The Real Book [rebroadcast]

Fake Books

The history of fake books dates back to the 1940s when jazz musicians needed a practical way to perform a wide array of songs on demand. Roman Mars explains that the first fake books emerged from the Tune Dex, an index card system that provided essential song details and bite-sized sheet music 1. These books allowed musicians to "fake" their way through unfamiliar songs, becoming indispensable tools for gigging artists 2. However, the music publishers were not pleased, leading to FBI investigations and federal trials to suppress these bootleg collections 2.

They wanted musicians to buy their sheet music. And so the publishing companies started cracking down on fake book bootleggers.

--- Roman Mars

Despite their utility, early fake books were often illegible and outdated, failing to keep pace with the evolving jazz scene 2.

   

The Real Book

The creation of The Real Book in the 1970s marked a significant transformation in the world of jazz. Two students at Berkeley College of Music sought to create a fake book that reflected contemporary jazz, including updated chord changes and modern standards 3. Roman Mars notes that the book's aesthetic improvements, such as its hand-notated music and distinctive cover, made it both functional and visually appealing 4. The Real Book quickly became a must-have for serious musicians, despite its illegal status, as it was sold discreetly on street corners and under the table at music stores 5.

The world's most popular collection of jazz music was a totally unlicensed publication, a janky, self-published book created without permission from music publishers or songwriters.

--- Roman Mars

This bootleg bible of jazz not only provided a practical resource for musicians but also codified an insurgent art form, making it accessible to a new generation of jazz artists 5.