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On the web since 1999
Ken Nordine’s first “Word Jazz” recording featured a band who worked under the alias of the “Fred Katz Group.” Who was its leader?
Bob Brookmeyer
Stan Getz
Zoot Sims
Hank Mobley
Elmo Hope
Lee Morgan
Stan Kenton
Chico Hamilton
...April 28th, 2014
In 1959, this bandleader toured Europe with a group originally put together to play for Harold Arlen’s show Free and Easy. Who is he?
Gerry Mulligan
Mayard Ferguson
Gerald Wilson
Don Ellis
Gil Evans
Stan Kenton
Quincy Jones
Sun Ra
...February 17th, 2014
Lester Young was the “Pres.” Who became known as the “Vice Pres?”
Paul Quinichette
Dexter Gordon
Hank Crawford
Paul Gonsalves
Don Byas
Johnny Griffin
Arnett Cobb
Lou Donaldson
...February 3rd, 2014
Born Norma Egstrom in 1920, this singer was so scared during her first recording session that her boss, Benny Goodman, was encouraged to fire her. Goodman recognized her talent and kept her. Who is Norma Egstrom?
Anita O day
Billie Holiday
Doris Day
Lena Horne
Peggy Lee
June Christy
Jo Stafford
Mildred Bailey
...January 27th, 2014
Who was nicknamed “Hootie” after “becoming literally intoxicated by Kansas City’s nightlife?”
Willie Dixon
Walter Page
George E. Lee
Bennie Moten
Harlan Leonard
Jay McShann
Joe Turner
Buddy Tate
January 20th, 2014
What big band leader was known as “The 20th Century Gabriel?”
Billy Eckstine
Cootie Williams
Benny Carter
Jimmy Lunceford
Jay McShann
King Oliver
Erskine Hawkins
Roy Eldridge
...
January 13th, 2014
Her 1920 recording of “Crazy Blues” for Okeh was the first blues song recorded by an African American singer. Who is she?
Ethel Waters
Bessie Smith
Mamie Smith
Josephine Baker
Ma Rainey
Ida Cox
Sippie Wallace
...December 30th, 2013
This west coast-based musician was a hot tenor of the forties who appeared in many of the top jam sessions during his era, including “The Duel,” with Dexter Gordon. Who was he?
Wardell Gray
Jimmy Giuffre
Buddy Collette
Bob Cooper
Teddy Edwards
Richie Kamucka
Zoot Sims
Lucky Thompson
...December 23rd, 2013
This sultry singer experienced significant popularity during the 1950’s and 1960’s, appeared in film and on television, and was once married to TV’s “Joe Friday.” Who is she?
June Christie
Julie London
Betty Roche
Dinah Washington
Chris Connor
Anita O’Day
Rosemary Clooney
Lorez Alexandria
...December 16th, 2013
Before working with Woody Herman (and eventually marrying his singer Frances Wayne), this renowned composer/arranger contributed arrangements to Earl Hines’ big band, and subsequently played trumpet with, among others, Charlie Barnet, Horace Heidt and Charlie Spivak. Who was he?
Gil Evans
Pete Rugolo
Neal Hefti
Bill Holman
Benny Golson
Gerry Mulligan
Bob Brookmeyer
Eddie Sauter
...December 2nd, 2013
Immortalized by Jack Kerouac in On the Road, this musician answered to the name of “Dark Gable.” Who was he?
Billy Eckstine
Slim Gaillard
Earl Hines
Charlie Parker
Lester Young
Chick Webb
Coleman Hawkins
Duke Ellington
...November 18th, 2013
Who was once billed as “the world’s fastest saxophonist?”
...October 28th, 2013
This influential musician, composer and vocalist wrote the lyrics to Charlie Parker’s “Yardbird Suite.” Who is he?
...October 14th, 2013
Before following Anita O’Day as lead singer of Stan Kenton’s orchestra, she was known as Sharon Leslie, and sang with a group led by Boyd Raeburn. Who was she?
...October 7th, 2013
Born Lucius Venable, among this bandleader’s notable sidemen were Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Bill Doggett, and Dizzy Gillespie. Who was Lucius Venable?
...September 30th, 2013
This legendary musician studied with Sidney Bechet and took his place in Willie “The Lion” Smith’s group. Who was he?
...September 23rd, 2013
Ralph Ellison described this Oklahoma City native — eventually known as “Mr. Five by Five” — as once being a “compact, debonair young man who dressed with an easy elegance.” Who is he?
...September 17th, 2013
This saxophonist was best known for “Night Train,” a song based on Duke Ellington’s “Happy Go Lucky Local.”
Who was he?
...July 17th, 2013
“Adolphus” had one of the longest careers in the history of jazz, having played with, among others, Bessie Smith, McKinney’s Cotton Pickers, Cab Calloway, Teddy Wilson and Benny Goodman.
Who was “Adolphus”?
...July 3rd, 2013
”“Mingus au Paradis” by Manuel J. Grimaldi
The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work.... Manuel J. Grimaldi reads his poem at its conclusion
Click here to read previous editions of The Sunday Poem
Click here to read more book excerpts published on Jerry Jazz Musician
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