99% Invisible The Real Book [rebroadcast]
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Feb 27, 2024 
Mikkel McAvano, a reporter, dives into the fascinating underground origins of the Real Book, a vital jazz resource since the 1970s. Steve Swallow, a renowned jazz musician and educator, shares insights on its creation by Berklee students as an essential tool despite its illegal status. They discuss the delicate balance between creativity and copyright in jazz, the improvisational spirit of the genre, and the challenges in uncovering the identities of its original authors. The journey of the Real Book reveals its significant cultural impact on jazz education and performance.
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The Real Book's Importance
- Mikkel McAvano's guitar teacher insisted on getting a Real Book.
- His high school teacher bought his first copy on a street corner near Berklee College of Music.
Illegality and Codification of Jazz
- The Real Book, popular among jazz musicians, was an illegal, unlicensed publication.
- It documented jazz standards, reflecting jazz's evolution from improvisational art to codified form.
Origins of Fake Books
- Long before the Real Book, musicians used "fake books."
- These books started as Tune Decks, index cards with song information and basic sheet music, used by radio stations.