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Some Great Jazz Artists Trivia Quiz

A quiz covering an array of jazz legends: from vocals to piano. Stroll through my jazz favorites with me.

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

Author
wmshipman

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
180,418

Updated
Jun 14 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
654

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. This vocalist, with the unlikely (but real) name, has a unique voice- almost fragile. Who is this wonderful pianist and singer, who sings in both French and English? Hint: Her self-titled album from 1956 is a treat. Hint

Ella Fitzgerald

Siouxsie Sioux

Billie Holiday

Blossom Dearie

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Question 2 of 10

2. Ah, a pianist's pianist. This cat played with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and Miles Davis before launching a solo career -- eventually abandoning keyboards altogether in favor of acoustic pianos. Who is this piano great, who recorded such great albums as "Facing You" and "The Survivor's Suite"? Hint

Herbie Hancock

Keith Jarrett

Chick Corea

Howard Levy

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Question 3 of 10

3. This guy essentially put jazz banjo on the map, playing with folks like Victor Wooten. Who else could it be, but . . . ? Hint

Tony Trischka

Eugene Levy

Bela Fleck

Sam Rivers

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Question 4 of 10

4. Blues, soul, jazz? This alto saxophonist had it all. Who is this bandleader who has recorded such great albums as "Here 'Tis" and "Alligator Bogaloo"? Hint

Lou Donaldson

Jackie McLean

Hank Mobley

Tina Brooks

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Question 5 of 10

5. Ruby, my dear, who was that wonderfully innovative pianist who stopped by to view the crepuscule with Nellie -- the one who left 'round midnight? Hint

Thelonious Monk

Nick Fenton

Billy Higgins

Richie Crabtree

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Question 6 of 10

6. This New Yorker is well-known as a percussionist and band leader, who delighted audiences for decades with his wonderful brand of latin jazz. Who is this wonderful bandleader and timbales virtuoso? Hint

Gilberto Lopez

Tito Puente

Charlie Byrd

Poncho Sanchez

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Question 7 of 10

7. This trumpet-player recorded the brilliant album "Candy" when he was still in his teens. Who is this trumpeter who scored a hit album with "The Sidewinder" in 1963 when he was still in his 20s? Hint

Freddie Hubbard

Miles Davis

Lee Morgan

Clifford Brown

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Question 8 of 10

8. Though not the most famous, I have long been a fan of this wonderful organist. Whether playing "Misty" or getting kind of funky on tracks like "Sweatin'", what is the name of the organ player who kept it swinging until his death in 1991? Hint

Jimmy Smith

Groove Holmes

Paul Lingle

Jimmy McGriff

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Question 9 of 10

9. This tenor saxophonist was key to moving the bop sound forward. While he wrote many great songs, such as "Airegin", he may be best known for recording live dates at the Village Vanguard. Who is he? Hint

Sonny Rollins

Cannonball Adderley

John Coltrane

Roland Hanna

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Question 10 of 10

10. Okay, another trumpet player. This guy was a solid player in the hard bop tradition, who recorded a truly unique album called "A New Perspective", incorporating a choir that sang notes rather than words into the jazz context. Who is he? Hint

Butch Warren

Donald Byrd

Pete Fountain

Al Grey

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Blossom Dearie

Blossom Dearie doesn't sound like a real name, but it is! Her voice sounds like a flower too - beautiful, delicate, and tougher than you think. My favorite track from her is "'Deed I Do" off her self-titled album, which was recorded for Verve in September 1956.

Answer: Keith Jarrett

Jarrett could really tear it up before beginning his battle with chronic fatigue syndrome. Nonetheless he battles the disease the same way he sometimes seemed to be duking it out with his keys, and recorded a touching solo album titled "The Melody At Night, With You" in the late 1990s.

It's not exactly an upbeat album, but it sure is pretty. Perfect music for pondering the night with a glass of red wine.

3. This guy essentially put jazz banjo on the map, playing with folks like Victor Wooten. Who else could it be, but . . . ?

Answer: Bela Fleck

If you haven't checked out his first recording with The Flecktones, check it out. Titled, fittingly, "Bela Fleck & The Flecktones", this album demonstrates just how much more there is to the banjo than we saw on Hee-Haw.

4. Blues, soul, jazz? This alto saxophonist had it all. Who is this bandleader who has recorded such great albums as "Here 'Tis" and "Alligator Bogaloo"?

Answer: Lou Donaldson

Lou Donaldson's sound changed quite a bit over time. Evolving from bebop to, essentially, funk. Still, he recorded some very strong albums. I recommend "Blues Walk" as a good starting point for anyone interested in seeing what this remarkable artist has to offer.

5. Ruby, my dear, who was that wonderfully innovative pianist who stopped by to view the crepuscule with Nellie -- the one who left 'round midnight?

Answer: Thelonious Monk

Okay, this one was easy. Thelonious Monk wrote such great songs as "Ruby, My Dear", "Crepuscule With Nellie" and "'Round Midnight". Crepuscule, by the way, means twilight.

Answer: Tito Puente

I don't see how anyone couldn't dance with Tito Puente playing. Just amazing. His music had all the jazz you would expect of someone born in the New York of 1923, but his sound was also tied tightly to the latin rhythms of his Puerto Rican ancestors. What a combo! Check out albums like "El Rey" and "Dance Mania" - but be sure to have your dancing shoes on!

Answer: Lee Morgan

Morgan was a prodigy in my opinion. Unfortunately, like many prodigies, he was not prepared for his fame and success. Falling into drug problems, Morgan was ultimately murdered by a girlfriend at the tender age of 33. But not before recording some brilliant albums, including "Candy", "The Sidewinder" and "Cornbread".

Answer: Groove Holmes

Richard "Groove" Holmes could play man. Not too much fancy stuff, just straight grooves (thus the nickname) and great songs. Check out his "After Hours" album on Pacific Jazz. The tracks with Joe Pass on guitar are particularly nice, though Gene Edwards is no slouch on the six-string either.

Answer: Sonny Rollins

Rollins' "A Night At The Village Vanguard" recordings, from 1957, are famous. And they should be, they are magnificent. He is clearly one of the top five tenor players of all time. I saw recently that he was still playing live dates -- including one with McCoy Tyner in New York as recently as May 2004. Man, I wish I could have seen that show!

Answer: Donald Byrd

"A New Perspective" is a strong album, though it is not for everybody. Sometimes the choral arrangments work, and sometimes it sounds like people are just moaning in the background. Worth a listen though.

Source: Author wmshipman

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ralzzz before going online.
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