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A Little Jazz Trivia Quiz

Learn a little about jazz

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

Author
helvet

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
1,911

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1917

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which jazz pianist is best known to fusion fans for stroking the organ with the group 'Return to Forever'? Hint

Chick Corea

Martin Scorcese

Herbie Hancock

Thelonious Monk

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Question 2 of 10

2. What jazz trumpet icon was heralded as the 'Prince of Darkness' to media hounds and music critics, none of whom could seem to break the ice in their interviews with this master? Hint

Charles Mingus

Miles Davis

Edward Vedder III

Jeffrey van Gundy

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Question 3 of 10

3. Name the alto saxophonist behind the landmark 1959 release, 'The Shape of Jazz to Come,' quite possibly the most forward-looking album of its decade. Hint

John Coltrane

Ornette Coleman

Cannonball Adderley

Wayne Shorter

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Question 4 of 10

4. This British guitarist, prior to forming 'Mahavishnu Orchestra,' grew up on the violin, traveled as a bluesman, and worked with Miles Davis extensively. Hint

Eric Clapton

John McLaughlin

Brendan Behan

Mike Stern

5. This incredible percussionist, if we were to apply sports terms, could be called the greatest 'scout' in the history of jazz, recruiting such talents as Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, and Lee Morgan during his tenure as one of the 'Jazz Messengers.' Hint

Max Roach

Art Blakey

Ingomar Johannson

Jack DeJohnette

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Question 6 of 10

6. 'A Love Supreme' is a prayer inspired by one man's dedication to his faith after overcoming addiction. Who was this saxophonist? Hint

Eric Dolphy

Tomgre Een'stestic Ularcancer

Stanley Turrentine

John Coltrane

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Question 7 of 10

7. The father of 'bop,' this saxophonist is the choice of ornithologists and jazz fans alike. Hint

Charlie Parker

Branford Marsalis

Vince Carter

Joshua Redman

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who is 'Satchmo'? Hint

Louis Armstrong

Satchel Paige

Duke Ellington

Sun Ra

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Question 9 of 10

9. Quite possibly the most talented man every to play the instrument that most observers would call a xylophone without hesitation, this member of the Modern Jazz Quartet became the centerpiece of their playful but complex compositions as a vibraphone maestro. Hint

Robert Townsend

Milt Jackson

Phillip Lesh

Reginald Wilson

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Question 10 of 10

10. This short-live bassist's complexity aroused the passions of many fusion fans in the 70's with 'Weather Report.' He evolved through solo performances in the 80's but was lost early. Hint

Stanley Clarke

Victor Wooten

Jamer A. Kwi

Jaco Pastorius

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which jazz pianist is best known to fusion fans for stroking the organ with the group 'Return to Forever'?

Answer: Chick Corea

Corea's fusion is only one facet of his vast reportoire, including classical and latin compositions, and a couple of albums with Mr. 'Don't Worry be Happy' Bobby McFerrin.

2. What jazz trumpet icon was heralded as the 'Prince of Darkness' to media hounds and music critics, none of whom could seem to break the ice in their interviews with this master?

Answer: Miles Davis

There is nothing dark about Davis' 'Kind of Blue,' one of the most popular albums in jazz history, supposedly unrehearsed before its recording. His 'dark' side came later in his immaculate career, as he moved in a direction that most critics could not understand, and Mr. Davis refused to talk to media idiots.

3. Name the alto saxophonist behind the landmark 1959 release, 'The Shape of Jazz to Come,' quite possibly the most forward-looking album of its decade.

Answer: Ornette Coleman

Ornette also recorded an album 29 years later which featured the late Jerry Garcia on three tracks, 'Virgin Beauty.'

4. This British guitarist, prior to forming 'Mahavishnu Orchestra,' grew up on the violin, traveled as a bluesman, and worked with Miles Davis extensively.

Answer: John McLaughlin

Davis and McLaughlin's respect for one another was so great that each wrote a song to the other in the years after their association.

Answer: Art Blakey

Art Blakey's surrounding cast, many of whom grew to be the most respected musicians of their time, all agree, after their stint with Mr. Blakey, that they will never forget who their leader is and the importance of Mr. Blakey's oft-repeated statement, 'No jazz band is any better than its drummer.'

6. 'A Love Supreme' is a prayer inspired by one man's dedication to his faith after overcoming addiction. Who was this saxophonist?

Answer: John Coltrane

The St. John Coltrane African Orthodox Church, in San Francisco's Western Addition District, has a mural of Mr. Coltrane above its altar, and uses Trane's explorations of our musical subconscious as an inspiration to their faith in the divine. Both religious and agnostic sects proclaim 'A Love Supreme' to be an emotional journey into the heart of a human being.

7. The father of 'bop,' this saxophonist is the choice of ornithologists and jazz fans alike.

Answer: Charlie Parker

If you look at the main inspirations of every modern saxophonist of note today, Charlie Parker, 'Bird', is undoubtedly on their list. If you look at the men who play other instruments, you will find his name as well...he was a big man to many.

8. Who is 'Satchmo'?

Answer: Louis Armstrong

Satchmo was in a few major movies (one named 'Satchmo'), in addition to his burgeoning career as a musician. His tension-free, humble, and intelligent presence as a musician - and his work's appeal to those who might otherwise have seen him as just another man of color - was an inspiration to all. Without him, we may never have noticed the Sinatras, Dean Martins, and Tony Bennetts of the world, all of whom have paid tribute to his courage and mimicked his presence on stage.

Answer: Milt Jackson

Arguing about the best man or woman ever to grace an instrument becomes much easier when you enter the world of the vibes. Milt Jackson is the indisputable king at this point in history.

10. This short-live bassist's complexity aroused the passions of many fusion fans in the 70's with 'Weather Report.' He evolved through solo performances in the 80's but was lost early.

Answer: Jaco Pastorius

Is it ever a surprise when an incredibly promising young musician is tragically removed from our world? Maybe they are smart enough to know that we don't want to see them grow old and lose our interest. Mr. Pastorius was one of the few who retains his timelessness.

Source: Author helvet

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