The Real Book - Sixth Edition - C Edition offers a vast collection of songs along with a rich history. Originally used by jazz musicians in the 1940s, these "Fake Books" contained simplified versions of compositions, allowing musicians to improvise during performances. However, production and distribution of these books were illegal. In the 1970s, two students from Berklee created The Real Book, a more organized and legitimate version. Over the years, various editions were published, but none was completely legal until Hal Leonard acquired the rights. The Real Book 6th Edition recognizes its previous illegal predecessors while including works from jazz legends like Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonius Monk. With 400 titles, this sheet music book is a must-have for jazz players who appreciate the classics. While this edition is intended for C instruments, other versions are available for B-flat, E-flat, and Bass Clef.