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WorksheetsDuke Ellington Quiz
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
What was Duke Ellington’s birth name?
Edward Kennedy Ellington
Duke Kennedy Ellington
Edward Ellington Duke
Kennedy Edward Duke
Why was Duke given the nickname “Duke”?
He was royalty
He played piano elegantly
A classmate admired his proud and elegant manner
He named himself
What instrument did Duke Ellington play?
Trumpet
Drums
Piano
Violin
What genre of music did Duke Ellington primarily compose?
Classical
Jazz
Rock
Country
What inspired Duke to start playing piano again as a teenager?
His parents
A famous concert
A ragtime pianist named Harvey Brooks
His school music teacher
Duke Ellington loved piano lessons as a child.
True
False
Duke composed over 2,000 pieces of music.
True
False
Duke started performing at his college dances.
True
False
Duke Ellington’s orchestra played at the Cotton Club for eleven years.
True
False
Duke received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Kennedy.
True
False
The name of Duke Ellington’s first band was:
The Washingtonians
The Cotton Club Orchestra
The Blue Devils
The Jazz Messengers
Duke said he learned to play the piano because:
he wanted to impress his friends.
he was inspired by his mother.
he wanted to join a band.
he was bored and looking for a hobby.
What was the name of the song Duke composed for his high school dances?
Soda Fountain Rag
Harlem Airshaft
Mood Indigo
Take the 'A' Train
What made Harvey Brooks’ piano playing different from classical piano?
It incorporated jazz elements.
It followed strict classical techniques.
It was entirely improvised.
It used only electronic sounds.
What was special about Duke’s Carnegie Hall concerts?
They featured the premiere of new extended works.
They were the first jazz concerts ever held at Carnegie Hall.
They were broadcast live on national television.
They included only solo piano performances.
Duke composed which kind of music besides jazz?
Classical music
Rock music
Country music
Hip-hop music
How did Duke impress the ladies in his audience?
By performing daring stunts
By telling funny jokes
By singing romantic songs
By giving gifts
The significance of the Cotton Club in Duke’s career was:
It provided him with a platform to gain national recognition.
It was where he learned to play the piano.
It was the first club he ever visited.
It was the place where he retired from music.
Duke expressed himself through music by:
composing and performing jazz pieces
writing poetry
painting landscapes
acting in movies
Duke Ellington was considered a brilliant composer because:
he created innovative and influential jazz compositions
he was a famous actor in Hollywood
he invented the electric guitar
he was known for his paintings
