FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about Some Great Jazz Artists
Quiz about Some Great Jazz Artists

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.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Music Trivia
  6. »
  7. Other Music
  8. »
  9. Jazz

Author
wmshipman
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
180,418
Updated
Jun 14 23
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
650
- -
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


NEXT>

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


NEXT>

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


NEXT>

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


NEXT>

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


NEXT>

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


NEXT>

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


NEXT>

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


NEXT>

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


NEXT>

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



(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
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.

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.
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"?

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.
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?

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!
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?

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".
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?

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.
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?

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!
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?

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.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
Related Quizzes
1. Great Ladies of Jazz Easier
2. Jazz Styles Average
3. Jazz Musicians Easier
4. Let There Bebop Average
5. Song by Song: "Strange Fruit" Average
6. What I Learned in Jazzercise Easier
7. Legendary Sax Players Average
8. All That Jazz Easier
9. Jazz Vocalists: Part II Average
10. Jazz Nicknames Average
11. Jazz Vocalists: Part 1 Average
12. All That Jazz Average

Referenced Topics
Music   People   Other Music   English   Vocabulary   Diseases   Albums   French Language   Names   New York   Cats   Jazz   Dance Music   Guitar   Blues   Funk   1990s Country Music   Keyboards   Trumpet   Miles Davis  

Other Destinations
  Explore Other Quizzes by wmshipman

  Go to Other Music Quizzes

  More Jazz Quizzes

  FunTrivia Homepage

4/16/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us