Q 01/05

Benny Goodman's 1930s big-band fame earned him which royal nickname from the press?

A) King of Jazz

B) King of Swing

C) King of Ragtime

D) King of the Blues

Answer · why

B) King of Swing

King of Swing stuck to Goodman in 1936, though a drum company had first used the title to promote his own drummer. Radio announcers had been calling h...

Q 02/05

'Why Don't You Do Right?', recorded by Benny Goodman's band in 1942, is sung by which character in a 1988 film?

A) Betty Boop

B) Cruella de Vil

C) Jessica Rabbit

D) Ursula the Sea Witch

Answer · why

C) Jessica Rabbit

Jessica Rabbit performs it in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, with actress Amy Irving supplying the singing voice. The tune began life in 1936 under a differ...

Q 03/05

The NBC radio show that gave Benny Goodman his 1934 break was sponsored to promote which new snack?

A) Ritz Crackers

B) Fritos Corn Chips

C) Oreo Cookies

D) Animal Crackers

Answer · why

A) Ritz Crackers

Ritz Crackers were brand new when Nabisco sponsored the three-hour show, which ended abruptly in 1935 after a labor dispute at the company.

Q 04/05

Benny Goodman's 1938 concert, hailed as jazz's 'coming-out party', filled which New York venue?

A) Apollo Theater

B) Radio City Music Hall

C) Madison Square Garden

D) Carnegie Hall

Answer · why

D) Carnegie Hall

Carnegie Hall sold out weeks in advance, and the recording, released twelve years later, was among the first jazz albums to sell a million copies.

Q 05/05

Which drummer starred on Benny Goodman's 'Sing, Sing, Sing', then quit shortly after the famous 1938 concert?

A) Gene Krupa

B) Buddy Rich

C) Jo Jones

D) Dave Tough

Answer · why

A) Gene Krupa

Gene Krupa joined in December 1934 and became a national celebrity, until conflict with Goodman sent him off to form his own orchestra.