The Jazz Real Book

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. H...

(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...

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 Y...

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 enh...

Wolfgang Muthspiel Interview

Austrian guitarist and composer Wolfgang Muthspiel’s new album Tokyo, released on ECM Records in September 2025, captures the refined interplay of his long-standing trio with bassist Scott Colley and drummer Brian Blade. Recorded in Tokyo in October 2024 and produced by ECM founder Manfred Eicher, the record highlights Muthspiel’s composition skills and prowess as a guitarist. His music is a true  balanc...

(96) Don’t Blame Me and Ethel Waters 

“Don’t Blame Me,” written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields in 1932, became a popular standard known for its lyrical melody and elegant harmonic motion. Ethel Waters’ 1933 recording, arranged by Victor Young, remains one of the definitive interpretations. Her expressive phrasing, subtle rhythmic control, and spoken introduction elevate the song from a simple love ballad to a deeply personal...

(95) “Domino Biscuit” and Hotel Hello

Steve Swallow’s “Domino Biscuit,” from Hotel Hello (ECM, 1975), is a concise yet characterful duet that epitomizes the minimalist charm of the album. Built on a simple 10-bar form in D♭, the piece unfolds with a brief two-bar introduction and a recurring rhythmic motif of dotted quarter, eighth, and quarter notes. Written in traditional piano score, the melody sits in the bass clef, suggesting S...

The 2026 Gilmore Bell Young Artist Award, accompanied by a $25,000 grant, recognizes two rising stars in jazz piano — Tyler Bullock II and Esteban Castro — both representing the vibrant next generation of the art form. Based in New York City and trained at the Juilliard School, Bullock and Castro share a commitment to honoring jazz’s deep traditions while advancing its creative boundaries. Bullock, a dynamic performer and collabora...

(94) Dolphin Dance and George Coleman 

“Dolphin Dance,” from Herbie Hancock’s 1965 album Maiden Voyage (Blue Note Records), is a luminous example of modern jazz composition. Built on a 38-bar form, the tune flows with modal harmonies, shifting tonal centers, and a lyrical melody unified by rhythmic motifs. Hancock’s use of parallel motion, pedal tones, and deceptive resolutions creates a sound both serene and exploratory—perfectly e...

Marc Johnson, a distinguished American jazz bassist, rose to prominence in the late 1970s as a member of Bill Evans’ final trio. Renowned for his warm tone, lyrical phrasing, and rhythmic sensitivity, he has led groups such as Bass Desires and collaborated with Eliane Elias, Joe Lovano, and Pat Metheny. His 2025 ECM release Tramonto, recorded live in 2002 with pianist John Taylor and drummer Joey Baron, captures the trio’s elegant ...

(93) “Dolores” and Tony Williams 

Standard Rating 5 Difficulty Rating 6

“Dolores,” from Miles Smiles (1967), is a brisk, harmonically shifting Wayne Shorter composition that showcases the daring interplay of Miles Davis’s Second Great Quintet. Built on a 38-bar form (A–Interlude–B–Interlude–A), the tune moves fluidly through changing tonal centers and unexpected ii–V progressions, challenging soloists with its constant motion and amb...

(92) “Doin’ The Pig” and Bill Goodwin 

Standards Rating 1 Difficulty Rating 8 

“Doin’ the Pig,” composed by Steve Swallow and featured on Gary Burton’s Throb (1969), is a bold and funky example of early jazz fusion that blends jazz sophistication with rock’s rhythmic drive. The tune’s structure—divided into four sections (A, B, C, and D)—creates a constantly shifting landscape of rhythmic tension and release. The melody is jagged and...

Spyro Gyra, led by saxophonist and composer Jay Beckenstein, has been blending jazz, R&B, Latin, and Caribbean influences for over 50 years, creating an instantly recognizable sound that has earned them fans worldwide. Known for radio hits like "Morning Dance," "Shaker Song," and "Catching the Sun," the band continues to make their music fresh and accessible while showcasing top-tier musicianship. ...

(91) “Django” and Modern Jazz Quartet 

Standards Waiting 7 Difficulty Waiting 6 

John Lewis’s composition “Django” (1954) stands as one of the Modern Jazz Quartet’s most enduring works. Written as a tribute to Belgian guitarist Django Reinhardt, the piece blends a solemn, dirge-like opening with a swinging solo section, reflecting both Lewis’s classical training and the group’s jazz roots. Miles Davis praised “Django” as one of t...

Irish-born guitarist, arranger, and educator David O’Rourke has built a distinguished career bridging performance, composition, and mentorship. Mentored by jazz great Louis Stewart and later aided by Bucky Pizzarelli, he arrived in the U.S. in 1982, inspired by Pat Martino, with whom he would later collaborate. O’Rourke has performed with legends including Tommy Flanagan, Cedar Walton, and Jackie McLean, and his arranging credits s...

(90) “Dizzy Atmosphere” and Arturo Sandoval

Standards Rating 7, Difficulty Rating 6 

“Dizzy Atmosphere” (1945) is a bebop standard composed by Dizzy Gillespie and first recorded with Charlie Parker. Built on George Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm” changes, the tune exemplifies bebop’s innovation through angular melodies, rhythmic variety, and harmonic daring. The A section’s compact four-note triplet motif creates instant character, while t...

Braxton Cook is an American alto saxophonist, singer-songwriter, and one of the leading voices of his generation in jazz and beyond. Raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, he studied at Juilliard under Ron Blake and Steve Wilson before joining Christian Scott’s touring band. Cook has since performed with Christian McBride, Jon Batiste, Rihanna, and Mac Miller, and was hailed by Fader as a “jazz prodigy.” His solo career began with the ...

(89) “Dexterity” and Barry Harris 

Standards Rating 7 and Difficulty Rating 7  

Charlie Parker’s 1947 composition “Dexterity” epitomizes bebop. Built on the chord changes of Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm,” its angular melody and flowing ii–V progressions reveal Parker’s genius for reshaping familiar structures into fresh, logical lines. The tune became a touchstone for generations, including pianist Barry Harris, one of bebop’s most d...

Love, Life, and Jazz: Abena Koomson Davis and Steve Davis

The 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...