Grand Pianists Trivia Quiz

Answer: Billy Joel

"The Piano Man" is told from the reference point of a piano player in a bar and his perceptions of his customers. Joel began his music career at 16 and this song was a hit when he was 24, written from his experiences at "The Executive Room". Since the start of his career, he has been a prolific writer and composer of both popular and classical music.

Answer: Elton John

One article quotes Elton John as saying he has 2,000 pairs and another says 20,000 pairs of glasses. Either way, that's a lot of glasses for one person. In 2010, some of his glasses were put on display during an exhibit on the history of eye wear at New York City Grand Central Terminal.

He has been writing musical scores for theater since 1971 with "The Lion King", "Aida", and "Billy Elliot" being the most popular.

Answer: Jerry Lee Lewis

The quartet also included Johnny Cash who had been at the studio. The recording was from December 4, 1956. This was released to CD several times, each time adding additional tracks.

In 1957 Lewis married Myra Gale Brown at age 13 and his first cousin, once removed. A British newspaper man discovered the information published it in 1958. They were divorced in 1970.

Answer: Marvin Hamlisch

Hamlisch received an Oscar for his adaptations of Scott Joplin's piano rags, and brought Joplin to a much wider public. Hamlisch also composed the score for "A Chorus Line" and won both a Tony and a Pulitzer Prize. EGOT refers to someone who has received the following awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

Answer: Liberace

Liberace was a consummate performer. He worked his act to connect to his audience, whether it was in a night club, private parties, or television. His first Las Vegas performance was in 1944 while still in his twenties. Generally, after his act the audience was invited on stage to see the piano and props and have a chance to chat with Liberace. Critics often panned his performances, but his audiences adored him.

Answer: Tori Amos

The piano is Amos' primary instrument. In performances she often has more than one keyboard on stage, with the bench between them. She has recorded performances with other keyboards such as harpsichord, harmonium, clavichord, and electronic.

Answer: Art Tatum

There are many quotes about his playing, but this one from Teddy Wilson perhaps says it best: "Maybe this will explain Art Tatum. If you put a piano in a room, just a bare piano. Then you get all the finest jazz pianists in the world and let them play in the presence of Art Tatum. Then let Art Tatum play ... everyone there will sound like an amateur."

Answer: Oscar Peterson

In addition to performing, Peterson also composed and taught piano and improvisation. He composed "Hymn to Freedom" which became an anthem during the civil rights movements lead by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There is a tremendous number of recordings, some with Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, and too many other artists to list here.

Answer: Victor Borge

Borge knew no English when he reached the US, but learned from watching movies. One of the well known parts of his act was to begin to play sheet music upside down, with many audience asides because the tune was not recognized. The light bulb would then go off, the music sheet turned over and the correct tune would be played.

Answer: Ray Charles

Ray Charles is praised for the uniqueness of his music, fusing styles to create his own sound. He had hits in R&B, jazz, country and pop charts when folk around him were saying it couldn't be done. He was being called "The Genius" by the late 1950s. His version of "Georgia on My Mind" was adopted as Georgia's state song in 1979.