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.

Episode 109 - As Time Goes By

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.

Episode 108 - Flying Home

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.

Episode 107 - Shiny Stockings

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.

Episode 106 - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

"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://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-came-from-baltimore-jazz-blues-r-b-podcast/id1400504427

Episode 105 - Good Morning Heartache

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 recognize. He was every bit as groundbreaking as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, yet he never got the "marquee value" that they did, so today AJ and Johnny take a look at the life of Sidney Bechet, and try to figure out why he's not a household name. You'll hear plenty of music from Sidney, as well as interviews with musicians from the Sun Valley Jazz Festival, who offered up their knowledge and understanding of this overlooked musical genius. And while we're trying out new concepts, we invite you to check out "Something Came From Baltimore", a Jazz podcast from our new friend Thomas Gouker. While our podcast, "Same Difference", delves into the history of Jazz, Thomas's podcast focuses on what's currently happening in Jazz, so the two compliment each other well. Try downloading "Something Came From Baltimore" wherever you get your "Same Difference" podcasts from, and check out the show's Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/tomfunproductions

Episode 104 - Sidney Bechet

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!

Episode 103 - Caravan

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.

Episode 102 - Nice Work If You Can Get It

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.

Episode 101 - Woodchopper's Ball

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.

Episode 100 - West End Blues

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.

Episode 099 - My Baby Just Cares For Me

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...

Episode 098 - Oye Como Va

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.

Episode 097 - Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen

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, hear firsthand how Johnny pulled songs from his collection and sent them to AJ without actually listening to them first!

Episode 096 - Perdido

Let's have some good, light-hearted fun with the Nat King Cole classic "Straighten Up And Fly Right"! Join Johnny and AJ as they discuss this beloved Jazz standard, and listen to versions by the King Cole Trio, Natalie Cole, Carmen McRae, Jeff Goldblum, The Side Street Strutters, and new-to-us artist Gwen Perry.

Episode 095 - Straighten Up And Fly Right

Due to numerous summer obligations resulting in very limited time to record a new show, we've decided to give you all a look behind the velvet rope of our Patreon episodes! AJ and Johnny did a 2-part exploration of Nina Simone's career and music, and we've combined them into this one Same Difference regular episode. Take a listen here, learn all about Nina, and if you like what you hear, please subscribe to our monthly Patreon-exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/samedifferencejazzpodcast

Episode 094 - Nina Simone

Learn the truth about "Tuxedo Junction" on this episode of Same Difference; It was a big hit for Glenn Miller, but it was NOT his song! Join AJ and Johnny as they listen to and discuss the original version by Erskine Hawkins, as well as versions by Glenn Miller, Gene Krupa, Tito Puente, Ella Fitzgerald, and new-to-us artist Blue Champagne.

Episoce 093 - Tuxedo Junction

Our friend and esteemed music scholar, Dr. Steve Baur, joins us again for this edition of Same Difference, as we listen to and discuss various versions of the Miles Davis standard "Milestones", plus you'll get a full education on the definition and history of Modal Jazz. In addition to Miles, we'll hear versions by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman, the Turtle Island String Quartet, the Phil Collins Big Band, the San Francisco Jazz Collective, and Christian McBride.

Episode 092 - Milestones

It's the Ella Fitzgerald and Chick Webb signature song, "A Tisket A Tasket", on this episode of Same Difference! In addition to the original, we'll listen to and discuss versions by Natalie Cole, The Manhattan Transfer, Take 6, Sugarpie and The Candymen, and new-to-us artist the Mint Julep Jazz Band.

Episode 091 - A Tisket A Tasket

It's the song with 2 meanings on this episode of Same Difference! "Sophisticated Lady" as an instrumental has a decidedly different story than a version with vocals, and AJ and Johnny will explore both, including versions by Duke Ellington, Thelonius Monk, Toots Thieleman, Boz Scaggs, Mel Torme, and new-to-us artist Marian Barahona.

Same Difference: 2 Jazz Fans, 1 Jazz Standard

Same Difference: 2 Jazz Fans, 1 Jazz Standard

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