“How does a jazz musician end up with a million dollars?”/“By starting out with two million dollars.

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Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.

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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.

Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.

Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.

Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.

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Entry from April 21, 2018

“How does a jazz musician end up with a million dollars?”/“By starting out with two million dollars.

A jazz musician riddle has been cited in print since at least 1996:

Q: How does a jazz musician end up with a million dollars?
A: Give him ten million and wait a couple of months.

“How does a jazz musician end up with a million dollars? By starting out with two million dollars” was posted on the newsgroup misc.writing on October 17, 2000.

“How to make a small fortune on Wall Street”/“Start with a large one” is an older form of the joke about money.

Google Books
The Musician’s Joke Book:
Knowing the Score
By N. J. Groce
London: Schirmer Trade Books
1996
Pg. ?:
How does a jazz musician end up with a million dollars? Give him ten million and wait a couple of months.

Google Groups: misc.writing
A Name For A Turk
Hugh Watkins
10/17/00
(...)
PS the story of my life:-
JAZZ MUSICIANS & MONEY
How does a jazz musician end up with a million dollars?
By starting out with two million dollars.

Google Groups: rec.music.makers.guitar.jazz
Jazz musicians & money
Mike
1/15/02
JAZZ MUSICIANS & MONEY
How does a jazz musician end up with a million dollars?
By starting out with two million dollars.

Twitter
Patience Hodgson
@Paehoddy
Replying to @doncandon
@doncandon How does a jazz musician end up with a million dollars?
By starting out with two million dollars.
9:34 AM - 24 Aug 2010

Twitter
Evan
@TheElk801
How does a jazz musician end up with a million dollars? By starting out with two million dollars.
7:20 PM - 8 Feb 2011

Twitter
Greg Tannen
@gregtannen
Replying to @rosannecash
@rosannecash Not to be outdone by Q: How does a musician end up with a million dollars? A: Start out with two million.
3:01 PM - 16 Feb 2011

Google Books
The Beer Drinker’s Guide to God:
The Whole and Holy Truth About Lager, Loving, and Living
By William B. Miller
New York, NY: Howard Books
2014
Pg. 211:
How can a jazz musician end up with a million dollars? Start with two million dollars.

Reddit—Jokes
How does a musician end up with a million dollars?
submitted April 22, 2018 by AnonymousConsultant1
He starts with two million.

Posted by Barry Popik
New York City • Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus • Saturday, April 21, 2018 • Permalink

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