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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Entertainment

Ultimate Female Jazz Musicians Trivia Quiz

Test Your Knowledge of Women in Jazz

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art featuring musical notes and instruments for Female Jazz Musicians Trivia Quiz.

Discover the trailblazers of jazz in this Female Jazz Musicians Trivia Quiz, perfect for anyone passionate about women in jazz and music trivia. Whether you're a student, educator, or jazz aficionado, this quiz offers 15 multiple-choice questions to challenge your knowledge and celebrate iconic performers. After taking this quiz, you can freely tweak and customize questions in our editor to suit your learning goals. For more fun challenges, explore our Music Trivia Quiz or test broader knowledge with the History Trivia Quiz. Ready for more? Browse all our quizzes to continue your journey through trivia and learning.

Which jazz vocalist was nicknamed the "First Lady of Song"?
Diana Krall
Billie Holiday
Ella Fitzgerald
Sarah Vaughan
Ella Fitzgerald was dubbed the "First Lady of Song" for her impeccable vocal technique and trailblazing contributions to swing and scat singing. Her dynamic performances and extensive discography solidified her legacy in jazz history.
Who famously recorded the protest song "Strange Fruit" in 1939?
Ella Fitzgerald
Carmen McRae
Billie Holiday
Nina Simone
Billie Holiday's haunting performance of "Strange Fruit" highlighted her emotional depth and commitment to social commentary. The song became an enduring protest anthem against racial violence in America.
Which musician became the first jazz artist to win the Grammy for Best New Artist in 2011?
Diana Krall
Cécile McLorin Salvant
Esperanza Spalding
Terri Lyne Carrington
Esperanza Spalding made history by winning the Grammy for Best New Artist in 2011, the first jazz musician to receive that honor. Her innovative bass playing and vocal style garnered widespread acclaim.
What was the primary instrument of jazz composer and pianist Mary Lou Williams?
Bass
Trumpet
Saxophone
Piano
Mary Lou Williams was a pioneering jazz pianist and composer whose primary instrument was the piano. Her versatile playing shaped key developments in swing and bebop.
Which vocalist-pianist blended jazz with classical music in her performances?
Nina Simone
Mary Lou Williams
Shirley Horn
Ella Fitzgerald
Nina Simone was both a classically trained pianist and a jazz singer who infused her performances with elements of classical music. Her unique blend of genres distinguished her as a visionary artist.
Which female jazz musician served as trombonist and arranger for the Duke Ellington Orchestra?
Melba Liston
Mary Lou Williams
Toshiko Akiyoshi
Dorothy Ashby
Melba Liston served as a trombonist and arranger for the Duke Ellington Orchestra in the late 1940s, one of the few women in that role. Her arrangements and performances contributed significantly to Ellington's sound.
Who led a pioneering jazz big band from the 1970s, integrating Japanese musical elements?
Mary Lou Williams
Dorothy Ashby
Toshiko Akiyoshi
Melba Liston
Toshiko Akiyoshi led her own jazz big band from the 1970s, pioneering the integration of Japanese musical elements into big band jazz. Her compositions and arrangements earned international recognition.
Which vocalist was known as the "Queen of Cool" for her rhythmic sense and improvisation?
Ella Fitzgerald
Anita O'Day
Sarah Vaughan
Carmen McRae
Anita O'Day was known as the 'Queen of Cool' for her distinctive rhythmic phrasing and improvisational prowess. Her stylings in the 1950s helped redefine modern jazz singing.
Which female singer was nicknamed "The Divine One" for her expansive vocal range?
Sarah Vaughan
Billie Holiday
Ella Fitzgerald
Nina Simone
Sarah Vaughan earned the nickname 'The Divine One' due to her expansive vocal range and emotive delivery. Her recordings, such as 'Lullaby of Birdland,' showcased her technical mastery.
Who hosted the NPR program "Piano Jazz" and interviewed countless legends?
Shirley Horn
Hazel Scott
Marian McPartland
Mary Lou Williams
Marian McPartland hosted the NPR program 'Piano Jazz' for over two decades, interviewing and performing with countless jazz legends. Her show played a key role in documenting jazz history and promoting artists.
Which female jazz drummer won a Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album in 2020?
Cécile McLorin Salvant
Alice Coltrane
Melba Liston
Terri Lyne Carrington
Terri Lyne Carrington won the Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album in 2020 for her album 'New Standards Vol. 1.' As a drummer and bandleader, she has been influential in contemporary jazz.
Which song did Nina Simone write as a civil rights protest anthem in 1964?
God Bless the Child
Mississippi Goddam
Blue Skies
Strange Fruit
Nina Simone's 'Mississippi Goddam' was written in response to the 1963 Birmingham church bombing and became a powerful civil rights anthem. Its direct lyrics and urgent delivery underscored Simone's activism.
Which jazz harpist released influential albums in the 1950s?
Flora Purim
Geri Allen
Dorothy Ashby
Alice Coltrane
Dorothy Ashby was a pioneering jazz harpist who released influential albums in the 1950s, showcasing the harp in a jazz context. Her innovative techniques expanded the instrument's role in jazz.
Who was the singer and trumpeter nicknamed "Little Louis" during the swing era?
Peggy Lee
Nina Simone
Dorothy Dandridge
Valaida Snow
Valaida Snow was a multi-talented performer, known for both her singing and her trumpet playing. Nicknamed 'Little Louis' after Louis Armstrong, she toured internationally during the swing era.
Which Billie Holiday album featured lush string arrangements by Gordon Jenkins?
Blue Moon
Velvet Mood
Body and Soul
Lady in Satin
'Lady in Satin' was one of Billie Holiday's final recordings, featuring lush string arrangements by Gordon Jenkins. The album's melancholic tone reflected Holiday's moving vocal performances near the end of her career.
What is Mary Lou Williams's 1945 composition that blends jazz improvisation with classical structure?
Astrological Jazz
Signs and Sounds
Fantasia Suite
Zodiac Suite
