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Quiz about Jazz Vocalists Part II
Quiz about Jazz Vocalists Part II

Jazz Vocalists: Part II Trivia Quiz


I covered some great jazz vocalists on the last quiz, and this one covers many of the big names I missed . . .

A multiple-choice quiz by wmshipman. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
wmshipman
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
222,828
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
682
Awards
Top 10% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. How could I not talk about "The Empress"? Starting in the 1920s, this woman placed her footprint solidly onto every jazz and blues singer to follow in her path. From "Downhearted Blues" to "St. Louis Blues" to "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out," this jazz songstress recorded many of the genre's classics. Who is she? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. This jazz singer made appearances in a few films of the 1940s, and is as well known for her beauty as for her singing. Appearing in films from the 1940s such as "Cabin In The Sky" and "Stormy Weather". What singer is married to jazz arranger Lennie Hayton? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Ah, New Orleans' favorite son. This singer was as well known for his trumpet and cornet playing as he was for his singing. Nonetheless, he recorded some classic sides, including "Wonderful World" and "Stars Fell On Alabama" (the last with Ella Fitzgerald). Who is he? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Another famous singer and trumpet player, this cat specialized in swing jazz. Recording a number of tunes with a band that included his (then) wife, Keely Smith, this artist had hits including: "Oh Marie," "Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody," and "When You're Smiling." Who is he? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Despite her unlikely name, this female singer recorded some absolutely amazing jazz standards. She is well known for her interpretations of such classics as "I Won't Dance" and "Just One Of Those Things." What is the name of this singer/pianist who recorded, in my opinion, her best albums with bassist Ray Brown and drummer "Philly" Jo Jones? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. This Brazilian songstress first found fame singing on "The Girl From Ipanema" with her (then) husband when he was recording that landmark album. She went on to a number of other recordings that have highlighted her cool, ethereal style -- but none can match the track that brought her fame. Who is she? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. A jazz singer who wasn't afraid to dabble in soul and folk music, this songstress actually hit the Top 20 with her version of "I Loves You Porgy." My personal favorite of hers is "Sugar In My Bowl." Who is this North Carolina native? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Born Ruth Lee Jones, this singer sang jazz and soul music without bothering to determine which was which. Starting out with Lionel Hampton in the 1940s, she went on to record a string of hits on the R&B charts. However, she also continued to record with such jazz heavyweights as Clifford Brown, Cannonball Adderley and Wynton Kelly. Who is this songstress, who gained fame with her version of "What A Diff'rence A Day Makes"? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. It was only a matter of time before we came around to Old Blue Eyes. This Hoboken, NJ native may be the most famous male singer of all time to interpret popular jazz standards. Who is this "chairman of the board?" Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. This daring jazz vocalist, from the baby-boomer generation, was born in Mississippi and has let her style wander all over the map -- country, jazz, funk, you name it. From her debut with Point Of View to her later New Moon Daughter, this singer/pianist has run the gamut from Van Morrison to Hank Williams. Who is this jazz/blues/country/funk recording artist? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. How could I not talk about "The Empress"? Starting in the 1920s, this woman placed her footprint solidly onto every jazz and blues singer to follow in her path. From "Downhearted Blues" to "St. Louis Blues" to "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out," this jazz songstress recorded many of the genre's classics. Who is she?

Answer: Bessie Smith

Ah, Bessie. She is the queen of the blues, and the empress as well! While she started out as a disciple of the famous Ma Rainey, she ultimately paved the way for the powerful and passionate vocalists that were to follow in her footsteps.
2. This jazz singer made appearances in a few films of the 1940s, and is as well known for her beauty as for her singing. Appearing in films from the 1940s such as "Cabin In The Sky" and "Stormy Weather". What singer is married to jazz arranger Lennie Hayton?

Answer: Lena Horne

Lena Horne is, for my money, a very gifted singer. But she likely owes her rise to stardom to her stunning good looks and resultant appearance in various films. Check out a collection called Stormy Weather: The Legendary Lena for a taste of her best recordings. Truth be told, she was pretty darn good when she was on her game.
3. Ah, New Orleans' favorite son. This singer was as well known for his trumpet and cornet playing as he was for his singing. Nonetheless, he recorded some classic sides, including "Wonderful World" and "Stars Fell On Alabama" (the last with Ella Fitzgerald). Who is he?

