Penguin Books
Up Close: Ella Fitzgerald
A reading of Tanya Lee Stones' biography of Ella Fitzgerald lets middle schoolers get up close and personal with the First Lady of Jazz. Stone recounts details of Fitzgerald's life from her early days through her experiences as a teenage...
Practical Pages
Famous Artist of the Month
Feature one famous artist a month with a series of portraits, biographies, and examples of their gallery. With masters such as Augustus Rodin, Francisco Goya, and Michelangelo, the resource provides opportunities every month for kids to...
PBS
Pbs: Biography of Dizzy Gillespie
This PBS biography about trumpeter and jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie includes photos, multiple audio features, and links within the text to other famous musicians.
Curated OER
National Park Service: International Civil Rights Walk of Fame: Harold Belafonte
This biography highlights how musician Harry Belafonte played a part in the Civil Rights Movement.
Other
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Waylon Jennings
Learn the fascinating life story of country music legend, Waylon Jennings, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Click on the arrows to listen to him singing three songs.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Dolly Parton
This resource provides extensive information on the life and career of country music star, Dolly Parton. As a singer, songwriter, and actress she has been entertaining people for almost fifty years.
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...
El Poder de la Palabra (The Power of the Word)
E Pd Lp: Tomas Luis De Victoria Biography (In Spanish)
This page has a brief bibliography of the Spain composer Tomas Luis de Victoria.
Other
Bobby Hackett: Accomplished Musician
Read about the life of jazz trumpeter Bobby Hackett (1915-1976 CE). This biography is divided by decade to easily follow his career.
PBS
Pbs: Independent Lens: Life, Music, Photos of M. Hinton
Jazz bassist Milt Hinton is also known for the many photographs he has taken of legendary musicians. This site by PBS provides a biography, music samples and some of the pictures taken by this talented man.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Van Morrison
Presents detailed biographical information on influential musician, Van Morrison, a 1993 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events and an essential songs list.
Curated OER
National Park Service: International Civil Rights Walk of Fame: Stevie Wonder
An enlightening biography on the life and contributions of humanitarian/musician Stevie Wonder.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Archives Center: Duke Ellington: Biography
A useful biographical note of Duke Ellington.
Other
Dr. Estrella's Abridged Dictionary of Composers
Find basic accurate information on more than 500 composers. Most of the content also contains links to other sites that can provide even more information.
Other
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Charley Pride
Provides the life story of African American country music superstar, Charley Pride, a 2000 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Click on the arrows to listen to him singing three songs.
Other
Guitar Nine Records: Paco De Lucia
Biography of Paco de Lucia, the famous Spanish guitar player. Includes information about his most recent album.
PBS
Classics for Kids: Scott Joplin
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.
Black Past
Black Past: Watts, Andre
This encyclopedia article gives a brief biography of Andre Watts, the first internationally known black classical pianist.
Other
Susan Aglukark Online
This is Susan Aglukark's web site where you can read a biography of her and listen to her music.
PBS
Pbs American Masters: Sarah Vaughan
An informative biography of jazz singer Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990 CE) is presented highlighting her long musical career.
PBS
Classics for Kids: Johann Strauss, Jr.
This site has a short biography of Johann Strauss, Jr (1825-1899 CE) with an audio clip of the 'Tritsch-Tratsch Polka.' Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
Other
Johann Strauss, Jr. 1825 1899
A biography of Johann Strauss, Jr. (1825-1899 CE) with lots of images plus an extensive list of compositions.
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
Biografias Y Vidas
Allows user to search for biographies of different people. The site contains different biography classifications: historical, famous people of today such as stars and more! Easy to use and helpful for basic biographical knowledge.