The Jazz Real Book

Love, Life, and Jazz: Abena Koomson Davis and Steve DavisThe jazz world has long celebrated couples who share both life and the stage. Vocalist Abena Koomson Davis and trombonist Steve Davis now join that tradition with their first jazz album together: Where Is Love? (WJ3 Records), Abena’s debut as a leader. With roots in theater, funk, and soul—including a starring role in Broadway’s Fela!—Abena embraces her long-held love of jazz on this recording, supported by Willie Jones III, Rick Germanson, Nat Reeves, Tony Davis, Mike DiRubbo, and Josh Bruneau.Steve Davis, widely regarded as one of today’s finest jazz trombonists, has performed with legends from Art Blakey to Chick Corea. His latest release, We See (Smoke Sessions, 2024), captures his all-star sextet—Ralph Moore, Eddie Henderson, Renee Rosnes, Essiet Essiet, Lewis Nash, and Steve—in electrifying live performances at Smoke Jazz Club.

(88)” Desert Air” and ECMStandards Rating 2 and Difficulty Rating 7  Founded in Munich in 1969 by bassist-producer Manfred Eicher, ECM Records quickly established itself as one of the most distinctive and influential modern music labels. With its crystalline sound, minimalist visual design, and commitment to artistic freedom, ECM became a home not only for exploratory jazz but also for contemporary classical and world music. Among its many landmark releases is Crystal Silence (1973), a duo recording by Chick Corea and vibraphonist Gary Burton. One of its most striking tracks, “Desert Air,” captures the spacious, atmospheric qualities that came to define ECM’s sound. Written in ¾ time and structured as AAB, the 88-measure piece features unusual harmonic movement, slash-chords, and fluid melodic lines with no rests. Its difficulty and unconventional form make it rarely performed, yet Corea’s conception is brilliant. The original recording is conversational and immersive, embodying ECM’s ideal of music as both experience and atmosphere.Chick Corea and Gary Burton Connie Han Jazz Real Book Podcast 

Emilio Castillo is the soulful saxophone maestro who co-founded the legendary funk-soul powerhouse Tower of Power in 1968. Raised in Fremont, California, Castillo was drawn from a young age to the rich rhythms of R&B, guided by early musical mentors and inspired by Bay Area soul bands. As the band’s co-leader, second tenor saxophonist, and prolific songwriter alongside Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Castillo helped shape iconic tracks like "You’re Still a Young Man, " "What Is Hip?", and "So Very Hard to Go." Over the past five decades, Tower of Power has earned worldwide acclaim for its tight, horn-driven grooves, blending funk, jazz, soul, and R&B into an irresistible sound. Their enduring popularity has led to collaborations with Santana, Elton John, Aerosmith, and countless others, while their signature “Oakland soul” continues to inspire new generations of musicians.

(87) “Desafinado” and Herbie Mann Standards Ratings 7 Difficult Rating 7 Herbie Mann (1930–2003) was a pioneering jazz flutist whose openness to global sounds helped shape the spread of bossa nova in the United States. At a time when the flute was not widely recognized as a primary jazz voice, Mann’s technical agility and adventurous spirit set him apart. In the early 1960s, he traveled to Brazil and became captivated by the emerging bossa nova style, collaborating with Brazilian musicians and recording albums such as Do the Bossa Nova with Herbie Mann (1962). His interpretation of Antônio Carlos Jobim’s Desafinado highlighted the instrument’s lyrical possibilities while introducing American listeners to the syncopated phrasing and harmonic subtleties of Brazilian music. Mann’s 1962 album Right Now! featured a notable version of the tune with vibraphone, guitar, and Latin percussion, emphasizing both rhythmic drive and melodic elegance. By championing Desafinado and other bossa nova standards, Mann played a crucial role in popularizing the style internationally.Herbie Mann Getz/Gilbeto Jazz Real Book Podcast

 Guitarist and composer Anthony Wilson has long been celebrated for his versatility and creative reach, both as a solo artist and through his longtime role in Diana Krall’s quartet, where his warm tone and subtle swing have made him an essential collaborator on stage and in the studio. His latest project, House of the Singing Blossoms, released in August 2025 on Sam First Records, finds him returning to the sweeping textures of his acclaimed Nonet. Recorded live at Los Angeles’ Sam First, the album captures the immediacy and excitement of performance. The Nonet blends the intimacy of a small group with the power of a larger ensemble, with lush arrangements and Wilson’s lyrical guitar, the album reaffirms his status as one of jazz’s most original voices.

