The Jazz Real Book

New Jersey-based jazz guitarist and composer Larry Corban returns with his sixth album, Beyond the Grid, released in October 2026 on Deko Entertainment. The recording features an exceptional quartet with bassist and producer Harvie S, two-time Grammy nominee Miki Hayama on piano, Fender Rhodes, organ, and synthesizer, and Jason Tiemann on drums and percussion.

Building on the success of his previous releases, including Corban Nation and Emergence, Corban continues to explore the intersection of straight-ahead jazz, contemporary harmony, and adventurous improvisation. His music reflects a deep appreciation for the hard bop and post-bop traditions of the 1960s while maintaining a distinctly modern voice.

Beyond The Grid represents another chapter in Corban's evolution as a guitarist, composer, and bandleader, bringing together accomplished musicians whose collective experience and creativity promise an engaging musical experience.

“Half Nelson” and Nelson Boyd

Miles Davis’ “Half Nelson,” recorded on August 14, 1947, is a classic bebop example and a tribute to bassist Nelson Boyd (1928–1985), who played on the original session. Based on the chord changes of Tadd Dameron’s “Lady Bird,” the composition features a 32-bar AABA form, angular melodic lines, syncopation, and sophisticated harmonic movement. The recording includes Charlie Parker on tenor saxophone, John Lewis on piano, Boyd on bass, and Max Roach on drums. Davis delivers some of his finest early bebop playing, while Parker’s unusual tenor sound and Roach’s energetic breaks stand out. Born in Camden, New Jersey, Boyd worked with such jazz giants as Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins, and Fats Navarro. Although often overlooked, Boyd contributed significantly to bebop’s development and also participated in Davis’s historic Birth of the Cool sessions.

Miles Davis 1947

Miles Davis 1951-Live Version 

The Jazz Real Book Playlist Vol. 2 

Cyrus Chestnut Interview

Pianist Cyrus Chestnut has spent more than four decades establishing himself as one of jazz’s most distinctive and soulful voices. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Chestnut developed his musical foundation through gospel, classical music, and the blues before studying at Berklee College of Music. His remarkable career includes collaborations with Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison, and Jon Hendricks, along with an extensive catalog of recordings as a leader. Known for his extraordinary technique, swinging rhythms, and deep gospel influences, Chestnut continues to captivate audiences worldwide. On Saturday, November 28, 2026, he will receive the prestigious Giants of Jazz Award at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), recognizing his outstanding contributions to jazz. Despite his accomplishments, Chestnut remains remarkably humble, viewing himself as a lifelong student of music. For him, the greatest reward has always been the opportunity to inspire others through his art.

“Gypsy In My Soul” and Mildred Bailey (141) 

Written in 1937 by Clay Boland and Moe Jaffe, “Gypsy in My Soul” became a popular jazz standard, celebrated for its memorable melody and swinging character. The lyrics explore themes of freedom, restlessness, and the desire for adventure. One of its finest interpretations came from vocalist Mildred Bailey, a pioneering swing-era singer known for her effortless phrasing and warm, expressive voice. Recorded in December 1945, Bailey's version features an outstanding small ensemble, including vibraphonist Red Norvo, whose fluid solo beautifully complements her vocals. The performance captures Bailey's remarkable ability to swing with subtlety, sophistication, and relaxed musical freedom.

Mildred Bailey 

Oscar Peterson Trio 

The Jazz Real Book Playlist Vol. 2

Jon Faddis Interview

One of jazz history's most extraordinary trumpeters, Jon Faddis has dazzled audiences for more than five decades with his remarkable range, technical brilliance, and deep understanding of bebop. Born in Oakland, California, in 1953, Faddis became a teenage prodigy and a protégé of the legendary Dizzy Gillespie. His career includes performances with Lionel Hampton, Charles Mingus, and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. Beyond his solo career, Faddis has directed the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars, and Chicago Jazz Ensemble.

On November 12, 2026, Faddis headlines Miles @100 with Jon Faddis & Friends at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark, celebrating Miles Davis's centennial and his landmark recordings Birth of the Cool and Kind of Blue. Joining him are Steve Turre, Gary Smulyan, Erena Terakubo, and other distinguished musicians for an evening honoring one of jazz's greatest innovators.