Answer: Louis Armstrong

Ah, Satchmo. A godfather of popular jazz, no matter how you slice it. A brilliant trumpet player, which may be his greatest mark on jazz music, he also found success with his vocals. "Wonderful World" has to be one of the most popular songs of all time.
4. Another famous singer and trumpet player, this cat specialized in swing jazz. Recording a number of tunes with a band that included his (then) wife, Keely Smith, this artist had hits including: "Oh Marie," "Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody," and "When You're Smiling." Who is he?

Answer: Louis Prima

Louis Prima recorded a number of hits with a band that included his wife, Keely Smith, and a saxophonist named Sam Butera. My favorite Prima song is the holiday track "What Will Santa Claus Say When He Finds Everybody Swinging?" But, eventually, Keely went out on her own to record some great swing music without Prima. And Sam Butera recorded a number of lounge music classics with his band, the Witnesses, including "French Poodle" and "Dig That Crazy Chick."
5. Despite her unlikely name, this female singer recorded some absolutely amazing jazz standards. She is well known for her interpretations of such classics as "I Won't Dance" and "Just One Of Those Things." What is the name of this singer/pianist who recorded, in my opinion, her best albums with bassist Ray Brown and drummer "Philly" Jo Jones?

Answer: Blossom Dearie

Blossom Dearie is one of my all-time favorite singers. No one, and I mean no one, sounds like Blossom Dearie. Her delicate way of phrasing the vocals to a song, which I have heard about a thousand times before, makes it sound brand new to my ears. That is the ultimate compliment.
6. This Brazilian songstress first found fame singing on "The Girl From Ipanema" with her (then) husband when he was recording that landmark album. She went on to a number of other recordings that have highlighted her cool, ethereal style -- but none can match the track that brought her fame. Who is she?

Answer: Astrud Gilberto

Astrud got her big break singing on an album by her (then) husband Joao Gilberto and saxophonist Stan Getz in 1963. She later went on to record a number of albums for Verve. One of my favorite Astrud tracks is her version of "Fly Me To The Moon."
7. A jazz singer who wasn't afraid to dabble in soul and folk music, this songstress actually hit the Top 20 with her version of "I Loves You Porgy." My personal favorite of hers is "Sugar In My Bowl." Who is this North Carolina native?

Answer: Nina Simone

No slight against the other ladies listed amongst the multiple choice, but Nina was a force of nature. She didn't have Sarah Vaughan's physical gifts, but she sang with a skepticism and darkness that any other jazz singer would envy (with the possible exception of Billie Holiday -- who could make any other singer tremble in their boots).

While I wasn't crazy about her many renditions of Bob Dylan tunes, she had a few that were classics -- such as her version of "Tom Thumb's Blues."
8. Born Ruth Lee Jones, this singer sang jazz and soul music without bothering to determine which was which. Starting out with Lionel Hampton in the 1940s, she went on to record a string of hits on the R&B charts. However, she also continued to record with such jazz heavyweights as Clifford Brown, Cannonball Adderley and Wynton Kelly. Who is this songstress, who gained fame with her version of "What A Diff'rence A Day Makes"?

Answer: Dinah Washington

While I'm not a huge Dinah Washington fan, there is no denying that she had more talent in her little finger than most jazz wannabe singers have in their entire bodies. Check out her renditions of "Caravan," "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby" and "I Get A Kick Out Of You" if you don't believe me. Whatever her stylistic decisions, she was a classic.
9. It was only a matter of time before we came around to Old Blue Eyes. This Hoboken, NJ native may be the most famous male singer of all time to interpret popular jazz standards. Who is this "chairman of the board?"

Answer: Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra. If you got this one wrong, you must be under 20 years old and have never seen a mobster movie. Starting out with Tommy Dorsey, he played with such other greats as Benny Goodman and Harry James before breaking out on his own. He deserves some respect also for paying homage to the great jazz singers of his age, including Ella Fitzgerald, on various popular variety TV shows of his era.
10. This daring jazz vocalist, from the baby-boomer generation, was born in Mississippi and has let her style wander all over the map -- country, jazz, funk, you name it. From her debut with Point Of View to her later New Moon Daughter, this singer/pianist has run the gamut from Van Morrison to Hank Williams. Who is this jazz/blues/country/funk recording artist?

Answer: Cassandra Wilson

I know Cassandra Wilson primarily as a jazz singer. But her fearlessness in addressing other styles has won my ever-lasting respect. It doesn't hurt that she can pull MOST of it off . . .
Source: Author wmshipman

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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