Regarding memorizing a song-- in order to really perform a song decently, you should go beyond merely getting the words and notes correct. You should think about issues like phrasing, tempo, timbre, expression, emotion (or the lack of it), regional stylings and appropriate ornaments. If you're barely familiar with the song, and need to rely on the Blue Book (or any other printed source), it's probably an indication that you haven't thought out your performance enough. You're still relying on your cheat-sheet for the words and/or notes. How are you going to have the space in your mind to deal with the finer points that make the song come alive? The call for memorization is really a request to think through the song. Any of us can read it off the page, after all, but if we think about the song in advance, we might actually be able to interpret it! If you're truly timid, keep your cheat-sheet available on your lap open to the proper song for quick reference--and then try not to use it. Try to go beyond what's on the page and make it your own, so I'll want to listen to your version of the song.

--Charlie Baum