The Jazz Real Book

37- Blue Monk and Thelonious Monk Standards Rating 9 Difficulty Rating 5  Thelonious Monk, a pioneering jazz pianist and composer, was instrumental in developing bebop. Born in 1917, he was known for his unique style of dissonance, unusual harmonies, and inventive rhythmic approaches. Despite initial skepticism, Monk's work eventually earned him recognition as one of jazz's most influential figures. His composition "Blue Monk," first recorded in 1954, is a standout piece that highlights his distinctive approach to the blues. It follows a 12-bar blues form but introduces innovative elements, such as omitting the IV chord in measure 10 and using chromaticism and intervallic jumps in the melody. These features and rhythmic motifs make "Blue Monk" a jazz standard that challenges and intrigues musicians. Monk's recordings of this piece, including the 1954 session with Art Blakey and Percy Heath, showcase his experimental style against a steady rhythmic backdrop. "Blue Monk" remains a testament to Monk's ability to transform traditional forms into something uniquely his own, solidifying his legacy in jazz history. Thelonious Monk https://youtu.be/P7y1nMkYeRE?si=NBk9dX-Vs_L7Y5AD Chick Corea https://youtu.be/-u_aMkqS1P4?si=cYhey60IQ6JxRpWX Curated Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5bla6DuepTMq3kdzUlXTy7?si=84abe50b5b8c4e97

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

35-“Blue Bossa” and Kenny Dorham  Standards Raitng 9, Difficulty Rating 5  "Blue Bossa," composed by Kenny Dorham, is a quintessential jazz standard blending Brazilian samba with jazz. Joe Henderson first recorded it on his 1963 album Page One, where Dorham's trumpet style is showcased. The piece exemplifies Dorham's ability to merge melodic development with harmonic sophistication, distinguishing him in the bop and hard bop eras. Despite being underappreciated during his lifetime, Dorham's contributions to jazz, including work with Charlie Parker and Art Blakey, and his albums like Afro-Cuban and Quiet Kenny, have cemented his legacy. "Blue Bossa" remains a jazz classic, covered by artists like Pat Martino and many others, and continues to influence musicians globally. Dorham's unique lyrical style ensures his enduring impact on jazz. Podcast Playlists Joe Henderson https://youtu.be/EUxv3AAaK_Y?si=5kcNZMxJdCe9GeGA Pat Martino https://youtu.be/gql2_RPwUeo?si=475Da3KjiV3aCPVs  Playlist (Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5bla6DuepTMq3kdzUlXTy7?si=9329169649e24f8f

Alvester Garnett Interview Alvester Garnett is a top-tier jazz drummer, celebrated for his swing, passion, and professionalism. His career began in Richmond, Virginia, where early influences included Ellis Marsalis and the jazz program at Virginia Commonwealth University. After moving to New York, Garnett quickly made a name for himself, working with legends like Betty Carter and Abbey Lincoln. He was the only drummer from the Thelonious Monk competition invited to Betty's Jazz Ahead program, which launched his career. Garnett has since collaborated with notable artists such as Pharoah Sanders, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Benny Golson. He also became the regular drummer for violinist Regina Carter, who later became his wife. In September, Garnett will lead his band, The Artworks Ensemble, at the Central Jersey Jazz Festival in Somerville, NJ. The performance will feature original compositions and include special guest trombonist Papo Vázquez, alongside Bruce Williams, Charlie Sigler, Brandon McCune, and Santi Debriano. This performance highlights Garnett’s ongoing commitment to jazz and his ability to blend leadership with collaboration. Alvester Garnett will lead his band, The Artworks Ensemble, at the Central Jersey Jazz Festival on September 15th in Somerville, NJ. The performance will feature original compositions and include special guest trombonist Papo Vázquez, alongside Bruce Williams, Charlie Sigler, Brandon McCune, and Santi Debriano. https://centraljerseyjazzfestival.com/

34-“Black Orpheus” and Charlie Byrd  Standards Rating 9 Difficulty Rating 5 “Black Orpheus” or "Manhã de Carnaval," composed by Luiz Bonfá for the 1959 film Black Orpheus (Orfeu Negro), is a foundational bossa nova piece that became a jazz standard. The song, characterized by its 32-bar structure in A minor with sophisticated harmonic progressions, blends simplicity with elegance. Charlie Byrd, a pivotal figure in popularizing bossa nova in the United States, offered a refined interpretation of the song on his 1966 album Byrdland. Byrd transitions into a flowing solo on the track, demonstrating his technical prowess and deep understanding of Brazilian music. The performance is nuanced and expressive, reflecting Byrd's ability to bridge jazz and classical guitar techniques, cementing "Manhã de Carnaval" as a timeless piece. Charlie Byrd https://open.spotify.com/track/242vRAj44NhtlFHodbzwXw?si=31769895545a41c4 Dexter Gordon https://open.spotify.com/track/1npsSHw0x08BOLPkKzUShe?si=d4aca3a57f374365 Curated Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5bla6DuepTMq3kdzUlXTy7?si=3252735e69da46c6

