Jazz Songs

Description: Jazz Songs Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Iconic Jazz Classics
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: jazz music jazz standards jazz history jazz artists
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Which jazz standard was composed by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn?

  1. A) Satin Doll

  2. B) Take Five

  3. C) My Funny Valentine

  4. D) All of the Above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn collaborated on many jazz classics, including 'Satin Doll', 'Take Five', and 'My Funny Valentine'.

Who wrote the lyrics for the jazz classic 'Summertime'?

  1. A) George Gershwin

  2. B) DuBose Heyward

  3. C) Ira Gershwin

  4. D) Dorothy Heyward


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

DuBose Heyward wrote the lyrics for 'Summertime', which was originally featured in the opera 'Porgy and Bess'.

Which jazz song is known for its iconic trumpet solo by Miles Davis?

  1. A) 'Round Midnight'

  2. B) 'So What'

  3. C) 'Kind of Blue'

  4. D) 'All Blues'


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Miles Davis' trumpet solo in 'So What' is considered one of the most iconic and influential solos in jazz history.

Which jazz standard was written by Thelonious Monk?

  1. A) 'Blue Monk'

  2. B) 'Round Midnight'

  3. C) 'Straight, No Chaser'

  4. D) All of the Above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Thelonious Monk composed all of the jazz standards mentioned: 'Blue Monk', 'Round Midnight', and 'Straight, No Chaser'.

What is the name of the jazz song that features a scat singing solo by Ella Fitzgerald?

  1. A) 'A-Tisket, A-Tasket'

  2. B) 'Cheek to Cheek'

  3. C) 'Summertime'

  4. D) 'How High the Moon'


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Ella Fitzgerald's scat singing solo in 'How High the Moon' is considered a masterpiece of vocal improvisation.

Which jazz song is known for its complex harmonies and intricate melodies?

  1. A) 'Giant Steps'

  2. B) 'My Favorite Things'

  3. C) 'Take Five'

  4. D) 'Blue Train'


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

'Giant Steps' by John Coltrane is renowned for its challenging harmonic structure and rapid tempos.

Who wrote the lyrics for the jazz standard 'I Got Rhythm'?

  1. A) Ira Gershwin

  2. B) George Gershwin

  3. C) DuBose Heyward

  4. D) Dorothy Heyward


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Ira Gershwin wrote the lyrics for 'I Got Rhythm', which was composed by his brother George Gershwin.

Which jazz song features a memorable saxophone solo by John Coltrane?

  1. A) 'My Favorite Things'

  2. B) 'Giant Steps'

  3. C) 'Blue Train'

  4. D) 'A Love Supreme'


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

John Coltrane's saxophone solo in 'My Favorite Things' is considered one of his most iconic and influential performances.

What is the name of the jazz standard that was originally featured in the musical 'Porgy and Bess'?

  1. A) 'Summertime'

  2. B) 'Bess, You Is My Woman Now'

  3. C) 'I Got Plenty o' Nuttin''

  4. D) All of the Above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the jazz standards mentioned ('Summertime', 'Bess, You Is My Woman Now', and 'I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'') were originally featured in the musical 'Porgy and Bess'.

Which jazz song is known for its distinctive bassline played by Charles Mingus?

  1. A) 'Moanin''

  2. B) 'Straight, No Chaser'

  3. C) 'All Blues'

  4. D) 'So What'


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Charles Mingus' bassline in 'Moanin'' is considered one of the most iconic and recognizable basslines in jazz.

Who wrote the lyrics for the jazz standard 'Autumn Leaves'?

  1. A) Johnny Mercer

  2. B) Jacques Prévert

  3. C) Joseph Kosma

  4. D) All of the Above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Johnny Mercer, Jacques Prévert, and Joseph Kosma collaborated on the lyrics for 'Autumn Leaves', which was originally a French song titled 'Les Feuilles Mortes'.

Which jazz song is known for its use of polyrhythms and complex time signatures?

  1. A) 'Take Five'

  2. B) 'Giant Steps'

  3. C) 'So What'

  4. D) 'All Blues'


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

'Giant Steps' by John Coltrane is known for its challenging harmonic structure, rapid tempos, and use of polyrhythms and complex time signatures.

What is the name of the jazz standard that was written by Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker?

  1. A) 'A Night in Tunisia'

  2. B) 'Groovin' High'

  3. C) 'Salt Peanuts'

  4. D) All of the Above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker collaborated on all of the jazz standards mentioned: 'A Night in Tunisia', 'Groovin' High', and 'Salt Peanuts'.

Which jazz song is known for its memorable piano solo by Art Tatum?

  1. A) 'Tea for Two'

  2. B) 'Over the Rainbow'

  3. C) 'Stardust'

  4. D) All of the Above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Art Tatum recorded memorable piano solos for all of the jazz standards mentioned: 'Tea for Two', 'Over the Rainbow', and 'Stardust'.

What is the name of the jazz standard that was originally featured in the film 'Casablanca'?

  1. A) 'As Time Goes By'

  2. B) 'La Marseillaise'

  3. C) 'Over the Rainbow'

  4. D) 'Summertime'


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

'As Time Goes By' by Herman Hupfeld was featured in the film 'Casablanca' and became a jazz standard.

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