Presented here is an anthology of jazz and improvised music compositions made in Chicago from 1980 to 2010. Real book or fake book are the terms most commonly applied to such an anthology. Under the jazz umbrella, a real book is an essential tool for developing musicians, not only because it serves as an on-the-gig guide for working professionals, but also because it provides rich learning material for developing musicians eager to understand the lexicon. Traditional real books are a kind of text book for jazz musicians, frequently used, often tattered, and always heavily imbued with both the economic realities of working musicians and the gravity of the field in which they work.

While this book does serve in the aforementioned capacities, it has not been created solely for practitioners and students. It is my hope that it will also be enjoyed by scholars, collectors, newcomers, and longtime fans of the Chicago scene. First and foremost, I hope this real book will be a catalyst for dialogue, debate, and inspiration for those who wish to be a part of the community that birthed this collection. In today’s time period where we have access to more music than ever, we’ve lessened our fascination and conversation.  

In addition to the notated compositions, this book contains newly written overviews of each composer, provided by some of the journalists of the time that covered the Chicago scene in the pages of The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Chicago Reader, Newcity, Downbeat, JazzTimes and more. Their written work and critical interaction with the scene was integral to its life, and, as such their presence in this book provides further context for the conversation.

Get the book today with 160 pages of photos, stories, and music from this vibrant moment in Chicago’s music history.
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