Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Willie Dixon
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Willie Dixon, an American blues musician who, as record producer, bassist, and prolific songwriter, exerted a major influence on the post-World War II Chicago style.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Willie King
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Willie King, an American musician born March 8, 1943, Prairie Point, Miss.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Will Smith
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Will Smith, an American actor and musician whose charisma, clean-cut good looks, and quick wit helped him transition from rap music to a successful career in acting.
Other
Women of Note: Celebrating 250 Years of Music by Women
Biographies of more than forty women composers whose works, if not their fame, rival men composers of the same time period. Biographies are generally accompanied by a list of some works by the composer, with brief descriptions. Of...
PBS
Pbs: This Far by Faith: Thomas Dorsey
A biography of Thomas Dorsey, the man known as "the father of gospel music," from the producers of "This Far by Faith," a series on African-American spiritual journeys. (The series premiered on PBS stations in June 2003.) The site...
Other
Cybermuse: Michael Snow
Detailed biography of well-known Canadian filmmaker, musician, artist, composer, writer, and sculptor Michael Snow. He has an international reputation as well as being renowned in the Toronto art scene.
Other
Rabindranath Tagore
A comprehensive biography of Rabindranath Tagore, the Poet, Philosopher, Musician, Writer, Educator, and Nobel Laureate. This site contains links to selected poems, conversations, and quotations.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Jazz Giant Louis Armstrong
The Library of Congress takes a jump back in time to examine the life and career of jazz innovator Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. Armstrong is known for his amazing talent as a jazz trumpeter and for his "scat" singing. This site will give...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Bob Marley
Read impressive biographical information on reggae musician, Bob Marley, a 1994 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events, recommended reading list, and essential songs.
Classical Net
Classical Net: Scott Joplin
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...
Other
Will Smith, Fresh Prince
Contains a biography of rapper/actor Will Smith (aka The Fresh Prince), among the first Grammy-winning rap artists.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Max Roach
Biographical sketch of Max Roach, an American jazz drummer and composer, one of the most influential and widely recorded modern percussionists.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Mc Coy Tyner
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Stevie Wonder
A brief biographical sketch of Stevie Wonder, an African-American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, a child prodigy who developed into one of the most creative musical figures of the late 20th century.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Sun Ra
Read about black American jazz composer and keyboard player, Sun Ra, who led a free jazz big band known for its innovative instrumentation and the theatricality of its performances.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Billy Strayhorn
Learn biographical details about American pianist and composer, Billy Strayhorn, who spent his entire career in collaboration with and as amanuensis to the composer and bandleader Duke Ellington.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Chick Webb
Features a biographical sketch of Chick Webb, black American jazz drummer who led one of the dominant big bands of the swing era.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Henry Threadgill
Summarizes the life and career of Henry Threadgill, an African American improviser, composer, and bandleader, an important figure in free jazz in the late 20th century.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Bo Diddley
Life and musical career of the influential Bo Diddley.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Curtis Mayfield
Career highlights of African American singer, songwriter, and producer Curtis Mayfield.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Sun Ra
This entry features Sun Ra, a black American jazz composer and keyboard player who led a free jazz big band known for its innovative instrumentation and the theatricality of its performances.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: w.c. Handy
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...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Art Tatum
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Art Tatum, a blind, self-taught American pianist, considered one of the greatest technical virtuosos in jazz.