album of the same name, and the life and career of Jaco Pastorius, the man who redefined electric bass playing in jazz. The track is a masterful blend of jazz, folk, and rock, featuring Metheny’s signature open chord voicings and a flowing, lyrical melody. But what truly sets it apart is the incredible bass work by

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00:37:45

Charlie Burnham Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/10/17

Charlie Burnham Interview Charlie Burnham is an accomplished American violinist, singer, and composer celebrated for his imaginative and eclectic style. Burnham traverses multiple genres, including bluegrass, folk, free jazz, blues, classical, and chamber jazz. His innovative use of the wah-wah pedal on the violin adds a distinctive flair to his performances. Burnham first gained prominence through his contributions to James "Blood" Ulmer's Odyssey album, highlighting his versatility and skill. The

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00:15:52

Boplicity, Gil Evans and The Birth of The Cool

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/10/13

Boplicity, Gil Evans and The Birth of The Cool Standards Rating 6, Difficulty Rating 7 "Boplicity," from Birth of the Cool (1957), marks a key moment in jazz history; composed by Miles Davis under the pseudonym Cleo Henry and Gil Evans, Originally recorded in 1949, the track exemplifies the shift from bebop's fast-paced intensity to cool jazz's more relaxed, refined sound. Featuring a unique nine-piece ensemble, including trumpet, trombone, French horn, tuba, and saxophones, the arrangement

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00:41:09

Kurt Rosenwinkel Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/10/10

Kurt Rosenwinkel, a Philadelphia-born jazz guitarist, is renowned for blending genres and using guitar effects innovatively in jazz. His latest release, The Next Step Band (Live at Smalls, 1996), revisits the music from his acclaimed 2001 album The Next Step and features longtime collaborators Mark Turner, Ben Street, and Jeff Ballard. In addition to his album, Rosenwinkel has published Kurt Rosenwinkel’s Ultimate Book of Compositions, which includes scores, tabs, and commentary on his extensive

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00:19:44

Body and Soul and Coleman Hawkins

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/10/06

42- “Body and Soul” and Coleman Hawkins Standards Rating 8- Difficulty Rating 7 Coleman "Hawk" Hawkins was a pioneering jazz tenor saxophonist who transformed the instrument into a key vehicle for jazz improvisation. Born in Missouri in 1904, Hawkins began playing saxophone in his teens and joined Mamie Smith's Jazz Hounds in 1921. His breakthrough came in 1924 when he joined Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra, where his improvisational style evolved, influenced by Louis Armstrong. Hawkins's

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01:41:58

Brian Bromberg Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/10/01

Brian Bromberg, a virtuoso bassist, honors the legacy of Scott LaFaro with his latest album, LaFaro, and a series of live performances. LaFaro, who tragically died at 25, was a groundbreaking bassist with the Bill Evans Trio, inspiring Bromberg's tribute. Initially reluctant to take on the project due to the pressures of honoring a jazz legend, Bromberg eventually embraced it after realizing LaFaro's profound influence on his playing. Bromberg also shares personal connections to jazz greats like

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00:13:23

Bluesette and Toots Thielemans

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/09/29

41- "Bluesette" -Toots Thielemans Standards Rating of 8- Difficulty Rating 7 "Bluesette," composed by Toots Thielemans in 1964, is a celebrated jazz standard recognized for its memorable melody and intricate harmonic structure. This 24-bar jazz waltz features wide intervallic leaps and recurring rhythmic motifs, creating a captivating listening experience. Thielemans, a renowned Belgian harmonica player and guitarist showcased his unique talent by whistling and playing guitar in unison,

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00:19:56

Blues for Alice and Red Rodney

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/09/25

40- “Blues for Alice” and Red Rodney Standards Rating 7 Difficulty Rating 6 Charlie Parker's "Blues for Alice" is a landmark bebop composition that reimagines the 12-bar blues with angular melodies and intricate syncopation. Parker introduces harmonic complexity by incorporating II-V progressions and other substitutions, creating a sophisticated yet grounded piece. Trumpeter Red Rodney, often underappreciated, made his mark on Parker’s original 1951 recording, solidifying his place

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00:19:04

Blue Train and Lee Morgan

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/09/16

39- “Blue Train” and Lee Morgan Standards Rating 7, Difficulty Rating 3 "Blue Train," the title track from John Coltrane's 1958 album Blue Train, is a defining piece of hard bop jazz. The composition is a 12-bar blues in the key of Eb, featuring sophisticated harmonic alterations like #9 and #11 chords, which add modern tension to the traditional blues structure. The melody is simple yet engaging, with call-and-response patterns reminiscent of gospel music. The solos, particularly

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00:13:22

Blue Room and Tommy Dorsey

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/09/10

38- “Blue Room” and Tommy Dorsey Standards Rating 5, Difficulty Rating 6 "Blue Room," written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1926 Broadway musical The Girl Friend, is a classic show tune known for its romantic lyrics and cozy imagery. The song has a straightforward 32-bar AABA structure and features harmonic complexity with modulations, offering a rich canvas for jazz improvisation. Tommy Dorsey, a leading figure in the swing era, recorded a notable version in 1954 with his

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01:01:28

Buster Williams Interview

The Jazz Real Book ·

2024/09/05

Buster Williams, a legendary jazz bassist, composer, and instructor, has played on numerous records with iconic musicians like Herbie Hancock, Chet Baker, Art Blakey, and Stan Getz, among others. Known for his work as both a sideman and a bandleader, Williams continues to inspire audiences with his performances and compositions.On September 28th, he will perform with his quartet at the Middlesex County Jazz Festival in New Brunswick. The quartet features Lenny White on drums, Steve Wilson on

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102 results

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