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Jazz is a musical genre that has been an important part of American culture for over a century. From its roots in the African American community to its global influence and popularity, jazz has been a major force in the world of music and beyond. Trivia questions about jazz can provide a fun and engaging way to test your knowledge and deepen your appreciation for this dynamic and diverse art form.
Whether you're a seasoned jazz aficionado or just starting to explore this exciting genre, jazz trivia questions offer a glimpse into the rich history and culture of jazz. From the classic performers and styles to the innovations and trends that have shaped the genre, these questions can challenge you on your knowledge of jazz history, theory, and performance.
1. In one of his most famous songs, jazz legend Louis Armstrong sings about trees of green, red roses, skies of blue, and other colorful images that make him think to himself, “what a wonderful” WHAT?
Answer: World
2. What Boston college, known for its study of jazz and other contemporary American music, has produced more Grammy-winners than any other school?
Answer: Berklee College of Music
3. Bill Clinton is quite the jazz musician. His talent for which instrument got him the nickname “The MTV President,” and is probably one of the less controversial facts about him (unless you have something against smooth riffs)?
Answer: Saxophone
4. If you ran across an article about 3 jazz legends from the same family whose first names were Ellis, Wynton, and Branford, what would their last name most likely be?
Answer: Marsalis
5. Filmed in Cincinnati and with Don Cheadle as both director and star, the 2015 film "Miles Ahead" is a fictionalization of the life of what legendary jazz musician?
Answer: Miles Davis
6. Singer and jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald made her debut performance at one of the very first infamous "Amateur Nights" at what Harlem theater in 1934?
Answer: The Apollo
7. Oxford's 2023 Word of the Year was "rizz," which means style, charm or attractiveness. The American Dialect Society's word of the 20th Century was also a 4-letter word that ended in two Z's. What genre-defining word was that?
Answer: Jazz
8. Gaining a love for music in the Little Burgundy community of Montréal, Oscar Peterson became a jazz legend known primarily for tickling what instrument?
Answer: Piano
9. What is the name for the genre of American roots music that developed in the 1940s in the US Appalachian region and derived its name from the band of Bill Monroe? Traditionally, this genre is only played on acoustic string instruments and has roots in traditional African-American blues and jazz.
Answer: Bluegrass
10. Portland native Esperanza Spalding is a jazz virtuoso of the upright and electric versions of what stringed instrument also played by Flea and Stanley Clarke?
Answer: Bass
11. What jazz standard was written by composer Billy Strayhorn after a trip to visit Duke Ellington on New York City's most recently constructed subway line?
Answer: Take the "A" Train
12. A historic house museum in the Queens neighborhood of Corona commemorates the life of what legendary jazz musician and trumpeter, who lived there for 28 years until his death in 1971?
Answer: Louis Armstrong
13. "Black Coffee" is the title track of the 1956 debut album by what jazz and pop singer famous for songs like "Fever" and "Hallelujah, I Love Him So?"
Answer: Peggy Lee
14. A festival named for legendary Delaware musician Clifford Brown brings what genre of music to Wilmington's Rodney Square every June?
Answer: Jazz
15. If you’re a fan of Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, and Miles Davis, which museum in Kansas City will be music to your ears?
Answer: Amerian Jazz Museum
16. What jazzy singer behind the classic "Fever" lent her voice to human mother Darling in Lady and the Tramp, as well as the cats Si and Am?
Answer: Peggy Lee
17. What musical form, a mixture of samba and jazz and exemplified by the song "The Girl from Ipanema," has a Portuguese name that means "new trend" in English?
Answer: Bossa Nova
18. It was originally written and recorded by Jesse Harris, but after it was released as the first single from her debut album “Come Away With Me” (2002), the song “Don’t Know Why” became associated with which jazzy singer-songwriter and pianist?
Answer: Norah Jones
19. Jazzy analogy time: John Coltrane and Charlie Parker are to saxophone, as Keith Jarrett and Thelonious Monk are to what instrument?
Answer: Piano
20. Since it was founded in 1965, which Georgetown jazz nightclub has given a stage to the greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie, and Mary Wilson?
Answer: Blues Alley
21. What jazzy, guitar- and horn-filled genre of Ghanaian music (not to be confused with a brand of American beer) got its name from the perception that it was music reserved for the wealthy and well-dressed?
Answer: Highlife
22. Now located at 315 West 44th Street, what legendary "avian" NYC jazz club opened in its first incarnation in December 1949 on Broadway near 52nd Street?
Answer: Birdland
23. Which famous D.C. jazz club, whose interior partially resembles a cave, is now closed permanently but has been host to famous musicians such as John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong?
Answer: Bohemian Caverns
24. "Bird" and "Yardbird" were nicknames for what legendary American jazz saxophonist who reflected the nickname in the title of a 1946 work, "Ornithology?"
Answer: Charlie Parker
25. What historic and "subterranean" jazz club at 11th Street and U Street NW, which hosted artists like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Nina Simone, closed down in 2016?
Answer: Bohemian Caverns
26. Released in 1959, ‘Kind of Blue’ is the biggest selling album of which trumpet-playing jazz legend?
Answer: Miles Davis
27. Kansas City native and legendary jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker earned what avian nickname while playing at KC's infamous Reno Club?
Answer: Yardbird
28. What world-renowned jazz saxophonist has a degree in accounting from the University of Washington?
Answer: Kenny G
29. What singer, civil rights activist, and Stormy Weather actress learned music from jazz great Billy Strayhorn after moving to Pittsburgh when she was 18?
Answer: Lena Horne
30. Considering J is worth 8, A is worth 1 and Z is worth 10, how many points is the word “Jazz” worth with a standard Scrabble set of tiles?
Answer: 19
31. What geographical and compound word is applied to a style of traditional jazz music that originated in New Orleans in the early 20th century, and was often played by white musicians?
Answer: Dixieland
32. What Kansas City-born jazz saxophonist was influential in creating the style of jazz known as bebop?
Answer: Charlie Parker
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