When Music Was Really Music Trivia Quiz

Answer: Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington (1899-1974) led his jazz orchestra from 1923 until his death. His signature song, "Take the 'A' Train", was composed in 1939.

Answer: Artie Shaw

Artie Shaw (1910-2004) was known for being one of the world's greatest jazz clarinetists, and for his eight marriages. He stopped playing the clarinet in 1954, saying "I have taken the clarinet as far as anyone can possibly go. To continue playing would be a disservice."

Shaw wrote "Nightmare" in 1936, after being told that he would need to have a theme song to play at the start and stop of his live radio broadcasts. As the name suggests, "Nightmare", written in A minor, has a dark, foreboding feel to it. The three-note motif in "Nightmare" can be clearly heard in the theme song for the James Bond movies.

Answer: Glenn Miller

Glenn Miller had his own band from 1937 until 1942, when he enlisted in the army (despite being too old to be drafted). During that five-year period he had 16 number-one records and 69 top ten hits, featuring his unique sound emphasizing the clarinet and the saxophone.

While still in the army, he died crossing the English Channel in December of 1944. "Moonlight Serenade" is considered Miller's signature song, although both "In the Mood" and "String of Pearls" are also quite popular.

Answer: Cab Calloway

"Minnie the Moocher", recorded in 1931, is thought to be the first jazz record to sell a million copies. The song uses ad-libbed, nonsense syllables, known as scat.

Answer: Bunny Berigan

Bunny Berigan is one of the most tragic figures of the big band era. He had his own band from 1937 to 1942, and his trumpet-playing on "I Can't Get Started With You" is absolutely electrifying. Sadly, he died of alcoholism in 1942 at the age of only 33.

Answer: Count Basie

Count Basie (1904-1984) formed the Count Basie Orchestra in 1935, and it continued performing until Basie's death, except for two years in the early '50's when it had disbanded. His signature song, "One O'Clock Jump", was recorded in 1937.

Answer: Harry James

Harry James (1916-1983) was a trumpet-player who led his band from 1939 until his death. "Ciribiribin" is a ballad written way back in 1898, which James adopted as his theme song when he formed his band in 1939.

Answer: Woody Herman

Woody Herman was active until his death in 1987. He recorded his theme song, "Blue Flame", in 1941.

Answer: Guy Lombardo

Guy Lombardo (1902-1977) is known for his many New Year's Eve broadcasts. His first one was on radio in 1929, and he continued his traditional broadcasts until his death. His signature song, "Auld Lang Syne", dates back to a 1788 poem by the Scottish poet Robert Burns.

Answer: Xavier Cugat

Xavier Cugat (1900-1990) was born in Spain but grew up in Cuba. He led the Waldorf Astoria Orchestra in New York City for 16 years, starting in 1931. "My Shawl" was recorded by Cugat in 1933 and then updated in a 1947 recording.