The Jazz Real Book

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Always and Irving Berlin Nov 30, 2025

Show notes

“Always” — Irving Berlin (101)

Standards Rating 5 Difficulty Rating 4

“Always” stands as Irving Berlin’s most intimate composition, a love song written not for the public but for one woman—his wife, Ellin Mackay. While Berlin built a career on anthems, showstoppers, and holiday standards, this song reveals his quiet emotional core. There is no theatrical flourish here, no novelty or comedy—only devotion stated with rare simplicity. The lyric unfolds like a spoken promise rather than a performance, with its legendary closing line, “Not for just an hour… but always,” reducing love to a single, unforgettable assurance.

Berlin’s life gives the song added weight. A Jewish immigrant who rose from poverty on New York’s Lower East Side to become the defining American songwriter, he understood instability and loss. By assigning all royalties from “Always” to Ellin, he did something radical: he turned romance into contract, melody into lifelong security. The result is not merely a standard, but a private vow made public—one of the purest love songs ever written.

Steve Smith Interview (Vital Information and Journey) Part 2 Nov 26, 2025

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Steve Smith Interview (Part 2 )

Steve Smith has long stood as one of the most technically accomplished and musically versatile drummers of his generation. Known globally for his work with Journey, Vital Information, and an array of jazz legends, Smith combines precision, historic knowledge, and a deep respect for the lineage of drumming. His approach marries power with nuance, always serving the music while expanding its rhythmic possibilities. Beyond performance, Smith has become an influential educator, preserving and advancing drum traditions through masterclasses, clinics, and detailed historical studies. His commitment to understanding the roots of American drumming—from jazz to early R&B—continues to shape his artistic voice and teaching philosophy.

Vital Information -New Perspective on YouTube

New Perspective on Spotify

Steve Smith On Jack DeJohnette -Interview (Part 1) Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

Steve Smith on Jack DeJohnette

Jack DeJohnette’s impact on modern drumming is immeasurable—his blend of jazz tradition, avant-garde freedom, and groove-based intuition reshaped what it means to be a contemporary drummer. His work with Miles Davis, the Keith Jarrett Trio, and his own ensembles introduced a fluid, open style that erased the boundaries between timekeeping and melodic improvisation. For Steve Smith, DeJohnette became a foundational influence, a model of musical fearlessness whose touch, phrasing, and sense of space helped shape Smith’s own evolution. That influence is central to the documentary Smith created, which not only honors DeJohnette’s legacy but also analyzes the innovations that changed the trajectory of drum performance. Smith further explored these ideas in his acclaimed Sonor YouTube series, where he breaks down drum concepts, demonstrates advanced techniques, and reflects on the lineage of great drummers. The series stands as both an educational resource and a continuation of DeJohnette’s spirit and legacy.

Sonor Presents: Jack DeJonette and Steve Smith Talk Drums (Part 1)

Sonor Presents: Jack DeJonette and Steve Smith Talk Drums (Part 2)

Sonor Presents Jack DeJonette and Steve Smith : Talk Drums (Part 3)

Dreamsville and Henry Mancini Nov 23, 2025

Show notes

100- “Dreamsville” and Henry Mancini

Standards Rating 6, Difficulty Rating 6

Henry Mancini (1924–1994) was one of America’s most versatile and influential composers, and his lifelong connection to jazz shaped his signature sound. After early musical studies and service in the Army Air Corps, he worked with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, grounding his writing in big-band swing. Moving to Hollywood in 1952, Mancini contributed to more than a hundred films, but his breakthrough came with the 1958 television series Peter Gunn, whose sleek, modern jazz scores—performed by top West Coast players—brought jazz into the mainstream and earned multiple Grammy Awards. Among its standout pieces is “Dreamsville,” a tender, harmonically rich jazz ballad in AABA form that became a standard recorded by artists from Julie London to Hank Jones. Mancini’s later work, including the iconic “Pink Panther Theme” and “Moon River,” reflects his mastery of melody, orchestration, and jazz-inflected harmony, securing his legacy as a defining voice of American music.

Henry Mancini

Wes Montgomery

Spotify Playlist

Anthony Stanco Interview Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

Anthony Stanco is a jazz trumpet virtuoso and composer from Southeast Michigan, deeply rooted in the Detroit tradition, having studied under luminaries like Marcus Belgrave and Rodney Whitaker. He is recognized for his technique and love for hard bop, also serving as an educator and cultural ambassador through the US State Department's "American Music Abroad" program.His latest album is In the Groove: Live at The Alluvion, released on October 17, 2025, on OA2 Records. This project is a continuation of his 2024 album, Stanco's Time. In the Groove was captured live at The Alluvion, a gorgeous and intimate jazz club in downtown Traverse City, Michigan that has in a short time gathered around itself a dedicated and passionate community of listeners. Stanco is joined by an all-star band, including guitarist Randy Napoleon, pianist Xavier Davis, bassist John Webber, and drummer Joe Farnsworth, to deliver a bold and joyful voice in 21st-century bop, blending tradition with modern fire.

