Episode 176: Tunes You Need to Know for a Jazz Jam Session, Part 1

You’ve been invited to an informal jam session and you want to make sure you are familiar with the tunes likely to be played or ‘called out’. Which ones do you need to know? I asked this question on a facebook site (The Jazz World) populated by jazz musicians and students.

The #1 thing they said you need to know are what is called ‘rhythm changes’. Just as important are the three different kinds of blues progressions.

They also chose a number of different tunes that are ‘must learns’.

On this episode I play great recordings of tunes with those needed changes and/or progressions, and some of the songs suggested.

For instance, I play a classic version of The Flintstones Theme by some of the world’s finest jazz players. How does that fit into this topic? Listen to find out.