How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Cannonball Adderley, Thelonious Monk, Count Basie, Nat king Cole, Illinois Jacquet, Ray Brown, Roy Eldridge, Stan Getz, Coleman Hawkins, Oscar Peterson, Flip Phillips, Herb Ellis, Papa Jo Jones, Art Blakey, The Jazz Messengers, Dave Brubeck, Milt Jackson, Ray Brown, Cedar Walton, Micky Roker, Shirley Horn, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington , Gene Krupa, Anita O’Day, Roy Eldridge, Miles Davis, Michael Brecker
They are the “Jazz Legends” performers selected among the 427 Posts we publish this week.
1. Which instrumentally diverse album features “Blue Monk” as its opening track?
- A *Monk’s Blues*
- B *Thelonious Alone in San Francisco*
- C *Thelonious Monk Trio*
2. What piece highlights Neal Hefti’s impact on the Count Basie Orchestra?
- A “Li’l Darlin’”
- B “Blue Monk”
- C “Dat Dere”
3. Which historic television program elevated jazz visibility by hosting an all-star ensemble?
- A *Jazz At The Philharmonic*
- B *The Nat “King” Cole Show*
- C *Jazz Casual*
4. Which hard bop composition by Bobby Timmons was notably recorded by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers?
- A “Blue Monk”
- B “Li’l Darlin’”
- C “Dat Dere”
5. The piece “Castilian Blues” is notable for its unusual time signature. What was its alternate title after a characteristic solo feature?
- A “Castilian Drums”
- B “Jazz Casual”
- C “Castilian Flute”
6. What was the precursor quartet formed by Milt Jackson and Ray Brown better known as?
- A The Modern Jazz Quartet
- B The Dave Brubeck Quartet
- C The Art Blakey Quintet
7. Which festival recording solidified Shirley Horn’s European jazz presence in 1981?
- A **Montreux Jazz Festival**
- B **North Sea Jazz Festival**
- C **Newport Jazz Festival**
8. What track from “Ella At Duke’s Place” captures the sentiment of exclusion at a dance?
- A “Let Me Off Uptown”
- B “Imagine My Frustration”
- C “Li’l Darlin’”
9. Which early 1940s collaboration was culturally notable for its interracial collaboration?
- A “Tutu”
- B “Imagine My Frustration”
- C “Let Me Off Uptown”
10. During which year did Miles Davis perform “Tutu” on *Night Music*?
- A 1988
- B 1989
- C 1990
11. On which album does Michael Brecker feature “Madame Toulouse”?
- A “Time Is of the Essence”
- B “Pilgrimage”
- C “Two Blocks from the Edge”
12. Which jazz standard did Abbey Lincoln contribute lyrics to in 1961?
- A “Blue Monk”
- B “Li’l Darlin’”
- C “Dat Dere”
Tracklist
And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “Blue Monk” opens *Thelonious Alone in San Francisco*, a 1959 solo piano album by Monk. Not only does the track set the tone, but it also showcases the nuanced simplicity Monk was beloved for.
2. “Li’l Darlin’” reflects Hefti’s influence on Basie’s “New Testament” band. This 1957 piece required precise tempos, redefining the ensemble’s melodic swing during the late ’50s.
3. *The Nat “King” Cole Show* was pivotal, featuring star-studded jazz performances on national television. Notable for its diverse line-up, it brought jazz to mainstream audiences.
4. “Dat Dere”, recorded by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, is a key piece in Bobby Timmons’ hard bop repertoire. Oscar Brown Jr.’s lyrics later turned it into a commentary on childhood wonder.
5. The Dave Brubeck Quartet’s piece gained fame as “Castilian Drums” following Joe Morello’s compelling solo. The composition originally showcased Brubeck’s exploration of odd time signatures.
6. Formed initially by Milt Jackson and Ray Brown, the group later became The Modern Jazz Quartet. Known for its sophisticated blend of bebop and blues, it was pivotal in jazz’s chamber music movement.
7. Shirley Horn recorded *All Night Long* during the **North Sea Jazz Festival** in 1981. Her performance cemented her status as a leading jazz vocalist in Europe.
8. “Imagine My Frustration”, from “Ella At Duke’s Place,” details attending a dance and feeling overlooked. It’s a collaboration blending Ellington’s arrangements with Fitzgerald’s vocal style.
9. “Let Me Off Uptown” by Krupa’s orchestra is culturally significant. Featuring Anita O’Day and Roy Eldridge, it broke racial barriers through musical collaboration in the segregated 1940s.
10. Miles Davis appeared on *Night Music* in 1989, performing “Tutu”. This piece exemplifies his late work’s integration of electronic and jazz elements, bringing innovation to televised performances.
11. “Madame Toulouse” opens Michael Brecker’s *Two Blocks from the Edge*. Recorded in 1997, the track features Brecker’s interplay as both a saxophonist and pianist.
12. Abbey Lincoln’s lyrics to “Blue Monk” emerged in 1961, adding vocal depth to Monk’s saxophone-rich composition. Her contribution elevated the tune’s recognition in jazz standards.
