MUS195 - Jazz Quiz 2

What was Charlie Parker’s contribution to music?

He is one of the founder’s of bepop and revolutionized improv through his fast tempos, complex harmony ideas and creating a new standard for technical and creativeness on the alto saxophone. 

The Blue Devils were…?

a jazz band

Who did Jean Kruppa play with? What instrument did he play?

He played with the Benny Goodman orchestra and he played drums.

What happened to Buddy Bolden in the latter part of his life?

After a severe mental breakdown, he spent the remainder of his life in the Louisiana State Insane Asylum.

What happened to King Oliver in the later years of his life?

He ended up losing all of his teeth due to his diet of “sugar sandwiches.” Because of this, he was unable to play anymore and worked as a fruit/veggie stand owner until his death. He died poor.

Who was Sidney Bichet? What instrument did he play?

He was a pioneering New Orleans jazz musician who played clarinet and soprano saxophone. He contributed a lot in the transition of jazz to Swing and was a good improvisor.

Who was Art Tatum?

He was a jazz artist who was known for his complex and unparalleled technical skill on the piano. He was also nearly blind and playing from memorization, he was influential on bepop musicians.

Who was Bix Beiderbecke?

He was a cornetist and pianist from Iowa, known for his unique and cool-toned improv that was coined to be the cool jazz style. He played with bands like the Wolverines and died from alcoholism at 28.

Name 2 of Duke Ellington’s famous songs.

It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing), Take the “A” Train

Who was Duke Ellington?

He was from DC and grew up in a rich family. He played the piano and led a famous orchestra and composed many songs. His orchestra became a house band at the Cotton Club, which helped him to gain national recognition through radio broadcasts.

What was the lindy hop?

A dance during Count Basie’s time, it consisted of flipping and swinging one another around. It was a new style of dance.

What were territorial bands and where did they play?

These were bands that would play one night shows and traveled around regions of the US. These areas included Kansas City, New York, Chicago, and even LA.

What were two of Billie Holiday’s famous recordings?

Strange Fruit and God Bless the Child 

Who was Ella Fitzgerald?

She was a popular jazz singer, known for her improv like a horn player and devised a technique called scatting. She ended up joining Chick Webb after auditioning and took over his band after his death. She had a softer and lady-like voice compared to Billie Holiday.

What contribution did Chick Webb have on music?

He contributed a lot to modern jazz drummer and was considered the architect of big band drumming. He also mentored many of the jazz greats like Ella Fitzgerald.

What type of music did Benny Goodman play?

He played swing music, known as the King of Swing.

Who was Coleman Hawkins?

The Father of the Tenor Saxophone, he was a popular jazz artist. He was a soloist in Fletcher Henderson’s band and was one of the first to lead a bepop recording with Dizzy Gillespie.

What happened to the music business in 1929?

The stock market crashed. Musicians were hit hard as there was fewer jobs and less income. Jazz clubs and ballrooms became central culture spaces.

Who was Count Basie? What band did he take over?

He was a famous pianist, composer and band leader who was famous for its swinging and Kansas City-style. He took over Bennie Moten’s band after his death. 

Who was Lester Young? What instrument did he play?

He played in the Count Basie orchestra and was known for his relaxed, light, lyrical tone. He played saxophone and was often considered to be Billie Holiday’s musical soulmate.