Same Difference: 2 Jazz Fans, 1 Jazz Standard

Let's have some good, light-hearted fun with the Nat King Cole classic "Straighten Up And Fly Right"! Join Johnny and AJ as they discuss this beloved Jazz standard, and listen to versions by the King Cole Trio, Natalie Cole, Carmen McRae, Jeff Goldblum, The Side Street Strutters, and new-to-us artist Gwen Perry.

Due to numerous summer obligations resulting in very limited time to record a new show, we've decided to give you all a look behind the velvet rope of our Patreon episodes! AJ and Johnny did a 2-part exploration of Nina Simone's career and music, and we've combined them into this one Same Difference regular episode. Take a listen here, learn all about Nina, and if you like what you hear, please subscribe to our monthly Patreon-exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/samedifferencejazzpodcast

Learn the truth about "Tuxedo Junction" on this episode of Same Difference; It was a big hit for Glenn Miller, but it was NOT his song! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss the original version by Erskine Hawkins, as well as versions by Glenn Miller, Gene Krupa, Tito Puente, Ella Fitzgerald, and new-to-us artist Blue Champagne.

Our friend and esteemed music scholar, Dr. Steve Baur, joins us again for this edition of Same Difference, as we listen to and discuss various versions of the Miles Davis standard "Milestones", plus you'll get a full education on the definition and history of Modal Jazz. In addition to Miles, we'll hear versions by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman, the Turtle Island String Quartet, the Phil Collins Big Band, the San Francisco Jazz Collective, and Christian McBride.

It's the Ella Fitzgerald and Chick Webb signature song, "A Tisket A Tasket", on this episode of Same Difference! In addition to the original, we'll listen to and discuss versions by Natalie Cole, The Manhattan Transfer, Take 6, Sugarpie and The Candymen, and new-to-us artist the Mint Julep Jazz Band.

It's the song with 2 meanings on this episode of Same Difference! "Sophisticated Lady" as an instrumental has a decidedly different story than a version with vocals, and AJ and Johnny will explore both, including versions by Duke Ellington, Thelonius Monk, Toots Thieleman, Boz Scaggs, Mel Torme, and new-to-us artist Marian Barahona.

One of the most recognizable movie theme songs of all time, it's "The Pink Panther" under the Same Difference microscope this episode! Join AJ and Johnny as they talk about the hilarious film and its sequels, plus listen to versions of this Jazz standard by Henry Mancini, Quincy Jones, St. Germain, Octobop, Kyle Eastwood, and new-to-us artist The Phil Norman Tentet!

In a Same Difference first, this episode features a song that neither of us were very familiar with (Johnny not at all)! It's "Nardis" under the microscope this episode, and we've got versions by Bill Evans, Cannonball Adderley, the San Francisco Jazz Collective, Joe Henderson, Damian Erskine, and new-to-us artist Trio Circle (although several of these artists are new to us!).

How fun can a Jazz song be? Well, "Alright OK You Win" might hold the answer! Join us this episode as we listen to versions of this lighthearted Jazz standard by Joe Williams and The Count Basie Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald with The Tommy Flanagan Trio, Dianne Schuur, Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett and Diana Krall, and new-to-us artist Wicked Rumble.

It's the delightfully delicious "Frim Fram Sauce" on this episode of Same Difference! John AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Diana Krall, John Pizzarelli, Down For The Count, and new-to-us artist Phil Wiggins and The Chesapeake Sheiks!