April in Paris Trivia Quiz

Answer: Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday was an influential jazz singer. 'Strange Fruit', an evocative song about lynchings in the Southern states of the US, is regarded as her signature song. Her cover of 'April in Paris' was released in 1958, a year before her death.

She lived a turbulent life, including a short prison sentence for drug possession, and her use of drugs and alcohol impacted her singing voice in later life.

Answer: Doris Day

'April in Paris' gave its name to a movie, a comedic story of mistaken identity, where Doris Day's character received an invitation to perform in Paris which was meant for the actress, Ethel Barrymore.

Doris Day was an actress and singer, who specialised in comedic roles, although she starred in Alfred Hitchcock's thriller 'The Man Who Knew too Much'. It was in this movie where 'Que, Sera, Sera' was performed for the first time. It won the Academy Award for Best Song in 1957.

Answer: Charlie Parker

One of 'Bird's' legacies is his development (with others) of 'bebop', a style of jazz with a fast tempo, complex chord progressions, improvisation and instrumental virtuosity. Parker played with many famous musicians of the age, including Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie. Due to a ban on recording after the 1942-1943 strike by the American Federation of Musicians, many of these performances were not recorded.

One of his best-known albums is 'Charlie Parker with Strings' and it was on this album that he recorded 'April in Paris.'

Answer: Louis Armstrong

The trumpet was Louis' instrument, although it caused much damage to his lips and mouth, including an ulcer which took several months to heal. He was also a well-known vocalist with his version of 'Hello, Dolly!' inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001.

'What a Wonderful World' was also a hit in 1988 after featuring in the Robin Williams hit movie 'Good Morning Vietnam'. It was also featured in the BBC radio play of 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy'.

He recorded 'April in Paris' with Ella Fitzgerald on their 1956 album, 'Ella and Louis'.

Answer: Count Basie

'April in Paris' was one of four Count Basie songs to be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. A prolific performer, his career spanned sixty years, and he collaborated with many well-known performers including Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. In later life he collaborated with Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.

A revised version of his recording of 'April in Paris' appeared in the movie 'Blazing Saddles.'

Answer: Sarah Vaughan

Her career spanned over 50 years, and she won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Her voice was described as being operatic in style, and she had an extensive vocal range. The New York Times described her portrayal of 'Send in the Clowns' as a 'three octave tour de force.'

Recorded in 1954, 'April in Paris' appeared on her self-titled album, which was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Answer: Frank Sinatra

The album 'Come Fly with Me' was released in 1958, and had travel as its theme. Other songs included on the album were 'Isle of Capri,' 'Let's Get Away from It All' and 'London by Night'. The song 'On the Road to Mandalay,' inspired by the Rudyard Kipling poem 'Mandalay,' was a cause of controversy after some of the words (and subsequently meaning) were changed in his version.

Sinatra was a prolific singer and actor nicknamed 'The Chairman of the Board'. In his 54 year career he recorded 59 studio albums and 297 singles.

Answer: Glenn Miller

Glenn Miller was a trombonist and big band leader. He had a number of hits including 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' which were among his three entries in the Grammy Hall of Fame. He volunteered to join the US Army Air Force in 1942, and subsequently disappeared whilst travelling to Paris in December 1944.

There are a number of theories surrounding his death, with the official explanation being that his plane crashed into the English Channel.

Answer: Sammy Davis Jr.

His version of 'April in Paris' was released in 1965. Sammy Davis Jr also recorded a version with Count Basie. He was a member of the infamous 'Rat Pack' led by Frank Sinatra, and regularly recorded and toured with members of this group.

Davis Jr was discriminated against due to his colour, and received threats due to his involvement with Kim Novak, and his marriage to May Britt.

Answer: Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett announced his retirement in 2021, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016. His neurologist felt that his active performing and recording regime had helped to protect his memory.

A prolific artist, his discography extends across nearly 70 years (1952-2021.) As of 2021, he has 61 studio albums including 11 live albums, 33 compilation albums, three video albums, one extended play and 83 singles. His final album was performed with Lady Gaga.