The Real Book: A Bootlegged Jazz Bible
2025-03-28
Since the mid-1970s, nearly every jazz musician has owned a copy of 'The Real Book,' an illegally copied collection of jazz standards. Its story begins with earlier 'fake books' – simplified sheet music – evolving from Tune-Dex cards. Two Berklee College of Music students created a modern, updated version, reflecting contemporary jazz styles. Its popularity led to widespread bootlegging, until Hal Leonard legally published it. The book’s legacy, however, sparks debate about copyright and the very nature of jazz, with some criticizing its simplification of this complex art form.
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Music History