Classic Big Band Theme Songs Trivia Quiz

Answer: Nightmare

Shaw started his first band in 1936. Also known as "The King of the Clarinet", he was a more serious-minded musician than many others of that period who just wanted to ride the wave of popular music. Although "Nightmare" was his theme song (written by Shaw), he is probably better remembered for "Begin the Beguine". He passed away in 2010 at the age of 94.

Answer: Rose Room

"Rose Room" was written by Harry Williams and Art Hickman in 1917 and used in the movies "Somebody Loves Me" and "The Merry Monihans". Harris started out at the famous Cocoanut Grove night club in 1932. Known for his wisecracking persona, Harris was also a radio and TV performer and was among the regular cast of the popular radio program "The Jack Benny Show".

He was married to fellow entertainer Alice Faye. The novelty song "The Thing" was a big hit for him as was "That's What I Like About the South".

He passed in 1995 at age 91.

Answer: Artistry in Rhythm

Kenton was a relative late-comer to the big band scene starting his first orchestra in the 1940s. His popularity rose very quickly and he was soon booked into prestigious venues such as the Hollywood Palladium and the Roseland Ballroom. A piano player, composer and arranger, his style was termed "progressive jazz" and he wrote his theme song "Artistry in Rhythm".

As the big band era faded in the 1950s, he found himself reduced to playing many one-nighters. The strain of this took a toll on his health and he passed in 1979 at the relatively young age of 67.

Answer: Contrasts

Jimmy started out as a co-leader of a band with his brother Tommy. They eventually went their separate ways. Jimmy was a clarinet, saxophone player and composer. The theme song "Contrasts" was written by Dorsey. Some of his band's big hits were "Amapola", "Tangerine" and "Green Eyes". On his deathbed in 1957, his hit "So Rare" was near the top of the music charts.

Answer: Summertime

Bob Crosby was the brother of crooner Bing Crosby and they even performed together on occasion such as in "Play a Simple Melody". Bob was neither a musician or singer and was content just to be the leader of his own orchestra. He drifted away from the music business in the 1950s, but made a comeback in the 1970s with engagements at Disneyland.

He passed away in 1993 at age 79. "Summertime" was written in 1935 by George Gershwin for the production "Porgy and Bess".

Answer: Rhapsody in Blue

Whiteman, nicknamed "The King of Jazz", was close friends with the composer of his orchestra's theme song, George Gershwin. Whiteman's sound was more symphonic than many other contemporary dance bands and the rhapsody fit right in with his taste in music.

In the 1940s he dropped his former nickname and took up the sobriquet "The Dean of Modern American Music". Late in his career, he performed on more on radio and TV than in live venues. He passed away in 1967 at age 77.

Answer: Stardreams

"Stardreams" was composed in 1941 by Spivak along with Sylvia Dee and Sonny Burke. The orchestra leader, who also had the nickname "The Man Who Plays the Sweetest Trumpet in the World", started out in 1940 in Washington, D.C. His band was frequently featured on the radio program "Coca Cola Parade of Spotlight Bands" as well as appearing in several movies ("Follow the Boys" and "Pin Up Girl"). Late in his career, he trimmed sail and played nightclubs with a small ensemble.

He passed away in 1982 in his mid-70s.

Answer: Loyal Sons of Rutgers

Written by Philip Bliss, "Loyal Sons of Rutgers" was adapted by Nelson to use as his theme song - not surprising since Nelson was a 1930 alumnus. Ozzie employed a vocalist named Harriet Hilliard who he would eventually marry. This union produced two sons, David and Eric (a.k.a. Ricky).

They all starred in the long-running TV sit-com "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet". Ricky went on to become a performer in his own right, but was tragically killed in a plane crash in 1985. Ozzie popped up again on TV in 1973 with a short-lived series "Ozzie's Girls".

He died from cancer in 1975 at age 69.

Answer: Racing with the Moon

Although a trumpet player, Monroe was known more for his sonorous baritone singing. This is evident in some of his well-known hits such as "Ghost Riders in the Sky", "There, I've Said It Again" and "Ballerina". Together with Pauline Pope and Johnny Watson, Monroe penned his theme song in 1941.

In addition to his recordings, he also played radio and TV shows (e.g. "The Camel Caravan Show") and as an actor in moves such as "Singing Guns". He passed in 1973 at age 62 after undergoing stomach surgery.

Answer: Ciribiribin

The tall, lanky and mustached James had one of the more high-profile big bands and was known for his lively trumpet playing. He was also noted for having pin-up beauty Betty Grable for his wife. His ubiquitous band was seen and heard almost anywhere popular bands were to be seen and heard at that time - radio, ballrooms and dance halls.

He even appeared in several movies - "The Benny Goodman Story", "Young Man with a Horn" and "If I'm Lucky" and as a guest on TV shows such as "Happy Days", "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour" and "The Danny Thomas Show".

This theme song was composed by Alberto Pestalozza and Carlo Tiochet in 1898. Later English lyrics were written by Jack Lawrence. James remained active, even receiving two Grammy Awards, until his death in 1983 at age 67 from cancer.