Question 1: On International Jazz Day, we’re honoring musician …
- John Coltrane
- John Jenkins
- Bennie Krueger
Answer: John Coltrane
Fact: UNESCO established International Jazz Day in 2011 to honor jazz as a powerful medium for peace, dialogue, and cultural exchange. Among the most influential figures in jazz, John Coltrane played a pivotal role in defining the sound of modern jazz. Renowned primarily as a saxophonist, his groundbreaking compositions and improvisational brilliance transformed the genre. Coltrane and his band toured internationally, extending jazz’s reach far beyond the United States. Iconic albums like A Love Supreme and Giant Steps continue to inspire both musicians and fans around the world.
Question 2: Which city is considered the birthplace of jazz?
- New York
- New Orleans
- Chicago
Answer: New Orleans
Fact: In the early 20th century, New Orleans’ rich mix of African, Caribbean, and European musical traditions gave rise to this new and improvisational genre. Jazz emerged from local brass bands, blues, and ragtime, evolving in clubs and street performances.
Question 3: Which jazz singer was known as the ‘First Lady of Song’?
- Billie Holiday
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Sarah Vaughan
Answer: Ella Fitzgerald
Fact: Ella Fitzgerald, celebrated as the ‘Queen of Jazz’ and ‘Lady Ella,’ was renowned for her exceptional vocal talent, smooth tone, and extraordinary improvisational skills. Over a career spanning more than six decades, she recorded iconic jazz standards such as ‘Summertime,’ ‘Cheek to Cheek,’ and ‘Mack the Knife.’ Her influential collaborations with jazz greats like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington played a key role in shaping the genre.