Some memorable answers I received on college Jazz History exams:

Difference between a big band and a combo?
A big band performs with a male singer and a combo uses a female singer.

A stride pianist is a person who sits astride on the piano bench. Also, when the music is strident, it is probably a stride pianist.

The difference between a rural Blues singer and a Classic Blues singer is the Rural Blues singer is shorter.

Louise Armstrong was the first great Jazz musician. No, it was Lois Armstrong.

The instrument in Free Jazz most likely to be omitted is the drums because with everybody doing their own thing, there's no use trying to keep the beat.

Not only did Bessie Smith record for Columbia, she also made videos for them.

A 'hot Jazz' band is on fire. A 'Mickey Mouse' band plays at Disneyworld.

Jazz was affected by the economy in WWII - people didn't go out very often because there was a shortage of rubbers. (Actually, the demise of the Big Bands was hastened by a wartime shortage of rubber ... for tires ... for the buses.)

From Concert Reports:

"The pianist used crescendos and archipelagos in his solo."

"The bass player didn't do any walking because there wasn't enough room on the stage".

"The two soloists competed like an old fashioned carving contest". (He means cutting contest)

"The trumpeter put a muzzle on his horn to keep it quiet while the bassist played with his hands around its neck".

"The piano and the bass started the tune silently".