Curated OER
Learning through The Duke
Students study Duke Ellington's contributions to the field of jazz. They write poetry using language that was popular in the 1920's. They listen to a piece of Duke Ellington jazz and respond with at painting.
Look! We're Learning!
Ella Fitzgerald Biography Mini-Unit
Before there was Beyonce, before there was Madonna, before there was Cher, there was Ella. Introduce Ella Fitzgerald, The First Lady of Jazz, with a reading comprehension exercise that presents a brief biography of her life and then asks...
San Francisco Symphony
Learning Adjectives through the Duke
Duke Ellington, jazz, and jive kick-off a fun and creative lesson on responding emotionally to music. The class will learn about jive talk used in the 1920s and the life and music of Duke Ellington. They'll listen to a selection of his...
Curated OER
Duke Ellington: Great American Musician and Composer
Students delve into the life and music of Duke Ellington as a major American musician and composer. The elements that made the sound of his orchestra unique and the talents of his band members are explored in this lesson.
CHPCS
The United States in the 1920s: The New Negro Movement and the Harlem Renaissance
Music, writing, and activism all tell the story of history! The resource uses these elements and more in a presentation to discuss the Jazz Age and Harlem Renaissance. Your class views biographies, discusses important events, and...
Curated OER
Let's Do a Biography!
Students sequence events of a biography for a person from the District of Columbia. In this sequence of events lesson, students read about the life of Duke Ellington and sequence the events of his lifetime into a timeline activity.
Curated OER
Draw Me the Music
Students explore and investigate the foundation and history of jazz music. They listen to various pieces of music while creating drawings, develop a timeline of jazz history, and read and discuss biographies of famous jazz musicians.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Archives Center: Duke Ellington: Biography
A useful biographical note of Duke Ellington.
Read Works
Read Works: Famous African Americans Duke Ellington
[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...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Smithsonian Jazz: Duke Ellington
This site provides audio clips, photos, and biographical information of this legendary composer and performer. A match game teaches and tests your knowledge of Ellington.
Scott Alexander
Red Hot Jazz: Duke Ellington (1899 1974)
This site provides a good biography of Duke Ellington, an influential and famous jazz pianist. Pictures are provided along with links for additional information.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Duke Ellington
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Duke Ellington
Biography of Duke Ellington, one of the originators of big band jazz, and a noted composer.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Duke Ellington
This resource features a brief biography about big band leader Duke Ellington. It includes some audio and video clips of his music.
Other
G. Schirmer, Inc.: Edward K. (Duke) Ellington
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.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Drop Me Off in Harlem
A collection of biographies, video and audio clips, and photos offer a look at the people, locations, and themes of the Harlem Renaissance.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Explore Pa History: Billy Eckstine
Learn of the historical contributions of jazz musician, band leader, and Pennsylvania native, Billy Eckstine in this succinct biography.
Other
Down Beat Magazine: Ben Webster
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Harry Howell Carney
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.
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.
Danuta Bois
Distinguished Women of Past and Present: Ella Fitzgerald
This is a very short article on Ella Fitzgerald, a jazz singer who was discovered while "singing in a Harlem talent show."