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Artwork for The Jazz Real Book

The Jazz Real Book

Jay Sweet
Jazz
Jazz Standards
Miles Davis
Bebop
John Coltrane
Wayne Shorter
Herbie Hancock
Jazz Music
Gary Burton
Ron Carter
Jazz Education
Chick Corea
Jazz Fusion
Duke Ellington
Wes Montgomery
ECM Records
Blue Note Records
Cool Jazz
Jazz History
Dizzy Gillespie

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 J... more

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Artwork for The Jazz Real Book

Latest Episodes

"Gloria’s Step" and Paul Motion (132)

Scott LaFaro's "Gloria's Step" is one of the defining compositions of modern jazz and a lasting testament to his brilliance as both a bassist and composer. Introduced on the landmark 1961 album Sunday at the Vi... more

Steve Swallow is one of the most influential electric bassists and composers in jazz history. Born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, in 1940, he began on acoustic bass before pioneering the use of electric bass in a jazz context, developing his signature pic... more

“The Girl From Ipanema” and the album Francis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim (131)

“The Girl from Ipanema” one of the most performed and beloved jazz standards reached its definitive artistic expression through two landmark recordings. The 1... more

“Giant Steps” and the album John Coltrane Giant Steps (131)

Released in 1960, Giant Steps is one of the defining albums in jazz history, showcasing John Coltrane's extraordinary growth as both a composer and improviser. The title track introduced t... more

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Recent Guests

Al MacSween
Pianist; member of Your Brother's Keeper; discussed Where Rivers Meet
Your Brother's Keeper
Episode: Al MacSween from Your Brother's Keeper
Chris van Voorst van Beest
Bassist, composer, and bandleader
Independent artist / Angio-Opera Records
Episode: Chris van Voorst van Beest Interview
Peter Bernstein
Jazz guitarist and guitarist-bassist, leader of Rhombus
Rhombus (Smoke Sessions Records)
Episode: Peter Bernstein Interview
Gracinha Leporace
Singer, longtime collaborator and wife of Sergio Mendes
The Sergio Mendes Band
Episode: Gracinha Leporace (The Sergio Mendes Band)
Bob Boyd
Drummer, discussed as providing the drum track for the episode
Drummer (session contributor)
Episode: Freddie Freeloader and Wynton Kelly (126)
Toby Gad
Musician, songwriter, and producer
Episode: Toby Gad and Dave Eggar Interview (The Eureka Concerts)
Dave Eggar
Cellist, pianist, composer and producer
Episode: Toby Gad and Dave Eggar Interview (The Eureka Concerts)
John Lee
bassist and producer, longtime Dizzy Gillespie collaborator
Jazz Legacy Productions (co-founder)
Episode: John Lee and Paquito D’Rivera on Dizzy Gillespie
Steve DeLuca
Knowledgeable guitarist/educator/guest providing in-depth discussion of the album
Episode: Chick Corea- Now He Sings, Now He Sobs

Host

Jay Sweet
Host of The Jazz Real Book; educator, biographer, and musician with a focus on jazz standards and historical context.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 164 ratings
  • Wonderful Resource

    New to Jazz. Like most, I ordered the JRB. The song analysis and example playing is wonderful as a rapid on-ramp to the harmonic structure and melodic rhythm. Keep it up please! Also, it would be great to have an easily accessible archive of just the JRB analysis portions of the show so that when I sit down weekly to learn a new standard I can cross reference this archive to walk through the song with you! Thank you again for this unique resource!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eric Hendrickson
    United States7 months ago
  • Nice!

    Nice way to find new things to listen to. 🎺🎺🎷🎷🥁

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gandalf08
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience finds practical, educational value for learning tunes and patterns.
Listeners praise the accessible yet deep exploration of standards and form.
Fans appreciate the track-by-track analysis and guest insights.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Chris van Voorst van Beest Interview
Q: What inspired the concept behind Bye Design and how did the trio come together?
The music evolved over several years with the key trio members, starting from their initial collaborations and growing into a cohesive group where the writer-composer could shape the sound through a mix of improvisation and structured material.
Toby Gad and Dave Eggar Interview (The Eureka Concerts)
Q: How do you balance improvisation with a strong sense of musical storytelling in a pop-classical context?
By listening deeply, embracing a shared musical language, and aiming to tell personal stories through melodies and textures rather than showing off technical display.
Toby Gad and Dave Eggar Interview (The Eureka Concerts)
Q: Can you describe how The Eureka Concert started and what it felt like in those first improvisational moments?
It began as a two-hour jam in the studio that felt effortless and intuitive, eventually becoming the driving force behind the entire project and its live potential.
Chick Corea- Now He Sings, Now He Sobs
Q: What makes Now He Sings, Now He Sobs a turning point for the jazz trio format?
The record redefined trio interaction by emphasizing open conversational improvisation, equal voices among piano, bass, and drums, and a willingness to blend formal blues with avant-garde elements, which influenced later trios and composers.
Oteil Burbridge and Lamar Williams Jr. Interview-The Offering Album
Q: How did you balance technical ability with serving the song on this record?
Oteil spoke about learning from Colonel Bruce Hampton to focus on honesty and humanity in performance, ensuring technicality serves the song rather than dominating it.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Jazz Real Book

What is The Jazz Real Book about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers jazz history, analysis of standards, and in-depth conversations with respected players and arrangers. Episodes frequently tackle classic tunes, performance practice, and the evolution of jazz through track-by-track insights, historical context, and practical listening guidance. A standout quality is the host's deep biographical and educational approach, often anchored by guest experts and prominent performers who illuminate technique, repertoire, and the broader jazz canon. Listeners are likely to be musicians, educators, and serious enthusiasts seeking both context and actionable understanding of standards, form, and historical lineage.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Jazz Real Book?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Jazz Real Book:

1. You'll Hear It: Full Album Deep Dives with Jazz Musicians
2. Jazz Legends
3. 30 Albums For 30 Years (1964-1994)
4. The 10 Minute Jazz Lesson Podcast
5. In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond

How many episodes of The Jazz Real Book are there?

The Jazz Real Book launched 3 years ago and published 192 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Jazz Real Book?

Recent guests on The Jazz Real Book include:

1. Al MacSween
2. Chris van Voorst van Beest
3. Peter Bernstein
4. Gracinha Leporace
5. Bob Boyd
6. Toby Gad
7. Dave Eggar
8. John Lee

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