The Jazz Real Book
Jay Sweet
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Top 10 The Jazz Real Book Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Jazz Real Book episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Jazz Real Book for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Jazz Real Book episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Black Diamond and Roland Kirk
The Jazz Real Book
07/21/24 • 9 min
31-“Black Diamond” and Roland Kirk
“Black Diamond” is a lesser-known Real Book tune heavily associated with Roland Kirk, later known as Rahsaan Roland Kirk. A groundbreaking American jazz multi-instrumentalist born on August 7, 1935, Kirk was blind from infancy and mastered multiple instruments. He was renowned for his ability to play them simultaneously using circular breathing. His music, which blends hard bop, soul jazz, and avant-garde jazz, showcases profound innovation and musicality. "Black Diamond" exemplifies his talents on the tenor saxophone, manzello, and stritch. Despite a debilitating stroke in 1975, Kirk continued to perform and remained an influential figure in jazz until his death on December 5, 1977. The track captures Kirk's energy and talent.
You Tube https://youtu.be/aBN8mNVm2Zo?si=YpgRPBWHLMXTEHu4
Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5bla6DuepTMq3kdzUlXTy7?si=36178a8ac750404d
1 Listener
Blue in Green and Miles Davis' Kind of Blue Album
The Jazz Real Book
08/27/24 • 22 min
36- “Blue in Green” and Kind of Blue
Standards Rating 7 Difficulty Rating 6
"Blue in Green," a track from Kind of Blue (Columbia Records 1959), is a unique piece whose authorship has been questioned as it is sometimes credited to Miles Davis and/or Bill Evans. The song creates a lush, ethereal sound by featuring a 10-bar form and employing Dorian, Mixolydian, and Lydian modes. The musicians (soloists)—Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans—deliver performances marked by spacious phrasing, improvisation, and focus on mood and texture. Kind of Blue is a groundbreaking jazz album often hailed as the greatest of all time. Embracing modal jazz, its simplicity and harmonic richness contrast with the complex post-bop style of the era. The album captures a perfect, irreplaceable moment in jazz history, with the collective brilliance of its performers creating a timeless masterpiece. This configuration of artists never recorded together again in the studio, further solidifying the album's status as a singular achievement in jazz.
Miles Davis https://youtu.be/TLDflhhdPCg?si=HQCQ6EzO4AMn3dKF
Bill Evans https://youtu.be/3XpjOXsf2zg?si=AVn_PhIVpjn7aTNU
Chet Baker's “Alone Together” with “Blue and Green” Intro https://youtu.be/p0zIbYCu7Yc?si=bP9OeUgcoOUSXMik
Curated Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5bla6DuepTMq3kdzUlXTy7?si=74cb49b3f0834ee5
1 Listener
Broadway and Oscar Peterson
The Jazz Real Book
11/03/24 • 15 min
1 Listener
Chitlins Con Carne and Kenny Burrell
The Jazz Real Book
03/09/25 • 12 min
(64) "Chitlins Con Carne" and Kenny Burrell
Standards Rating 7 Difficulty Rating 4
Kenny 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 follows a 12-bar blues progression, infused with jazz inflections, including the signature C7#9 chord. Burrell’s unique style bridges the gap between genres, making the track a timeless favorite. Covered by artists from blues legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy to jazz icons like Horace Silver, "Chitlins Con Carne" remains an enduring classic that showcases Burrell's profound influence on both blues and jazz guitar.
1 Listener
Contemplation and Ron Carter
The Jazz Real Book
04/20/25 • 13 min
(70) “Contemplation” and Ron Carter
Standard Rating 6 Difficulty Rating 6
Ron Carter, born in 1937, is one of the most influential jazz bassists in history, with a career spanning over six decades and more than 2,000 recordings. Originally a cellist from Detroit, Carter switched to bass at 14 and studied at the Eastman School of Music before becoming a staple of the New York jazz scene in the 1960s. His work with Miles Davis’ “Second Great Quintet” solidified his legacy, and he has since led numerous projects, including his Grammy-winning 2022 album Skyline. A dedicated educator at Juilliard since 2008, Carter remains a humble and passionate advocate for lifelong learning in music. “Contemplation,” from McCoy Tyner’s 1967 album The Real McCoy, features Carter’s signature bass work and showcases his subtlety and depth. The piece is a meditative 16-bar waltz in C minor, with a minimalist bass line built on just three notes—C, F, and G—creating a grounded, reflective mood. The melody, played by Joe Henderson, is sparse and introspective, while Tyner’s harmonic language offers modal richness and emotional depth. Carter’s solo is melodic and thoughtful, aligning with the tune’s mood. A 2003 reimagining on Land of Giants features Bobby Hutcherson on vibraphone, offering a fresh take on this timeless composition.