Mary Lou Williams's 'Zodiac Suite' is a twelve-part composition blending jazz improvisation with classical forms, each movement representing a zodiac sign. It was groundbreaking for its fusion of genres in 1945.
Which singer released the 1961 album "Straight Ahead" featuring socially conscious themes?
Abbey Lincoln
Betty Carter
Dinah Washington
Carmen McRae
Abbey Lincoln's 1961 album 'Straight Ahead' featured original compositions with socially conscious themes and innovative vocal arrangements. Lincoln's work on this record exemplified her commitment to civil rights and artistic expression.
Who was the first black woman to host her own national network television show in 1950?
Ella Fitzgerald
Mary Lou Williams
Hazel Scott
Shirley Scott
In 1950, Hazel Scott became the first black woman to host her own national network television show, breaking significant racial barriers in media. Her program showcased jazz performances and classical piano repertoire.
Who was the first female jazz musician inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame?
Ella Fitzgerald
Sarah Vaughan
Nina Simone
Billie Holiday
Ella Fitzgerald was the first female jazz musician inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame in 1975, acknowledging her monumental contributions to jazz. Her induction recognized her status as an iconic vocalist.
Which singer popularized the English-language rendition of "The Girl from Ipanema"?
Astrud Gilberto
Marian McPartland
Peggy Lee
June Christy
Astrud Gilberto's English-language rendition of 'The Girl from Ipanema' helped popularize bossa nova in the United States in the 1960s. Her smooth, understated delivery became emblematic of the genre's crossover appeal.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify key female jazz musicians and their contributions.
  2. Analyse notable recordings and performances by women in jazz.
  3. Compare different jazz styles pioneered by female artists.
  4. Demonstrate understanding of historical contexts shaping their careers.
  5. Apply trivia insights to appreciate women's impact on jazz evolution.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Mary Lou Williams: A Trailblazing Pianist and Composer - With inventive harmonies and bold arrangements, Mary Lou Williams helped redefine jazz in the 1920s and '30s. She wrote hundreds of compositions, collaborated with icons like Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman, and mentored rising stars such as Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis. Her fearless creativity still inspires musicians today! Wikipedia article
  2. Betty Carter: The Queen of Jazz Improvisation - Renowned for her lightning-fast scatting and adventurous phrasing, Betty Carter turned every performance into a thrilling musical conversation. She founded the Jazz Ahead program to nurture young talent, ensuring her improvisational spirit lives on in new generations of jazz artists. Her legacy is a masterclass in fearless creativity! Wikipedia article
  3. Dinah Washington: The Versatile Vocalist - Nicknamed the "Queen of the Blues," Dinah Washington effortlessly blended jazz, blues, R&B, and gospel into a signature sound that captivated audiences. Her hit "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes" showcases her emotive delivery and impeccable timing. Studying her catalog reveals a true chameleon of style! Wikipedia article
  4. Melba Liston: Breaking Barriers as a Trombonist - As one of the first female trombonists in major big bands, Melba Liston shattered gender norms in the 1940s and '50s. Beyond her powerful slide work, she arranged for legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Randy Weston, leaving behind charts that pulse with rhythmic ingenuity. Her story is a lesson in perseverance and creativity! Wikipedia article
  5. Bessie Smith: The Empress of the Blues - With a voice rich in power and emotion, Bessie Smith earned her title through recordings like "Downhearted Blues" that still give listeners chills. Her commanding stage presence and unflinching storytelling paved the way for artists from Janis Joplin to Etta James. Exploring her work is a deep dive into raw, honest expression! Wikipedia article
  6. Artemis: A Modern All-Women Jazz Ensemble - Formed in 2016 by pianist Renee Rosnes, Artemis brings together powerhouse musicians for innovative performances and fresh compositions. Their album "Arboresque" bursts with dynamic interplay and bold arrangements that celebrate each member's distinct voice. They're proof that ensemble synergy can spark electrifying jazz! FT coverage
  7. Nubya Garcia: Shaping Contemporary Jazz - London-based saxophonist Nubya Garcia fuses jazz with reggae, Afrobeat, and soul, creating a vibrant, genre-blurring sound. Her debut album "Source" and follow-up "Africa/Brass" invite listeners on a rhythmic odyssey that honors tradition while pushing boundaries. Studying her work shows how jazz remains endlessly adaptable! FT coverage
  8. Jazz Legacies Fellowship: Honoring Jazz Elders - Launched by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Jazz Foundation of America, this fellowship supports musicians aged 62 and up with grants, career guidance, and performance slots. It shines a spotlight on elder statespersons whose wisdom and experience enrich the jazz community. A great example of how we honor tradition and invest in living history! AP News article
  9. Etta Jones: A Soulful Jazz Vocalist - Known for her warm tone and heartfelt delivery, Etta Jones made songs like "Don't Go to Strangers" jazz standards with her intimate storytelling. She teamed up with saxophonist Houston Person to create albums brimming with chemistry and swing. Her recordings are perfect case studies in phrasing and emotional nuance! Wikipedia article
  10. Analyzing Notable Recordings by Women in Jazz - Diving into Mary Lou Williams' "Zodiac Suite" or Dinah Washington's "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes" reveals how female artists carved unique paths in jazz history. Comparing their approaches to harmony, rhythm and vocal technique offers insights into the genre's rich diversity. This study point encourages deep listening and critical analysis! Learn more
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