Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Trivia Quiz

Answer: Viola Davis

Viola Davis is an American actress who plays the part of Ma Rainey in the film, although most of the singing was done by the soul singer Maxayn Lewis. Davis was nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars for the role.

Answer: Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman plays Levee Green who is the horn player for the band. Levee clashes with the band as he wants to play his own more modern music rather than what he sees as Ma Rainey's old fashioned music. Chadwick Boseman died of cancer in August 2020 and 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' is his final film. There is a tribute to Boseman in the end credits of the movie.

Answer: He's been to buy some new shoes.

When the band arrive at the recording studio Irvin asks where the horn player is and the band say they don't know. We then see Levee looking through a shop window at some shoes. Levee then arrives at the studio and puts on his new shoes. The band joke that Levee is only able to afford the shoes as he won money off Cutler in a craps game the previous evening.

Answer: Bass

There are four band members, Cutler who plays trombone, Toledo who plays piano, Levee who plays horn and Slow Drag who plays the bass. Slow Drag is played by the American actor Michael Potts.

Answer: "A one, a two, a you know what to do."

Cutler is the leader of the band and as such is the one who counts in the others at the start of a song which he does with the line "a one, a two, a you know what to do". Cutler says this at multiple times during the film whenever he needs to count in a song. Cutler is played by the actor Colman Domingo.

Answer: Hot Rhythm Recordings

The name of the recording studio is seen on a sign hanging outside the building at a number of times in the film but most notably just before Sylvester crashes Ma Rainey's car outside the studio as she is arriving for the recording. The recording studio is run by Mel Sturdyvant whose name is also on the sign.

Answer: True

Ma Rainey's nephew Sylvester stammers which is a potential issue for the recording as she wants him to perform a spoken introduction on the track 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'. The band don't think this is a good idea but Ma is insistent that he does the introduction. After many takes they manage to record the song only for it to transpire that the recording didn't work properly.

Answer: Coca-Cola

Just as the first song is about to be recorded Ma Rainey asks where her Coca-Cola is and her manager Irvin says he forgot to get it. Ma then refuses to record until they have got her a Coke and when Irvin hesitates she sends Slow Drag and Sylvester out to buy some instead.

Answer: Dussie Mae

It is implied in the film that Dussie Mae is Ma Rainey's girlfriend. Levee is also interested in Dussie Mae and during the film they have sex in the rehearsal room. Dussie Mae is played by Taylour Paige.

Answer: Toledo

After Mr Sturdyvant says he doesn't want Levee to record the songs he wrote Levee is upset. In the band room afterwards Toledo steps on Levee's shoe and Levee turns on Toledo and argues with him before pulling out a knife and stabbing Toledo in the back.