Jazz History Quiz

Try out this Jazz History quiz to test your knowledge. Jazz History Trivia trivia explores the artists, eras, and landmark recordings that helped define one of the 20th century’s most influential musical forms.

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15 questions

~3 min to finish

Easy to hard difficulty

390 pts max score

Question 1 · Hard · 40 pts
Which early New Orleans cornet legend is remembered in part because he never left behind a commercial recording?
Question 2 · Hard · 40 pts
When Louis Armstrong went to New York in 1924, whose orchestra did he join?
Question 3 · Hard · 40 pts
John Coltrane's 'A Love Supreme' came out on which label in 1965?
Question 4 · Hard · 40 pts
Founded in Munich in 1969, which label became a major home for jazz recordings?
Question 5 · Hard · 40 pts
Norman Granz launched which label in 1956?
Question 6 · Hard · 40 pts
In Miles Davis's first great quintet, which tenor saxophonist held the front-line chair?
Question 7 · Hard · 40 pts
Which player belonged to Miles Davis's second great quintet: Wayne Shorter or John Coltrane?
Question 8 · Hard · 40 pts
Name the pianist often cited as a pioneering figure in avant-garde jazz.?
Question 9 · Easy · 10 pts
Which jazz legend was born in New Orleans in 1901?
Question 10 · Easy · 10 pts
Who led a long-running big band that became one of jazz's best-known ensembles?
Question 11 · Easy · 10 pts
Charlie Parker is most associated with which instrument?
Question 12 · Easy · 10 pts
Which influential jazz singer is the answer if the clue is Billie Holiday?
Question 13 · Easy · 10 pts
Which major bandleader came from Kansas City?
Question 14 · Easy · 10 pts
Who led the Jazz Messengers for many years?
Question 15 · Easy · 10 pts
Which jazz figure was both a pianist and a composer?

Which early New Orleans cornet legend is remembered in part because he never left behind a commercial recording?

When Louis Armstrong went to New York in 1924, whose orchestra did he join?

John Coltrane's 'A Love Supreme' came out on which label in 1965?

Founded in Munich in 1969, which label became a major home for jazz recordings?

Norman Granz launched which label in 1956?

In Miles Davis's first great quintet, which tenor saxophonist held the front-line chair?

Which player belonged to Miles Davis's second great quintet: Wayne Shorter or John Coltrane?

Name the pianist often cited as a pioneering figure in avant-garde jazz.?

Which jazz legend was born in New Orleans in 1901?

Who led a long-running big band that became one of jazz's best-known ensembles?

Charlie Parker is most associated with which instrument?

Which influential jazz singer is the answer if the clue is Billie Holiday?

Which major bandleader came from Kansas City?

Who led the Jazz Messengers for many years?

Which jazz figure was both a pianist and a composer?