Same Difference: 2 Jazz Fans, 1 Jazz Standard

It's time for another dive into the sometimes risky world of John Coltrane, with his most interesting Jazz standard "Equinox" on this episode of Same Difference! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Coltrane, Hubert Laws, Kenny Garrett, Tito Puente, Gato Barbieri, and new-to-us artist Stephen Riley.

On this very special episode of Same Difference, we're giving you a peek behind the "Velvet Rope" of our members-only Patreon content! AJ and Johnny have combined a few previous Patreon-exclusive episodes to bring you this look back at The Playboy Jazz festival. Along with their guests, A. Scott Galloway and Tom McGuinness, you'll hear a wealth of music recorded live at the PJF and other great Jaz...

It's another experiment for us on this episode of Same Difference, as we feature ALL new-to-us artists (well, except for one). Join AJ and Johnny as they discuss versions of the Jazz standard "Puttin' On The Ritz" by Fred Astaire (the one we DO know), The Dr. Jazz Dixieland Band, Dukes And Dukies, Ashlae Blume, The Original Wildcat Jass Band, and Antonia Bennett.

We're actually surprised we haven't done this song already, but this episode brings you the very popular Jazz standard "I've Got You Under My Skin"! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Frank Sinatra with Count Basie, Diana Krall, Dinah Washington, Charlie Parker, Louie Prima, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, and new-to-us artist Michael Sinatra (yes, they're related).

The fun Jazz standard "Old Devil Moon" takes a turn under the Same Difference microscope this episode. Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Charlie Spivak, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Miles Davis, Tito Puente, and new-to-us artist Hilary Kole.

We've been talking about doing this for a long time. On this episode of Same Difference, we revisit the standard we started the whole podcast series with, Duke Ellington's "Take The A Train"! Join AJ and Johnny as they take a fresh look at this Jazz classic, with versions by Duke, Ella Fitzgerald, The Side Street Strutters, Tito Puente, and new-to-us artist Planet D NoNet.

It's a listener request! Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" goes under the microscope on this edition of Same Difference. Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions of this Hard Bop Jazz standard by Herbie, Mongo Santamaria, Woody Herman, Buddy Guy, and new-to-us artist The Langley Ukulele Ensemble.

Are you familiar with the term "vocalese"? We may have mentioned it from time to time, but neither of us really know what it means. That is, until we recorded this episode! Join AJ and Johnny as we listen to and discuss versions of the casually fun Jazz standard "Doodlin'", which feature some fine examples of "vocalese". Along the way, you'll hear recordings by Horace Silver, Count Basie with Lamb...

Jazz vocalist Shaymus Hanlin joins us for this edition of Same Difference, as 2 Jazz fans and 1 Jazz musician take in the beautiful ballad "I Fall In Love Too Easily". Join AJ, Johnny and Shaymus as they listen to and discuss versions by Frank Sinatra, Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Carmen McRae, the Harris Hamilton Quintet, and of course the Shaymus Hanlin Quartet!

Can AJ find us a version of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" that doesn't have any strings? Tune in to this episode of Same Difference and find out! Johnny and AJ will listen to and discuss versions of this beautiful Jazz standard by Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole, Clifford Brown, The Platters, Coleman Hawkins, and new-to-us artist Cait And The Critters.

We're going WAY back to the beginning - the VERY beginning - for this episode of Same Difference, as we listen to the very first commercially available Jazz recording, Livery Stable Blues! Join AJ and Johnny as they discuss versions of this pioneering Jazz standard by The Original Dixieland Jass Band, W.C. Handy's Memphis Blues Band, Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball, The Side Street Strutters, and new-to-us...

If you've seen the movie Casablanca (and/or Sleepless In Seattle), then you're already familiar with this episode's standard, the romantic "As Time Goes By". Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Dooley Wilson, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Jimmy Durante, Anita O'Day, and new-to-us artist The Giovanni & Jasmine Tommaso Quintet.

So just who did write "Flying Home"? Who recorded it first? What's it all about? In this episode of Same Difference, AJ and Johnny answer all these questions and more, while listening to versions of this fun Jazz standard by Lionel Hampton, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Tito Puente, and new-to-us artist The Robert Bell Hot Swing Combo.

We're kicking off 2023 with the delightful Jazz standard "Shiny Stockings"! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Count Basie & Ella Fitzgerald, The Side Street Strutters, Dexter Gordon, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Katie Thiroux, and new-to-us artist Swamp Kitchen.

It's our annual holiday episode, with the Christmas classic "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra, Chris Isaak & Stevie Nicks, Harry Connick Jr., Straight No Chaser, Arturo Sandoval, and new-to-us artist the Tiger Dixie Band.

"Good Morning Heartache" is under the microscope on this edition of  Same Difference! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Billie Holiday, Chris Botti & Jill Scott, Tomy Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, and new-to-us artist Mayte Alguacil. And to keep up on all things in the current Jazz world, check out the podcast "Something Came From Baltimore": https://podcas...

In the great tradition of Jazz - that is, experiment and improvise - we're trying a new format on this episode of Same Difference. Don't worry, we're not changing the show now and forever, but we thought we'd branch out and try looking at a specific Jazz musician (rather than a Jazz song) this time. While Jazz musicians know the name Sidney Bechet quite well, his is not a name most people recogniz...

We're back from the Sun Valley Jazz Festival and ready to go on Duke Ellington's "Caravan" for this episode of Same Difference. Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Duke, Nat King Cole, Dr. John, Wynton Marsalis, The Side Street Strutters, and new-to-us artist Vern Spevak. We also spend some time remembering great moments from Sun Valley!

It's an A-List of performers on this episode of Same Difference with the delightful Jazz standard "Nice Work If You Can Get It". Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Teddy Wilson & Billie Holiday, Miles Davis & Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, and new-to-us artist The Wendy Lee Taylor Quartet.

Time to explore some Woody Herman music, and what better place to start than his classic "Woodchopper's Ball"? Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions of this upbeat Jazz standard by Woody Herman, Duke Ellington, Bill Harris, Acker Bilk, and new-to-us artist Paulo Tomelleri.

It's our 100th episode! To celebrate this Same Difference milestone, we're taking a look at the King-Oliver-written-but-made-famous-by-Satchmo classic "West End Blues". Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Doc Severinsen, Cornet Chop Suey, and new-to-us artist Etta Baker.

Nina Simone's hit "My Baby Just Cares For Me" takes center stage on this episode of Same Difference! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Nina, the King Cole Trio with Woody Herman, Julie London, Joe Williams and the Count Basie Orchestra, Cyndi Lauper (yes, THAT Cyndi Lauper!), and new-to-us artist Ledisi.

It's our first ever full-fledged Latin Jazz standard today, Tito Puente's most famous composition, "Oye Como Va", however it wasn't Tito who made it famous! Join AJ and Johnny as they discuss versions by Tito, Santana, Bobby Hutcherson, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente Jr., and new-to-us artist The New Orleans Nightcrawlers. Oh, and one more...

The Andrew Sisters' first big hit goes under the Same Difference microscope today, with the song "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen". Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Regina Carter, The Hot Sardines, and new-to-us artist Rebecca Parham.

Duke Ellington's upbeat standard "Perdido" takes the spotlight on this episode of Same Difference! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss versions by Duke, Louis Armstrong, The Red Norvo Quintet (or is it a sextet?), Mar De Copa (well, um, sort of), "The Quintet" featuring Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, and new-to-us artist Art Lillard and Blue Heaven featuring William Ash. Plus, he...