When it comes to Central Arkansas’s musical bragging rights, where they come from depends on who you ask. Ask a metalhead and they’ll regale you with playlists chock-full of tracks from Living Sacrifice, Rwake and Pallbearer. Ask a classical musician, and they’ll point to the legacies of Florence Price and William Grant Still. The country musician beside them will cue up “Walk the Line” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” Anyone, though, privy to Pharoah Sanders’ February performance at Pulaski Tech or hip to Louis Jordan’s pioneering work in swing, jump blues and “soundies” — a sort of prototype for the music video — will point to the jazz music born on Arkansas soil. Here’s a brush-up (or a primer) on a handful of the state’s loudest horns and best beboppers.
UPDATE: Stumped? Here’s the answer key.
ACROSS
5. “Treemonisha” composer, Scott _____.
7. Two words, bebop master of “Schoolhouse Rock.”
8. Namesake state for the former gangster hangout on Bathhouse Row, now home to Thursday night jazz.
9. And his Hot Licks (two words).
10. Bandleader, trumpeter and music store owner David _____.
14. Seven-stringed staple at Capital Hotel Bar, first name.
15. Louis Jordan & His Tympany ____.
17. Kavanaugh Boulevard’s jazz mainstay, currently shuttered.
19. Formed from the pit of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre orchestra, The ____ Band are regulars at The Lobby Bar.
20. Saxophonist ___ ______ JR. (two words); inspired an eponymous law.
DOWN
1. Late teacher and trumpeter; subject of the film “Keep On Keepin’ On” (two words).
2. Rodney Block and the Real Music ______.
3. The secret weapon jazz siren of the Rodney Block Collective.
4. The ___ ___ Horns; shares its name with a bridge.
6. This historic hotel is home to sounds from the Stardust Big Band.
11. Two words; composer Chris Parker’s suite inspired by Melba Patillo memoir.
12. Ballroom inside Taborian Hall, remnant of Little Rock’s historic West Ninth Street.
13. Two words; Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s place of birth.
16. Swing and Big Band revivalists, The Bob ____ Sounds.
18. Avant-garde tenor saxophonist, Pharoah _______.