"Black Nile" from Wayne Shorter's 1964 album Night Dreamer showcases his innovative jazz composition style. The track blends traditional and modern elements, following a 32-bar AABA form in D minor with complex harmonies. Shorter’s and Lee Morgan’s solo navigates the piece’s narrative, with Tyner and Jones adding dynamic intensity. Elvin Jones's powerful drumming, noted for its polyrhythms and swing, provides "severe turbulence" during his solo, enhancing the track’s depiction of a river's journey. Born in 1927, Elvin Jones grew up in a musical family and became a prominent jazz drummer after moving to New York in 1955. His tenure with John Coltrane from 1960-1966 was pivotal, after which he led his own ensembles and influenced future generations through his performances and teaching until he died in 2004. Wayne Shorter https://youtu.be/8OxrGVPBzZM?si=LKeV8qGknf7mYe3m Jeff Tain Watts https://youtu.be/8OxrGVPBzZM?si=LKeV8qGknf7mYe3m Podcast Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5bla6DuepTMq3kdzUlXTy7?si=ddf4bdf7ec0e4bb1

32- “Black Narcissus” and Joe Henderson  Joe Henderson, a brilliant saxophonist born in 1937, melded traditionalism and experimentalism in his music. His 1969 track "Black Narcissus," from the album Power to the People, exemplifies his innovative style. The 24-bar tune in ¾ time features an AB form, with the A section lasting 16 bars and the B section 8 bars. Its melodic simplicity and harmonic complexity, marked by whole-step motion and lack of a key center, create an open, engaging soundscape. Henderson's tenor saxophone, accompanied by Herbie Hancock on Fender Rhodes, Ron Carter on double bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums, delivers a captivating performance. The track showcases Henderson's ability to build intensity, particularly during the bridge, and highlights the synergy between the soloist and the rhythm section. Joe Henderson https://youtu.be/WSQA61ENeRc?si=rscdXqcVsXr9rPre Flora Purim https://youtu.be/jXBMywgcGYU?si=lAt8uJ6Jzhs-QI6y Podcast Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5bla6DuepTMq3kdzUlXTy7?si=fe857b6e50cf4773

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

Ep. 30- Black Coffee and Sarah Vaughan. (Standards Rating 7, Difficulty Rating 6)  "Black Coffee," a bluesy classic jazz standard composed in 1948 by Sonny Burke with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster, has been immortalized by vocal legends like Sarah Vaughan. Vaughan's iconic 1949 rendition under Columbia Records, arranged by Joe Lipman, showcases her unmatched vocal range, technical skill, and emotive depth. Lipman's orchestration, including strings and muted brass, enhances Vaughan's nuanced delivery, highlighting her ability to convey deep emotion through music. Throughout her career, Vaughan transitioned from performing in Newark clubs to international acclaim, recording with luminaries like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Her versatile talent earned her numerous accolades. "Black Coffee" stands as a timeless example of Vaughan's mastery in jazz vocals, solidifying her legacy as one of the genre's most influential and revered artists. Sarah Vaughan https://youtu.be/CRyN9wQ1taY?si=Fz5nOtLP0MeSfNdH Sonny Criss https://youtu.be/1nP6G_we-z8?si=nyahd5A5HFyFUkP3 Playlists https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5bla6DuepTMq3kdzUlXTy7?si=699973ad1c254079

Mindi Abair Interview Mindi Abair is a Grammy-nominated saxophonist and vocalist renowned for her dynamic blend of contemporary jazz, rock, and blues. Raised in a musical family, her early influences included her saxophonist father and opera-singer grandmother. After studying at Berklee College of Music, she moved to Los Angeles, where she played with high-profile acts like the Backstreet Boys and Aerosmith before launching a successful solo career. Known for her energetic performances and collaborations with artists like Booker T, Greg Allman and Joe Perry, Abair also co-runs WineandJazz.com with her husband, combining her passions for music and wine through unique events. https://www.mindiabair.com/