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 B...
59- “Chelsea Bridge” and Billy Strayhorn
Standards Rating 7, Difficult Rating 7
Billy Strayhorn (1915–1967) was a brilliant jazz composer, pianist, and arranger whose work with Duke Ellington shaped the orchestra’s sound. Born in Dayton, Ohio, and raised in Pittsburgh, he studied classical music before transitioning to jazz. His compositions, including “Take the ‘A’ Trai,” “Lush Life,” and “Chelsea Bridge,” showcased his mastery of harmony and orchestration. As an openly gay Black man, Strayhorn faced societal challenges but remained a resilient artist and civil rights advocate."Chelsea Bridge," recorded in 1941, reflects Strayhorn’s impressionistic style, inspired by Debussy and Ravel. Its lush harmonies, chromatic movement, and unconventional modulations create a dreamlike atmosphere. The piece features Ben Webster’s warm tenor sax and prioritizes mood and color over rhythm, distinguishing it from typical big band works. Later interpretations, such as Joe Henderson’s 1968 rendition, highlight its adaptability. Strayhorn’s legacy endures through his sophisticated, genre-defying compositions.
Duke Ellington
Joe Henderson
Spotify Playlist
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17:00
Chega de Saudade (No More Blues) and João Gilberto
58-João Gilberto “Chega de Saude (No More Blues)”
Standards Rating 7 Difficulty Rating 7
João Gilberto (1931–2019), known as the "father of bossa nova," revolutionized Brazilian music with his innovative guitar techniques and understated vocal style. His 1959 album Chega de Saudade marked the birth of bossa nova, blending samba rhythms with jazz harmony and syncopation. The album’s title track, composed by Antônio Carlos Jobim with lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes, solidified the genre's prominence and showcased Gilberto's signature approach, emphasizing balance and subtlety between voice and guitar.
His collaboration with Stan Getz on the Grammy-winning Getz/Gilberto (1963) introduced bossa nova to global audiences, featuring hits like "The Girl from Ipanema." Known for his perfectionism, Gilberto maintained high standards in his recordings, influencing generations of musicians. "Chega de Saudade," often considered the first recorded bossa nova song, remains a cornerstone of the genre, blending harmonic sophistication, rhythmic syncopation, and poignant saudade, or yearning, that defines Brazilian music.
João Gilberto Version
Carmen McRae Version
Spotify Playlist
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12:12
Dave Stryker Interview
Dave Stryker is a renowned American jazz guitarist with over 25 albums as a leader and collaborations with jazz greats like Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and Kevin Mahogany. Raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Stryker began playing guitar at ten, initially inspired by The Beatles and later drawn to jazz . By 17, he was performing jazz locally.
After moving to Los Angeles in 1978 and then began working with Jack McDuff, touring with him in 1984–1985. Stryker spent a decade with saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and formed bands with Steve Slagle and Jared Gold. He also worked extensively with singer Kevin Mahogany as a sideman and arranger, performing at Carnegie Hall and internationally. An experienced educator, Stryker has taught at Indiana University, Montclair State, William Paterson University, and Rutgers University, as well as online via ArtistWorks.
For More On Dave Stryker go to: https://www.davestryker.com/
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33:50
Chelsea Bells and Steve Swallow
57- “Chelsea Bells” and Steve Swallow
Steve Swallow, born October 4, 1940, in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, is a pioneering jazz bassist and composer. A key figure in modern jazz, Swallow transitioned from double bass to electric bass in the early 1970s. Renowned for his melodic upper-register solos, played with a copper pick, he has collaborated with icons like Jimmy Giuffre, Gary Burton, Carla Bley, and John Scofield.
Swallow played a pivotal role in the creation of The Real Book during his time teaching at Berklee College of Music (1974–76). This now-iconic jazz fake book includes several of his compositions, such as “Chelsea Bells.” The 17-bar piece “Chelsea Bells” is harmonically adventurous, featuring spacious melodies, suspended chords, and no defined key center. Its ambient nature is showcased in Hotel Hello (1975), where Swallow’s piano work and Gary Burton’s vibraphone create a dreamlike soundscape. Swallow’s contributions to jazz composition and pedagogy remain influential and innovative.
Gary Burton and Steve Swallow Version
Sergio Corbini & Stefano Franceschini Quintet Version
Spotify Playlist
John Clayton's GoFundMe
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13:13
Ceora and Hank Mobley
56- “Ceora” and Hank Mobley
Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley (1930–1986) was an influential figure in jazz, blending swing, bebop, and post-bop with a warm, lyrical tone. His refined yet assertive style, often overshadowed by contemporaries, earned him recognition as a master of hard bop. Born in Georgia and raised in New Jersey, Mobley began his career in the 1950s, collaborating with legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Art Blakey. His work with Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers helped define the hard bop sound. Albums like Soul Station (1960) showcased Mobley’s melodic genius and intricate phrasing. "Ceora," a Lee Morgan composition from Cornbread (1967), features Mobley alongside Morgan, Jackie McLean, and Herbie Hancock. This medium bossa nova tune in Ab Major highlights II-V progressions and provides a rich canvas for improvisation. Mobley’s solo on "Ceora" stands out, offering soulful lines and a warm tone that contrasts beautifully with Morgan’s fiery trumpet.
Lee Morgan Version
Steve Grossman Version
Spotify Playlist
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 Jazz Real Book, the musicians who created the material, and the recordings that inspire jazz musicians and fans worldwide.
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