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Classic Jazz Trivia Quiz

See if you know the answers to these questions about the golden age of jazz.

A multiple-choice quiz by MsPrez. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
MsPrez

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
56,119

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
933

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which swing band was featured in the famous Carnegie Hall Concert of 1938? Hint

Cab Calloway Band

Artie Shaw Band

The Benny Goodman Band

Count Basie Orchestra

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Question 2 of 10

2. In 1937, the Count Basie Band featured two singers: Jimmy Rushing and who?

Answer: (A true lady! Give first name and last name.)

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Question 3 of 10

3. The energetic and laid-back styles of tenor saxophone were popularized by whom? Hint

Ben Webster and Hershel Evans

Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young

Illinois Jaquet and Roy Eldrige

Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which swing band drummer was said to play 'like the wind'? Hint

Max Roach

Philly Joe Jones

Jo Jones

Sonny Greer

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who was often introduced on radio as his mama's 'harmful little armful'?

Answer: (An outrageous stride piano player.)

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of the following artists did NOT play in a band that hailed from Kansas City? Hint

Walter Page

MaryLou Williams

Duke Ellington

Charlie Parker

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which trumpet player is one of the fathers of 'bebop'?

Answer: (Two Words)

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which Harlem stride pianist wrote 'The Charleston'? Hint

Fats Waller

Willie 'The Lion' Smith

James P. Johnson

Lucky Roberts

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which band had the 'All-American Rhythm Section'? Hint

Count Basie

Duke Ellington

Jimmie Lunceford

Andy Kirk

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Question 10 of 10

10. In the late 1930's, who led the house band at the Savoy in Harlem? Hint

Duke Ellington

Cab Calloway

Chick Webb

Jay McShann

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which swing band was featured in the famous Carnegie Hall Concert of 1938?

Answer: The Benny Goodman Band

Members of the Count Basie orchestra appeared on stage, but the whole band was not on the concert schedule.

2. In 1937, the Count Basie Band featured two singers: Jimmy Rushing and who?

Answer: Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday was ousted from the band after a year on the road with them. Rumor has it that John Hammond forced her out.

3. The energetic and laid-back styles of tenor saxophone were popularized by whom?

Answer: Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young

Lester 'Pres' Young was hired to replace Coleman Hawkins in the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. He was asked to leave because his style was so different from Hawkins, but Young went on to find huge success with the Count Basie Orchestra.

4. Which swing band drummer was said to play 'like the wind'?

Answer: Jo Jones

'Papa' Jo Jones, probably more than any other drummer of the swing period, poularized the hi-hat.

5. Who was often introduced on radio as his mama's 'harmful little armful'?

Answer: Thomas 'Fats' Waller

Few people realize that Fats Waller was an also impresario of the pipe organ.

6. Which of the following artists did NOT play in a band that hailed from Kansas City?

Answer: Duke Ellington

Although he greatly admired many of the Kansas City artists, the Duke came from Washington, DC and found fame at the Cotton Club in Harlem.

7. Which trumpet player is one of the fathers of 'bebop'?

Answer: Dizzy Gillespie

8. Which Harlem stride pianist wrote 'The Charleston'?

Answer: James P. Johnson

9. Which band had the 'All-American Rhythm Section'?

Answer: Count Basie

The Basie rhythm section--Basie, Jo Jones, Walter Page, and Freddie Green--helped the Basie band earn the title 'The swinginest band in the land'!

10. In the late 1930's, who led the house band at the Savoy in Harlem?

Answer: Chick Webb

Chick's hard-swinging band introduced to the world the first lady of song: Ella Fitzgerald.

Source: Author MsPrez

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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