Charlie Burnham Interview
The Jazz Real Book
10/17/24 • 37 min
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 ensemble from that project later formed Odyssey the Band. Throughout his career, Burnham has been a pivotal member of several notable groups and artists, like Living Colour, Cassandra Wilson, String Trio of New York, 52nd Street Blues Project, Hidden City, We Free Strings, the Improvising Chamber Ensemble, and the Kropotkins. He has also recently recorded new music with Eureka Shoes, showcasing his continual evolution as a musician.
Beginning as an informal gathering of friends and now blossoming into a fully-fledged collaborative band, Eureka Shoes’ Beautalina (Adhyâropa ÂR00079) soars aloft on gorgeous 3-part harmonies, delicate acoustic textures, and world-class songcraft. Eureka Shoes features award-winning songwriter Jean Rohe, acoustic music stalwart Skye Soto Steele, and omni-genre multi-instrumentalist Charlie Burnham. Rounded out here by the virtuosic bass of Rashaan Carter, Beautalina is an enduring testament to the power of music to unite, communicate, and elevate.
Eureka Shoes Beautalina https://open.spotify.com/album/1bH16X7J5KU6YNJgDbEVL2?si=t0YsU9C7RVehdGdwc6hpdg
Brian Bromberg Interview
The Jazz Real Book
10/01/24 • 101 min
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 Stan Getz, with whom he played, and Bill Evans, a missed opportunity from his youth. His career spans collaborations with top artists and an eclectic solo catalog ranging from traditional jazz to contemporary styles. Known for his versatility on upright and electric bass, Bromberg defies genre boundaries, seeking to deliver heartfelt, high-quality musicianship in every project. His performances and music continue to celebrate innovation and jazz's rich history. https://njjs.org/magazine/
Central Park West and McCoy Tyner
The Jazz Real Book
12/29/24 • 12 min
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 a serene ballad showcasing Coltrane's soprano saxophone and Tyner’s impressionistic piano work. The piece employs "Coltrane changes," a harmonic framework that cycles through specific key centers, adding complexity to the 10-bar form. Coltrane’s understated melody allows Tyner to shine, delivering a nuanced solo with rich voicings and fluid phrasing, complemented by Elvin Jones's delicate brushwork and Steve Davis’s steady bass.
Ron Carter Interview (2022)
The Jazz Real Book
04/22/25 • 27 min
Enjoy this replay of a 2022 Ron Carter interview conducted for Jersey Jazz Magazine https://njjs.org/magazine/to celebrate the Maestro's 85th Birthday.
View the Interview at https://youtu.be/suzcfI7VznI?si=1vRV-w6KCfuBTBGI
Read the article at https://www.jaysweetmusic.com/blog
A Child is Born and Thad Jones
The Jazz Real Book
02/23/25 • 15 min
(62) “A Child Is Born” and Thad Jones
Standards Rating 8 Difficulty Rating 4
Thad 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 led the Count Basie Orchestra before health issues forced his return to Copenhagen, where he passed away in 1986.
Thad Jones’ most famous composition, “A Child Is Born” (1969) is a jazz ballad later given lyrics by Alec Wilder. Its 30-bar form in 3/4 time features lyrical phrasing and rich harmonies. A staple of jazz repertoire, the tune has been recorded by artists like Tony Bennett, Bill Evans, and Dianne Reeves, embodying Jones’ melodic brilliance and harmonic depth.
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Jazz Real Book have?
The Jazz Real Book currently has 75 episodes available.
What topics does The Jazz Real Book cover?
The podcast is about Music, Podcasts and Music Commentary.
What is the most popular episode on The Jazz Real Book?
The episode title 'Blue in Green and Miles Davis' Kind of Blue Album' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Jazz Real Book?
The average episode length on The Jazz Real Book is 27 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Jazz Real Book released?
Episodes of The Jazz Real Book are typically released every 5 days, 23 hours.
When was the first episode of The Jazz Real Book?
The first episode of The Jazz Real Book was released on Jan 8, 2024.
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