(E 86) “Deluge” and Reggie Workman Reggie Workman, born in Philadelphia in 1937, is one of jazz’s most versatile and influential bassists. Best known for his work with John Coltrane he helped shape some of the most important recordings of the 1960s, balancing hard bop drive with avant-garde exploration. His collaborations with innovators like Cecil Taylor, Sam Rivers, and Archie Shepp reveal a fearless curiosity, while his leadership of ensembles such as Trio Three and his acclaimed albums Summit Conference and Cerebral Caverns highlight his compositional imagination. Beyond performance, Workman has been a crucial educator, mentoring generations of musicians at The New School. His artistry was recognized in 2020 when he was named an NEA Jazz Master. Wayne Shorter’s composition Deluge, recorded on Juju (1964), reflects the Coltrane-inspired synergy of Workman, McCoy Tyner, and Elvin Jones. Built on recurring rhythmic hits and modal harmonies, it blends structure and freedom, making it a modern jazz classic.Wayne Shorter Ari Hoenig Trio Jazz Real Book Playlist

Fred Hersch, born in Cincinnati in 1955, is a renowned American jazz pianist, composer, and educator whose career spans over four decades. A prodigy who began piano at age four and composing by eight, he studied at the New England Conservatory with Jaki Byard before emerging as a distinctive voice in jazz. Hersch was the first pianist to play weeklong solo engagements at New York’s Village Vanguard and has released over fifty albums as a leader or co-leader. His honors include multiple Jazz Pianist of the Year awards, seventeen Grammy nominations, and recognition as a Doris Duke Artist. As an educator, he has shaped generations of pianists through his work at Juilliard, NEC, and the Manhattan School of Music.Openly gay, Hersch has spoken candidly about his experiences living with HIV since the mid-1980s, surviving multiple health crises, and enduring bouts of depression. His memoir and interviews detail how these struggles have shaped his music, deepened his emotional range, and informed his commitment to authenticity on and off stage. He has become a role model for resilience in both the LGBTQ+ community and the jazz world, using his art to explore vulnerability, perseverance, and self-expression.His two most recent releases reflect the breadth of his artistry. Silent Listening (ECM, 2024) is an intimate solo piano album produced by Manfred Eicher, featuring poetic, nocturnal improvisations that balance lyricism and abstraction. The Surrounding Green (ECM, 2025) marks his return to the trio format after seven years, with bassist Drew Gress and drummer Joey Baron. Together, these works affirm Hersch’s place among jazz’s most expressive modern pianists.

“Detour Ahead” and Herb Ellis Standards Rating 6 Difficulty Rating 6 Herb Ellis (1921–2010) was a seminal American jazz guitarist best known for his tenure with the Oscar Peterson Trio in the 1950s. Known for blending bebop fluency with a blues-infused swing style, Ellis was praised for his rhythmic precision, melodic clarity, and ability to seamlessly complement virtuoso ensembles. A native of Texas and a student of North Texas State University, Ellis gained early recognition with the Soft Winds trio, where he co-wrote the jazz standard “Detour Ahead.” “Detour Ahead” is a lyrically rich, harmonically sophisticated ballad that uses the metaphor of a winding road to reflect romantic vulnerability. Written in 1948 with Lou Carter and Johnny Frigo, the tune is structured in a 34-bar AABA form and features nuanced harmonic shifts and melodic tension. It remains a favorite among vocalists and instrumentalists alike, reflecting Ellis’s gift for subtle emotional depth and his lasting influence on jazz composition and guitar artistry.Soft Winds Herb Ellis Jazz Real Book Playlist

Seth Abramson has been appointed as the inaugural Director of Jazz Awards at The Gilmore, where he will oversee the newly established Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Awards for outstanding jazz pianists. A celebrated producer, presenter, and musician, Abramson brings decades of experience discovering and supporting major artists including Jon Batiste, Robert Glasper, Esperanza Spalding, and Jason Moran. He has produced Grammy-winning and nominated recordings and presented concerts for top-tier talent across prestigious venues and events. In his new role, Abramson will lead the nomination and selection process for two major jazz honors: the Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award, presented every four years with a $300,000 prize, and the Larry J. Bell Young Jazz Artist Award, awarding $25,000 biennially to promising American pianists aged 22 and under. Funded by an $8 million endowment from Bell’s Brewery founder and Gilmore Board President Larry J. Bell, the first awards will be announced in 2026. Learn more at thegilmore.org.

(E85) “Dedicated To You” and Johnny Hartman Standards Rating 5 Difficulty Rating 6 Johnny Hartman, born in 1923 in Chicago, was a jazz vocalist known for his smooth baritone and emotional delivery, particularly on romantic ballads. Though underrecognized in his lifetime, he earned deep respect from jazz musicians and critics. His defining moment came in 1963 with the release of John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, featuring the iconic track “Dedicated to You.” Originally composed in 1936, the song is a 32-bar ballad in B♭ major, rich in harmonic nuance and emotional tension. Hartman’s interpretation, paired with Coltrane’s lyrical saxophone and McCoy Tyner’s piano, brought the tune new artistic depth. The arrangement showcases clever melodic symmetry, expressive harmonic shifts, and subtle use of dissonance and resolution. Despite limited fame, Hartman’s voice found renewed appreciation through film and reissues. His work, especially on “Dedicated to You,” remains a masterclass in jazz ballad performance, securing his place in jazz history.Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane Freddie Hubbard