Same Difference: 2 Jazz Fans, 1 Jazz Standard

"Good Morning Heartache" is under the microscope on this edition of Same Difference! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Billie Holiday, Chris Botti & Jill Scott, Tomy Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, and new-to-us artist Mayte Alguacil.

And to keep up on all things in the current Jazz world, check out the podcast "Something Came From Baltimore": https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-came-from-baltimore-jazz-blues-r-b-podcast/id1400504427

In the great tradition of Jazz - that is, experiment and improvise - we're trying a new format on this episode of Same Difference. Don't worry, we're not changing the show now and forever, but we thought we'd branch out and try looking at a specific Jazz musician (rather than a Jazz song) this time.

While Jazz musicians know the name Sidney Bechet quite well, his is not a name most people recognize. He was every bit as groundbreaking as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, yet he never got the "marquee value" that they did, so today AJ and Johnny take a look at the life of Sidney Bechet, and try to figure out why he's not a household name. You'll hear plenty of music from Sidney, as well as interviews with musicians from the Sun Valley Jazz Festival, who offered up their knowledge and understanding of this overlooked musical genius.

And while we're trying out new concepts, we invite you to check out "Something Came From Baltimore", a Jazz podcast from our new friend Thomas Gouker. While our podcast, "Same Difference", delves into the history of Jazz, Thomas's podcast focuses on what's currently happening in Jazz, so the two compliment each other well. Try downloading "Something Came From Baltimore" wherever you get your "Same Difference" podcasts from, and check out the show's Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/tomfunproductions

We're back from the Sun Valley Jazz Festival and ready to go on Duke Ellington's "Caravan" for this episode of Same Difference. Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Duke, Nat King Cole, Dr. John, Wynton Marsalis, The Side Street Strutters, and new-to-us artist Vern Spevak. We also spend some time remembering great moments from Sun Valley!

It's an A-List of performers on this episode of Same Difference with the delightful Jazz standard "Nice Work If You Can Get It". Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Teddy Wilson & Billie Holiday, Miles Davis & Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, and new-to-us artist The Wendy Lee Taylor Quartet.

Time to explore some Woody Herman music, and what better place to start than his classic "Woodchopper's Ball"? Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions of this upbeat Jazz standard by Woody Herman, Duke Ellington, Bill Harris, Acker Bilk, and new-to-us artist Paulo Tomelleri.

It's our 100th episode! To celebrate this Same Difference milestone, we're taking a look at the King-Oliver-written-but-made-famous-by-Satchmo classic "West End Blues". Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Doc Severinsen, Cornet Chop Suey, and new-to-us artist Etta Baker.

Nina Simone's hit "My Baby Just Cares For Me" takes center stage on this episode of Same Difference! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Nina, the King Cole Trio with Woody Herman, Julie London, Joe Williams and the Count Basie Orchestra, Cyndi Lauper (yes, THAT Cyndi Lauper!), and new-to-us artist Ledisi.

It's our first ever full-fledged Latin Jazz standard today, Tito Puente's most famous composition, "Oye Como Va", however it wasn't Tito who made it famous! Join AJ and Johnny as they discuss versions by Tito, Santana, Bobby Hutcherson, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente Jr., and new-to-us artist The New Orleans Nightcrawlers. Oh, and one more...

The Andrew Sisters' first big hit goes under the Same Difference microscope today, with the song "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen". Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Regina Carter, The Hot Sardines, and new-to-us artist Rebecca Parham.

Duke Ellington's upbeat standard "Perdido" takes the spotlight on this episode of Same Difference! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Duke, Louis Armstrong, The Red Norvo Quintet (or is it a sextet?), Mar De Copa (well, um, sort of), "The Quintet" featuring Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, and new-to-us artist Art Lillard and Blue Heaven featuring William Ash. Plus, hear firsthand how Johnny pulled songs from his collection and sent them to AJ without actually listening to them first!