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Jazz History 2 Trivia Quiz

I love Jazz. For an artform with less than 100 years of recorded history, there sure is a lot of material for a quiz like this.

A multiple-choice quiz by jim_in_oz. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
jim_in_oz

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
97,141

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1312

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 82 (4/10), Flyingdoctor72 (6/10), Guest 46 (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Milt Jackson, John Lewis, Percy Heath and Kenny Clarke formed this influential group in 1952. Hint

The Milt Jackson Quartet

The Modern Jazz Quartet

The Moovin' Jazz Quartet

The Minuet Jazz Quartet

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Question 2 of 10

2. Who was regarded as the "James Dean of Jazz" in the 1950s? Hint

Chet Baker

Dave Brubeck

Gerry Mulligan

Stan Getz

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Question 3 of 10

3. Who was the lead alto saxophone player in the Duke Ellington Orchestra during the height of its popularity in the 1930s and 40s and co-wrote the song "Jeep's Blues" with Ellington?

Answer: (2 words J... H...)

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who was the pianist on Miles Davis' seminal 1959 album "Kind of Blue"? Hint

Bill Evans

Red Garland

Herbie Hancock

John Lewis

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who was the Creole musician from New Orleans who was the self-proclaimed "inventor" of jazz? Hint

Buddy Bolden

King Oliver

Jelly Roll Morton

Kid Ory

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Question 6 of 10

6. When Louis Armstrong moved from New Orleans to Chicago in 1922 he was going to play with this man's band. Hint

Jack Teagarden

Buddy Bolsen

King Oliver

Kid Ory

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who was the big man from Texas nicknamed "Big T"? Hint

Billy Tipton

Jack Teagarden

Art Tatum

McCoy Tyner

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Question 8 of 10

8. What did Thelonious Monk lose in 1951 that made his life very difficult for a number of years? Hint

His Mind

His Cabaret Card

His Job

His Recording Contract

9. Who was the Belgian-born gypsy who made his reputation as a musician in France, cemented it by performing with Duke Ellington in America, and was regarded as one of the first jazz masters on his instrument? Hint

Stephane Grappelli

Jaco Pastorius

Alphonse Mouzon

Django Reinhardt

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who spotted Coleman Hawkins in a theatre pit orchestra in 1922 and promptly hired him as a bandmember, thereby kickstarting an enormous career? Hint

King Oliver

Mamie Smith

Fletcher Henderson

Bessie Smith

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 17 2024 : Guest 82: 4/10
Oct 11 2024 : Flyingdoctor72: 6/10
Sep 22 2024 : Guest 46: 9/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Milt Jackson, John Lewis, Percy Heath and Kenny Clarke formed this influential group in 1952.

Answer: The Modern Jazz Quartet

Lewis on piano, Jackson on vibraphone, Heath on bass, and Clarke on drums were the original MJQ. Connie Kay replaced Clarke in 1955, and this newer form of the group remained together until 1974, when they disbanded. They reformed, however, only 7 years later, in 1981.

2. Who was regarded as the "James Dean of Jazz" in the 1950s?

Answer: Chet Baker

Baker's career lasted a remarkably long time. He battled drug addiction throughout his life, and finally succumbed to the other side by falling from the window of his hotel room in 1988.

3. Who was the lead alto saxophone player in the Duke Ellington Orchestra during the height of its popularity in the 1930s and 40s and co-wrote the song "Jeep's Blues" with Ellington?

Answer: Johnny Hodges

Duke Ellington delivered the euolgy at Hodges' funeral in 1970. He said, "Never the world's most highly animated showman or greatest stage personality, but a tone so beautiful it sometimes brought tears to the eyes - this was Johnny Hodges. This is Johnny Hodges."

4. Who was the pianist on Miles Davis' seminal 1959 album "Kind of Blue"?

Answer: Bill Evans

"Kind of Blue" is still one of the highest-selling jazz albums ever. It represents a turning point in the attitude of jazz musicians towards improvisation with the introduction of modal playing rather than chordal playing.

5. Who was the Creole musician from New Orleans who was the self-proclaimed "inventor" of jazz?

Answer: Jelly Roll Morton

Jelly Roll Morton was a pianist and composer, and was undoubtedly one of the most influential and original musicians in the beginnings of jazz music. His claim to being its inventor, however, is somewhat dubious.

6. When Louis Armstrong moved from New Orleans to Chicago in 1922 he was going to play with this man's band.

Answer: King Oliver

Joe Oliver was nicknamed "King" because he was the King of jazz trumpet. That was until his protege, Louis Armstrong, came on the scene. Louis had got his start playing with King in New Orleans. King moved to Chicago and started his band there. This gave Louis the opportunity to develop his unique ability for improvisation.

When Louis moved to Chicago to play with King's band, he was suddenly the better player and was eventually convinced of this by the band's pianist Lillian Hardin, whom Louis later married.

She convinced him to go solo.

7. Who was the big man from Texas nicknamed "Big T"?

Answer: Jack Teagarden

Jack Teagarden was the trombonist with the Louis Armstrong Allstars, Hot Fives and Hot Sevens.

8. What did Thelonious Monk lose in 1951 that made his life very difficult for a number of years?

Answer: His Cabaret Card

The Cabaret Card allowed Monk to play anywhere in New York City where alcohol was served. He lost it as a result of being charged with drug possession.

Answer: Django Reinhardt

Django was the co-leader of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. He and French violinist Stephane Grappelli led the group to international renown. This group was interrupted by World War 2, but afterwards the pair travelled to the United States together.

10. Who spotted Coleman Hawkins in a theatre pit orchestra in 1922 and promptly hired him as a bandmember, thereby kickstarting an enormous career?

Answer: Mamie Smith

Mamie Smith and her Jazz Hounds got Coleman his start in the business. From there he played briefly with Wilbur Sweatman, and then started with the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra in 1924, where he stayed for 10 years.

Source: Author jim_in_oz

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