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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
ECM Records
Blue Note Records
Cool Jazz
Jazz History
Dizzy Gillespie
Wes Montgomery

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

“Gemini” and Jimmy Heath (130)

“Gemini” is one of Jimmy Heath’s finest and most enduring compositions, a graceful 24-bar waltz that reflects his gift for memorable melodies and sophisticated harmony. Built around a spacious, lyrical theme and unexp... more

Al MacSween continues to emerge as one of the most creative voices in London's contemporary jazz scene with Where Rivers Meet, a remarkable collaboration between his collective Your Brother's Keeper and legendary saxophonist Gary Bartz. As pianist, s... more

“Full House” and Johnny Griffin (129)

Johnny Griffin’s appearance on Wes Montgomery’s “Full House” remains one of the great examples of hard bop improvisation captured live. Recorded on June 25, 1962, at Tsubo in Berkeley, California, the performan... more

Chris van Voorst van Beest’s Bye Design brings together jazz improvisation and classical structure in a deeply personal and compelling statement. Joined by pianist Zach Lapidus and drummer Nathan Ellman-Bell, the New York-based bassist and composer c... more

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Recent Guests

Peter Bernstein
Jazz guitarist and guitarist-bassist, leader of Rhombus
Rhombus (Smoke Sessions Records)
Episode: Peter Bernstein Interview
Mike Kaplan
Composer, arranger, saxophonist, and radio DJ
Independent musician/guest on show
Episode: Rahsaan Roland Kirk-The Inflated Tear
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
Oteil Burbridge
Bassist known for Dead & Company, Allman Brothers Band, etc.
Musician
Episode: Oteil Burbridge and Lamar Williams Jr. Interview-The Offering Album
Lamar Williams Jr.
Vocalist, son of Lamar Williams
Musician
Episode: Oteil Burbridge and Lamar Williams Jr. Interview-The Offering Album

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 States6 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.

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.
Oteil Burbridge and Lamar Williams Jr. Interview-The Offering Album
Q: What drew you to record in Iceland, and what energy did that environment bring to The Offering?
They were drawn by the magical, otherworldly energy of Flóki Studios in Iceland, which provided a powerful backdrop and influenced the emotional and atmospheric qualities of the music.

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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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How many listeners does The Jazz Real Book get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Jazz Real Book has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of The Jazz Real Book are there?

The Jazz Real Book launched 2 years ago and published 188 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Jazz Real Book?

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What guests have appeared on The Jazz Real Book?

Recent guests on The Jazz Real Book include:

1. Peter Bernstein
2. Mike Kaplan
3. Gracinha Leporace
4. Bob Boyd
5. Toby Gad
6. Dave Eggar
7. John Lee
8. Oteil Burbridge

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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