Dream a Little Dream Of Me and Diana Krall Nov 16, 2025

Show notes

99- “Dream a Little Dream of Me” and Diana Krall

Standards Rating 9, Difficulty Rating 5

“Dream a Little Dream of Me” remains one of the most enduring standards because of its gentle melody, romantic lyric, and the effortless way it creates a feeling of warmth and nostalgia. The tune has a natural, lullaby-like flow, moving gracefully between its dreamy A section and the more open, hopeful lift of the bridge. Its charm lies in its simplicity — nothing feels forced or overly ornate, yet every phrase is memorable. This timeless quality is what makes the song so appealing to artists across generations, including Diana Krall. In her intimate trio performance, she leans into the song’s built-in softness, letting the melody unfold with quiet ease. Her understated vocals, paired with the light touch of guitar and bass, keep the focus on the song’s natural beauty rather than embellishment. The result is a version that feels both classic and personal, capturing the tune’s enduring tenderness.

Diana Krall

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

Spotify Playlist

Jerome Sabbagh Interview Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

French-born tenor saxophonist Jerome Sabbagh has long been a fixture on the New York jazz scene, known for his warm tone, lyrical phrasing, and commitment to musical honesty. A Paris native who moved to the U.S. in the mid-1990s to study at the Berklee College of Music, Sabbagh then moved to New York and quickly immersed himself in the city’s vibrant improvisational community, collaborating with artists like the late Paul Motian. His latest release, Stand Up! (Analog Tone Factory, 2025), featuring guitarist Ben Monder, bassist Joe Martin, and drummer Nasheet Waits. Recorded live to ½-inch analog tape, weaving through original compositions that blend post-bop sophistication with subtle touches of blues, rock, and modal jazz. Each piece is dedicated to a musical influence—from Ray Charles to Stevie Wonder to Trent Reznor (NIN)—showcasing Sabbagh’s wide-ranging curiosity and respect for the jazz and rock lineage. The title Stand Up! reflects both artistic conviction and a quiet social statement against the current political climate, reaffirming Sabbagh’s belief in integrity, collaboration, and the power of real-time, analog musicianship in an increasingly digital world.

Donna Lee and Claude Thornhill Nov 09, 2025

Show notes

(98) “Donna Lee” an Claude Thornhill

Standards Ratings 7 Difficulty Rating 8

“Donna Lee” is a cornerstone of the bebop repertoire, composed by Miles Davis (though often attributed to Charlie Parker) and first recorded in 1947 by the Charlie Parker Quintet featuring Parker on alto sax and Davis on trumpet. The tune is a whirlwind of rapid-fire eighth notes, angular leaps, and constant harmonic motion over the chord changes of “(Back Home Again in) Indiana.” Its technical demands and unpredictable phrasing make it both a rite of passage and a challenge for jazz musicians. The tune’s spirit can be heard in the influence of Gil Evans and Claude Thornhill’s orchestra and their reworking of the tune. Thornhill’s group, with its cool, impressionistic voicings and advanced harmonies, deeply influenced both Parker and Davis. Evans, who arranged for Thornhill, later became Davis’s collaborator on Birth of the Cool. The contrast between Parker’s version and Thornhills, both recorded in 1947 makes for a cool contrast.

Charlie Parker

Claude Thornhill

Spotify Playlist

Paquito D'Rivera Interview Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

Cuban-American saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer Paquito D’Rivera — a towering figure whose joyful spirit matches his musical brilliance — will be honored as the newest recipient of the Giants of Jazz Award on November 29, 2025 at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. The event will feature an all-star lineup including Eric Alexander, Don Braden, Roberta Gambarini, Jeb Patton, Rufus Reid, Steve Davis, Freddie Hendrix, and Yotam Silberstein.

At 77, D’Rivera remains a symbol of artistic excellence and personal courage. Raised in Havana by a classical saxophonist father, he absorbed everything from Mozart to Benny Goodman and began performing professionally as a child.

After co-founding the groundbreaking Cuban ensembles Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna and Irakere, he famously defected during a European tour, seeking creative freedom away from Cuba’s political restrictions. His leap of faith came at great personal cost — years without seeing his family — yet it launched an extraordinary international career supported by legends like Dizzy Gillespie.

Still fiercely active, D’Rivera continues to blend classical, jazz, and Latin traditions. His latest album, La Fleur de Cayenne, recorded with the Madrid-New York Connection, showcases his lifelong spirit of innovation.

Giants of Jazz Concert https://www.sopacnow.org/events/giants-of-jazz-2025/

New Album La Fleur de Cayenne, https://open.spotify.com/album/43hycGOSuAa3LkQwDBHelv?si=JnZGFm5-R22vt2TWx6k3vg

Jay Sweet's Cover Article on Paquito D'Rivera https://njjs.org/magazine/

Don't Get Around Much Anymore and Nat King Cole Nov 02, 2025

Show notes

Nat King Cole’s interpretation of “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” marries the song’s refined Ellington roots with Cole’s signature warmth and polish. The tune, originally an instrumental titled “Never No Lament” before lyrics were added, is built on a classic 32-bar AABA structure that balances elegant chromatic motion with a memorable melodic hook. Cole keeps the melody’s graceful contour intact while subtly shaping phrases to enhance the lyric’s quiet humor and bittersweet nostalgia—avoiding emotional excess in favor of poised understatement. His relaxed swing feel, conversational timing, and velvet tone soften the song’s theme of social withdrawal and lost romance, making the sentiment tender rather than bitter. Billy May’s buoyant arrangement surrounds Cole with bright brass punctuation and smooth sax textures, reinforcing the tune’s sophisticated charm. For Cole, the performance represents both his jazz roots—seen in his phrasing and rhythmic ease—and his mastery of popular songcraft, demonstrating why he remains one of the most enduring interpreters of the American songbook

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