(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 the finest jazz compositions, and it has since become a standard, celebrated for its sophisticated harmonic design and lyrical beauty. The Modern Jazz Quartet—Lewis on piano, Milt Jackson on vibraphone, Percy Heath on bass, and Connie Kay on drums—epitomized elegance in jazz, marrying formal structure with blues-infused improvisation. Their chamber-like approach helped define the “third stream” movement, expanding jazz’s artistic and cultural reach. A decade later, guitarist Joe Pass offered his own homage with For Django (1964), an album that reinterpreted Reinhardt’s legacy through a modern lens, further cementing the guitarist’s lasting influence.Modern Jazz Quartet Joe PassSpotify Playlist
--------
27:59
--------
27:59
Django and Modern Jazz Quartet
(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 the finest jazz compositions, and it has since become a standard, celebrated for its sophisticated harmonic design and lyrical beauty. The Modern Jazz Quartet—Lewis on piano, Milt Jackson on vibraphone, Percy Heath on bass, and Connie Kay on drums—epitomized elegance in jazz, marrying formal structure with blues-infused improvisation. Their chamber-like approach helped define the “third stream” movement, expanding jazz’s artistic and cultural reach. A decade later, guitarist Joe Pass offered his own homage with For Django (1964), an album that reinterpreted Reinhardt’s legacy through a modern lens, further cementing the guitarist’s lasting influence.Modern Jazz Quartet Joe PassSpotify Playlist
--------
27:59
--------
27:59
Django and The Modern Jazz Quartet
(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 the finest jazz compositions, and it has since become a standard, celebrated for its sophisticated harmonic design and lyrical beauty. The Modern Jazz Quartet—Lewis on piano, Milt Jackson on vibraphone, Percy Heath on bass, and Connie Kay on drums—epitomized elegance in jazz, marrying formal structure with blues-infused improvisation. Their chamber-like approach helped define the “third stream” movement, expanding jazz’s artistic and cultural reach. A decade later, guitarist Joe Pass offered his own homage with For Django (1964), an album that reinterpreted Reinhardt’s legacy through a modern lens, further cementing the guitarist’s lasting influence.Modern Jazz Quartet Joe PassSpotify Playlist
--------
27:59
--------
27:59
David O'Rourke Interview
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 span Lewis Nash, Terumasa Hino, and Steve Wilson. As founder of the O’Rourkestra Big Band and longtime director of youth programs at Jazz Standard/Jazz Generation, he continues to shape jazz’s future while honoring its deep traditions.
--------
1:49:12
--------
1:49:12
Dizzy Atmosphere and Arturo Sandoval
(90) “Dizzy Atmosphere” and Arturo SandovalStandards 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 the bridge departs from Gershwin’s model with a sequence of descending dominant sevenths, heightening tension before returning home. A signature recording from 1945 featuring Gillespie, Parker, Slam Stewart, and others captures bebop’s energy at its birth. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval (b. 1949) has carried this bebop legacy into the modern era. A virtuoso rooted in Afro-Cuban traditions, Sandoval blends dazzling technique with expressive power. His 1996 recording Swingin’ reimagines Gillespie’s bebop spirit, pairing high-energy improvisation with nods to classics like “Groovin’ High.” By fusing bebop brilliance with Latin fire, Sandoval illustrates the continuing vitality of Gillespie’s innovations.Dizzy Gillespie Arturo Sandoval Jazz Real Book 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.
Ireland