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Jazz Guitar Legends: Joe Pass Trivia Quiz

This quiz focuses on the life and music of jazz guitar legend Joe Pass.

A multiple-choice quiz by wmshipman. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
wmshipman

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
179,079

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
257

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. While Joe played guitar in jazz bands beginning when he was still in his teens, he disappeared from the music scene for over 10 years in the 1950s and early 1960s. Why did he "disappear"? Hint

He was a drug addict and did jail time

He travelled throughout Europe working as a busker

He joined the priesthood

He was a pilot in the Air Force

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Question 2 of 10

2. Born in New Brunswick, NJ, in 1929, Joe was practicing guitar for up to 8 hours a day by the time he was 10 years old, when most kids his age were outside playing ball. Why? Hint

He loved practicing

He suffered from a club foot

His father forced him to

He was an autistic savant

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was Joe's first album, recorded in 1962, marking the beginning of his comeback? Hint

Virtuoso

Sounds of Synanon

Speak Love

Surrender To Air

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Question 4 of 10

4. While Joe was of course influenced by other jazz guitarists, and also cited pianists as strong influences, what musicians did he say he drew inspiration from? Hint

Horn players

Drummers

Bass players

Singers

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Question 5 of 10

5. One of Joe's nicknames was? Hint

The Guru of Guitar

The Grand Puba of Plectrums

The President of Bebop Guitar

The Sultan of Six Strings

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Question 6 of 10

6. Joe recorded what landmark jazz album in December 1973? (Hint: it immediately launched him to stardom). Hint

Matador

Virtuoso, Vol. 1

Electric Guitarist

All Too Soon

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who was Joe's backing band on this landmark 1973 album? Hint

McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones

There was no backing band

Percy and Albert Heath

Tommy Flanagan and Oscar Pettiford

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Question 8 of 10

8. In the 1970s and 1980s Joe recorded three albums of duets with what jazz vocalist? Hint

Shirley Horn

Sarah Vaughan

Ella Fitzgerald

Peggy Lee

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Question 9 of 10

9. Pass recorded with all of these jazz legends except? Hint

Count Basie

Glenn Miller

Duke Ellington

Oscar Peterson

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Question 10 of 10

10. Joe passed away in Los Angeles, CA, on May 23, 1994 -- what was the cause of Joe's death? Hint

Cancer

Automobile Accident

Stroke

Drowning

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. While Joe played guitar in jazz bands beginning when he was still in his teens, he disappeared from the music scene for over 10 years in the 1950s and early 1960s. Why did he "disappear"?

Answer: He was a drug addict and did jail time

Joe did serve in the military, but after getting out he became a drug addict and ultimately served time behind bars. He did not emerge again as a recording artist until 1962.

2. Born in New Brunswick, NJ, in 1929, Joe was practicing guitar for up to 8 hours a day by the time he was 10 years old, when most kids his age were outside playing ball. Why?

Answer: His father forced him to

Joe's father, who worked in a steel mill, forced Joe to practice guitar from 7 to 8 hours a day because he thought Joe had talent. "I didn't like it -- I hated it," Joe later said of the experience, though he also said of his father "he deserves all the credit for how I play."

3. What was Joe's first album, recorded in 1962, marking the beginning of his comeback?

Answer: Sounds of Synanon

Synanon was a drug rehab clinic in Los Angeles where Joe had gone for treatment. All of the musicians on "Sounds of Synanon" were in the rehabilitation program there.

4. While Joe was of course influenced by other jazz guitarists, and also cited pianists as strong influences, what musicians did he say he drew inspiration from?

Answer: Horn players

Joe repeatedly pointed to Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and other prominent horn players as among his primary influences.

5. One of Joe's nicknames was?

Answer: The President of Bebop Guitar

Perhaps because of his devotion to artists like Charlie Parker, he was considered a wonderful "bop" guitarist.

6. Joe recorded what landmark jazz album in December 1973? (Hint: it immediately launched him to stardom).

Answer: Virtuoso, Vol. 1

"Virtuoso", which captures Joe playing a number of jazz standards without any backing band whatsoever, is a must-own for any jazz fan or guitarist. It is, quite frankly, the most amazing piece of technical artistry I've ever heard. "Matador" is a great album by Grant Green, "Electric Guitarist" is by John McLaughlin, and "All Too Soon" was recorded by Pass in 1980.

7. Who was Joe's backing band on this landmark 1973 album?

Answer: There was no backing band

Like I said, Joe was all by himself on "Virtuoso". Tyner (piano) and Jones (drums) support Grant Green on "Matador". The Heath Brothers (bass and drums, respectively) back up Wes Montgomery on "The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery". Flanagan (piano) and Pettiford (bass) held it down for Kenny Burrell on "Kenny Burrell, Vol. 2".

8. In the 1970s and 1980s Joe recorded three albums of duets with what jazz vocalist?

Answer: Ella Fitzgerald

Joe recorded three albums with "First Lady of Song" Ella Fitzgerald: "Take Love Easy" in 1973, "Fitzgerald and Pass . . . Again" in 1976 and "Speak Love" in 1982.

9. Pass recorded with all of these jazz legends except?

Answer: Glenn Miller

Can you imagine having recorded with both the Duke and the Count? Joe was surrounded by royalty!

10. Joe passed away in Los Angeles, CA, on May 23, 1994 -- what was the cause of Joe's death?

Answer: Cancer

Joe passed away after a courageous struggle with cancer.

Source: Author wmshipman

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