“Guilty” and  Ray Noble (140) 

“Guilty,” written in 1931 by Richard A. Whiting and Harry Akst, with lyrics by Gus Kahn, is a romantic standard that uses criminal guilt as a metaphor for falling deeply in love. The song features a classic 32-bar AABA form, a memorable melody, and sophisticated harmonies that incorporate augmented dominants, diminished chords, and subtle key changes. Ray Noble (1903–1978), the celebrated British composer, arranger, and bandleader, helped define this era's elegant orchestral sound. Known for his sophisticated arrangements and collaborations with vocalist Al Bowlly, Noble also composed enduring standards including “The Very Thought of You” and “Cherokee.” Although Bowlly originally recorded “Guilty” with Roy Fox's orchestra, the song reflects the romantic sophistication associated with Noble's musical legacy.

Ray Noble and Al Bowlly 

Billie Holiday 

The Jazz Real Book Podcast Playlist 

Ryan Keberle – Trombonist, Composer & Educator

Ryan Keberle (born June 16, 1980) is an acclaimed American jazz trombonist, composer, arranger, and educator known for lyrical playing, innovative compositions, and a blend of jazz with diverse musical traditions. A leading voice in contemporary jazz, Keberle has collaborated with David Bowie, Wynton Marsalis, Maria Schneider, and Alicia Keys. He leads several ensembles, including Catharsis and Collectiv do Brasil, and co-leads the chamber jazz trio Reverso. He also directs the jazz program at Hunter College in New York.

His newest album, Here Is Donato!, scheduled for release October 23, 2026, on Alternate Side Records, features his Brazilian ensemble Collectiv do Brasil. The recording celebrates Brazilian pianist João Donato's compositions, blending modern jazz improvisation with Brazilian rhythms and melodies. Featuring pianist Felipe Silveira, bassist Felipe Brisola, drummer Paulinho Vicente, and percussionist Guegué Medeiros, the album reflects Keberle’s continuing exploration of musical traditions across cultures.

“Grow Your Own” and Sam Brown (139) 

Keith Jarrett’s “Grow Your Own,” recorded by Gary Burton’s quintet for the 1971 album Gary Burton & Keith Jarrett, captures the adventurous spirit of early jazz-rock fusion. Featuring Burton on vibraphone, Jarrett on electric piano and soprano saxophone, Sam Brown on guitar, Steve Swallow on bass, and Bill Goodwin on drums, the composition combines intricate rhythms with unconventional harmony. Its unusual structure includes a 15-bar A section, a funky two-bar B section, and a lyrical eight-bar C section. Syncopated melodies, unexpected chord changes, and shifting harmonic rhythms give the piece an exciting, unpredictable character.

Guitarist Sam Brown (1939–1977) was a remarkably versatile musician whose career crossed jazz, rock, and experimental music. Beyond his work with Burton and Jarrett, he recorded with Charlie Haden, Bill Evans, Carla Bley, and Paul Motian. Although largely overlooked today, Brown’s creativity and adaptability made him an important contributor to jazz’s evolving sound during the 1970s.

Gary Burton and Keith Jarrett 

Gary Burton -Live 

The Jazz Real Book Podcast Playlist

Lawrence Haber — Bassist, Composer & Bandleader

Lawrence Haber is an accomplished electric and upright bassist, composer, and bandleader with over 25 years of experience performing and recording throughout the New York metropolitan area and Jersey Shore. In 2026, Haber released, Subtle Moves In Silence his first album as a bandleader, showcasing his original compositions, sophisticated musicianship, and collaborations with outstanding New York-area musicians. The project highlights his creative vision and versatility as a composer and bassist.

“Groovin High’ and Diz and Bird  in 1945 (138) 

1945 was a landmark year for bebop, with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie establishing a revolutionary new direction in jazz. Their recording of “Groovin’ High,” based on the chord changes of the 1920 popular song “Whispering,” demonstrated bebop’s harmonic and melodic sophistication. Gillespie’s arrangement featured a six-bar introduction, three key changes, and a half-time coda. The 32-bar composition uses two 16-bar sections with different endings, incorporating syncopated eighth-note runs, melodic leaps, chromatic movement, and unexpected ii–V progressions. Parker and Gillespie’s remarkable unison playing and improvisations highlighted their musical chemistry. Their partnership flourished throughout 1945 but weakened following their California engagement, largely because of professional differences and Parker’s addiction. Although they pursued separate careers, their collaboration helped establish the foundation of modern jazz.

Dizzy Gillespie 1945 

Dizzy Gillespie 1947

The Jazz Real Book Playlist Podcast