Read about composer William Grant Still in this resource. This brief biography highlights the career of this African American composer.

Duke Ellington's prominence as one of the greatest American composers and key figure in the development of the genre of jazz is highlighted in this encyclopedia entry.

A short biography of William Grant Still (1895-1978 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.

This is a brief encyclopedia biography of the ragtime composer, Scott Joplin, whose music was influential in the growth of jazz.

A short biography of Scott Joplin (1868-1917 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.

Visit this website for short biographies of some of the African American singers and composers who have contributed to the world of Classical music.

Jazz pianist and singer Hazel Scott was not only the first African-American woman to host her own television show, but she also bravely stood up to the House Un-American Activities Committee and the Hollywood studio machine.

In this encyclopedia entry, you learn about Charles Mingus, jazz bassist and composer.

Two important events in U.S. history are described here. The first looks at Rosa Parks with quotes from Parks herself. The second looks at the New York City Ballet and the collaboration between Russian composer Igor Stravinsky and...

Learn of the historical contributions of jazz musician, band leader, and Pennsylvania native, Billy Eckstine in this succinct biography.

An informative biography of jazz singer Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990 CE) is presented highlighting her long musical career.

This site contains extensive information on William Grant Still. Includes details on his works and a timeline of his life. Primary source material too!

This resource describes how William Grant Still (1895-1978 CE) started out playing the violin and then began teaching himself to play other string instruments as well as the oboe, clarinet, and saxophone. His most famous work is...

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features W.C. Handy, an African American composer who changed the course of popular music by integrating the blues idiom into then-fashionable ragtime music. Among his best-known works is the...

Learn about the life of Archie Shepp, African American tenor saxophonist, composer, dramatist, teacher, and pioneer of the free jazz movement.

Biography of Duke Ellington, one of the originators of big band jazz, and a noted composer.

It is hard to categorize Gordon Park, Sr., because he excelled in so many areas. He was well known for his writing, his photojournalism and in film. He also composed music. Listen here to an interview with Gordon Parks, Sr., and to...

This resource provides information about Duke Ellington.

This well-written biography of Scott Joplin not only provides his progress as a musician but also the personal events in his life which influenced his music. Includes links to a complete list of Joplin's works, a MIDI archive, and site...

This digital exhibit provides a basic overview of Fats Waller and his music. Divided into sections that cover Life and Times, Ed Kirkeby Collection, the music, recordings, European and US tours, notes, and more.

This encyclopedia article gives a brief biography of Andre Watts, the first internationally known black classical pianist.

This encyclopedia entry details the life of Ella Fitzgerald, the incredible jazz singer.

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Herbie Nichols, an African-American jazz pianist and composer whose advanced bop-era concepts of rhythm, harmony, and form predicted aspects of free jazz.

Learn about the life and career of McCoy Tyner, an African-American jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer noted for his technical virtuosity and dazzling improvisations.