Jazz History
This Southern city isn't just known for its Cajun food, it's also the birthplace of jazz.
What is New Orleans?
Performed by Duke Ellington and his orchestra, this song was composed by Billy Strayhorn in 1939 based on instructions Ellington gave him to travel to his house by subway. It is also one of the songs OxJazz performs at the beginning of the semester as a repertoire staple!
What is Take the A-Train?
This colorful type of scale was first published in the 1970 book "How to Play Jazz and Improvise" and is commonly used today by many groups, including OxJazz!
What is a blues scale?
A famous trumpeter, this artist is considered one of the most influential figures in jazz. He collaborated with other big names such as Ella Fitzgerald and recorded "What a Wonderful World" in 1967.
Who is Louis Armstrong?
The names and positions of the OxJazz executive team (this is a gimme question if you've been paying attention!).
Who are Kwoineh J. Haba (president), Jared Davis (VP), Ross Echols (PR Chair), and Samuel Chernoff (treasurer)?
In 1846, this instrument, which combines a wooden reed with a brass body, was first patented and is named after its inventor.
What is the saxophone?
Originally written and composed by Bart Howard in 1954, this song's time signature was altered from a 3/4 to 4/4 by Quincy Jones, the latter of which is more prominent in popular culture thanks to Frank Sinatra and Count Basie's 1964 cover. This was also covered by Claire Littley and was in the end credits for Neon Genesis Evangelion.
What is Fly Me to the Moon?
A musical composition with the genre our club plays that is widely known, performed, and/or recorded by musicians and widely known by listeners (i.e. Take the A-Train, The Girl from Ipanema, etc.).
What is a jazz standard?
This trumpeter and bandleader was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. His album "Kind of Blue" is considered one of the most popular jazz albums of all time,[4] having sold over five million copies in the U.S.
Who is Miles Davis?
Who is the club advisor for OxJazz? (This is also a gimme question if you take this professor's class or inquired about OxJazz and/or OxPep to this person from the music department!)
Who is Dr. Marvin McNeill?
It's showtime! Name the famous Harlem theater where jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald made her debut performance in November 1934.
What is the Apollo?
Composed in 1931 by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt with lyrics by Gus Kahn, this song has been performed and recorded at least 400 times. Its highest-charting success was in 1968 by Cass Elliot with The Mamas and the Papas, but it was performed by OxJazz last semester with the Ella Fitzgerald version from 1950 in mind for the scat improvisation and trumpet by Louis Armstrong.
What is Dream a Little Dream of Me?
The jazz term for the main section of a piece, often returned to after an improvised solo.
What is the head?
This American jazz singer is also called the "First Lady of Song" and was renowned for her scat singing. She also did several collaborations, including with Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington
Who is Ella Fitzgerald?
What is significant about the date April 30th?
What is International Jazz Day?
The movies "Whiplash" and "La La Land" helped put jazz performance on the big screen. Name their director, who is the youngest person ever to win the Oscar for Best Director.
Who is Damien Chazelle?
Composed by Koji Kondo for the Legend of Zelda franchise, this song has a 3/4 time signature and first appeared in the 1998 installment Ocarina of Time when taught to Link of Hyrule to summon rain. This was also the closing song for OxJazz's fall 2023 concert!
What is Song of Storms?
This style of jazz originated in the 1930s and is characterized by uneven 8th notes in a repeating pattern of long, short, long, short.
What is swing?
This jazz vocalist was known for her delivery and improvisation skills, and her collaboration with Teddy Wilson resulted in the jazz standard "What a Little Moonlight Can Do".
Who is Billie Holiday?
By now, you already know we're planning to perform a milestone celebration for George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, but do you know what date that is? (Extra 300 points -- technically, the "anniversary" was when RiB was first performed. What date did Gershwin first start composing the piece?
When was Feb. 12, 1924?; bonus 300 pts: When was Jan. 7, 1924?
The word "jazz" originates from this 1860 English word meaning "energy, vitality, spirit, and pep".
What is jasm?
This song was originally composed by Toru Minegishi in the hip-hop subgenre of G-funk but was performed by OxJazz in spring 2023 from an acid jazz arrangement by Kazumi Totaka. It first appeared in the video game Doubutsu no Mori from the Animal Crossing franchise and was performed by the musician character Totakeke (his stage name, if you know it, is a hint to the name of the song)!
What is K.K. Cruisin?
This jazz percussion technique involves very lightly playing bass drum hits on every quarter note to help the band keep time.
What is feathering?
This American artist, nicknamed "The Bear," is credited with recording the first known cello solos in jazz
If you are an OxStudies student or attend their events, you may be aware that two modern jazz musicians came to our campus last week and performed in Williams Hall -- and the concert was phenomenal! What were their names? Extra 100 points: respectively, what are their instruments?
Who are Kayla Williams and Chris McCarthy?; extra 100 points: Kayla Williams -- viola, Chris McCarthy -- piano