Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Famous African Americans Duke Ellington

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage contains biographical information about the famous jazz composter, Duke Ellington. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and...
Article
Scott Alexander

Red Hot Jazz: Duke Ellington (1899 1974)

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a good biography of Duke Ellington, an influential and famous jazz pianist. Pictures are provided along with links for additional information.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Duke Ellington

For Students 3rd - 8th
Duke Ellington (1899-1974 CE), a jazz legend, was a very interesting person. Here you will get brief biographical information along with a few additional articles on Ellington.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Duke Ellington

For Students 9th - 10th
Biography of Duke Ellington, one of the originators of big band jazz, and a noted composer.
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Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Duke Ellington

For Students 9th - 10th
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1986 to commemorate famous jazz musician Duke Ellington. Includes a short biographical passage.
Handout
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Duke Ellington

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource features a brief biography about big band leader Duke Ellington. It includes some audio and video clips of his music.
Website
Other

G. Schirmer, Inc.: Edward K. (Duke) Ellington

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief biography of the famous American Jazz composer, pianist, and band leader, Duke Ellington (1899-1974 CE). The site describes "Duke's" personal and professional life.
Website
New York Times

New York Times: Ellington at 100

For Students 9th - 10th
Celebrating the life and career of jazz legend Duke Ellington, this New York Times site features many articles about him. With a slideshow and pictures, you will learn all about this giant of jazz.
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Learning Through the Duke

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Describe the life of Duke Ellington and his contributions to the field of jazz, write an original poem using a variety of popular vocabulary from the 1920's and respond to Ellington's composition "Mood Indigo" by creating a painting.
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Curated OER

The Red Hot Jazz Archive: Edward "Duke" Ellington

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at the fascinating life of Duke Ellington, with lots of links to related information. Listen to his music as you read about this great jazz musician.
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Curated OER

Amg All Music Guide: Duke Ellington: Photograph

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Photo of famous jazz musician, Duke Ellington.
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Curated OER

The Red Hot Jazz Archive: Edward "Duke" Ellington

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at the fascinating life of Duke Ellington, with lots of links to related information. Listen to his music as you read about this great jazz musician.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Smithsonian Jazz

For Students 9th - 10th
Smithsonian Jazz is home to several online exhibits, an interactive "Duke Ellington class," recordings, publications, oral histories, and similar resources.
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Curated OER

Duke Ellington

For Students Pre-K - 1st
An image of Duke Ellington.
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Curated OER

National Museum of American History: Documents Gallery: Ellington and Strayhorn

For Students 9th - 10th
Photograph of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.
Article
Other

Down Beat Magazine: Ben Webster

For Students 9th - 10th
Ben Webster was one of the first important saxophone players to come out of Duke Ellington's orchestra. Read a biography, view pictures and see a discography of this 1974 Down Beat Hall of Fame inductee.
Website
Other

John Carrol University: Harlem Renaissance Multimedia Resource

For Students 9th - 10th
This site about the Harlem Renaissance includes audio and video files. A great resource that discusses many aspects of the Harlem Renaissance including African American education, politics, literature, and philosophy.
Handout
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Drop Me Off in Harlem

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of biographies, video and audio clips, and photos offer a look at the people, locations, and themes of the Harlem Renaissance.
Handout
Other

Kingwood Library: American Cultural History: 1940 1949

For Students 9th - 10th
Take a walk through this part of American history surrounding World War II. Each section includes cultural history of the time, with links pertaining to art and architecture, books and literature, education, fads and fashion, historic...
Lesson Plan
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Musical Harlem

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
The Kennedy Center's ArtsEdge offers a great unit for introducing jazz to students. Its use of Harlem as the "glue" which binds together elements such as jazz history and jazz terminology, makes it particularly effective for the...
Handout
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission

Explore Pa History: Billy Eckstine

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn of the historical contributions of jazz musician, band leader, and Pennsylvania native, Billy Eckstine in this succinct biography.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Josephine Baker: Image and Icon

For Students 9th - 10th
A slideshow of more than a dozen photographic, drawn, and printed portraits of Josephine Baker, set to the music of Duke Ellington. An evocative encapsulation of Jazz Age celebrity.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Harry Howell Carney

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Harry Howell Carney, an American musician, featured soloist in Duke Ellington's band and the first baritone saxophone soloist in jazz.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Billy Strayhorn

For Students 9th - 10th
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.

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