Singers & Vocalist Jazz Singers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which male jazz vocalist is known as 'Ol' Blue Eyes'?
- Tony Bennett
- Nat King Cole
- Frank Sinatra (Correct answer)
- Dean Martin
Correct answer: Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra earned the nickname 'Ol' Blue Eyes' and is considered one of the greatest interpreters of popular American song in jazz tradition.
Question 2: What vocal technique did Billie Holiday use to add emotional depth, involving slight pitch wavering?
- Straight tone (no vibrato)
- Wide vibrato
- Subtle, expressive vibrato with behind-the-beat phrasing (Correct answer)
- Sprechgesang
Correct answer: Subtle, expressive vibrato with behind-the-beat phrasing
Billie Holiday used a subtle, irregular vibrato combined with her signature behind-the-beat phrasing to create deeply expressive, conversational vocal delivery.
Question 3: Which jazz singer became famous for 'Strange Fruit,' an anti-lynching protest song?
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Lena Horne
- Billie Holiday (Correct answer)
- Nina Simone
Correct answer: Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday first performed and recorded 'Strange Fruit' in 1939, turning it into one of the most powerful protest songs in American music history.
Question 4: What is 'vocalese' in jazz singing?
- Singing scales for warm-up
- Adding lyrics to existing jazz instrumental solos (Correct answer)
- Singing in French
- An improvised vocal chord substitution
Correct answer: Adding lyrics to existing jazz instrumental solos
Vocalese is the technique of writing and singing lyrics to transcribed jazz instrumental solos, popularized by groups like Lambert, Hendricks & Ross.
Question 5: Nat King Cole started his career primarily as what kind of musician before becoming a famous jazz vocalist?
- Drummer
- Trumpeter
- Jazz pianist (Correct answer)
- Saxophonist
Correct answer: Jazz pianist
Nat King Cole was first recognized as a brilliant jazz pianist before his smooth, intimate vocal style brought him crossover fame.
Question 6: What is 'comping' in the context of a jazz vocalist performance?
- The singer providing their own percussive accompaniment
- A pianist or guitarist playing supportive harmonic chords behind the vocalist (Correct answer)
- The singer composing original material on stage
- The compiling of setlists
Correct answer: A pianist or guitarist playing supportive harmonic chords behind the vocalist
Comping refers to the rhythmically and harmonically supportive chord playing by a pianist or guitarist that accompanies a jazz vocalist without overshadowing them.
Singers & Vocalist Jazz Singers 2
Which male jazz vocalist is known as 'Ol' Blue Eyes'?