Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Documents Gallery: Ellington and Strayhorn
Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, two of the greatest jazz composers, collaborated on hundreds of works. As you explore this exhibition, you will have an opportunity to view original music scores, listen to audio clips, and view videos...
PBS
Pbs: Jazz: A Film by Ken Burns
The companion website for a documentary film about jazz is home to a storehouse of resources and unique features about the historical, cultural, and artistic significance of jazz. With a timeline of key events in the history of jazz,...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: A Brief History of Jazz!
A lesson plan that helps students explore the roots of jazz music and some of the important jazz musicians in history.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Great War & Jazz Age (1914 1928)
This Library of Congress time-line series surveys World War I and the Jazz Age. When World War I broke out in Europe, many changes were going on in the United States. Women were voting for the first time and African-American culture was...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzie Gillespie helped create a new form of modern jazz called be-bop. It was the predecessor of hip-hop that is so popular today.
Scott Alexander
Red Hot Jazz: Ferdinand Jelly Roll Morton
Red Hot Jazz offers a biography of jazz great, Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton, with selections of Morton's compositions and arrangements in Real Audio format.
Other
The Official Miles Davis Site
Learn about the famous jazz musician Miles Davis. Links to an extensive biography, music, pictures, and more.
Other
Down Beat: Cecil Taylor
A detailed site containing information in the following sections: photos, biography, and archived news articles about avant-garde pianist/composer Cecil Taylor.
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...
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.
Scott Alexander
Alberta Hunter
This site contains an article on the singer and composer Alberta Hunter. It also includes audio clips of some of her most famous songs. Excellent resource.
Library of Congress
Loc: First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald
This article about the life and music of Ella Fitzgerald explores major moments in the jazz singer's career.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Thelonious Monk
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1995 to commemorate Thelonious monk, one of the founders of modern jazz. With a short biographical passage.
PBS
Classics for Kids: George Gershwin
A short biography of George Gershwin (1898-1937 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
Curated OER
Red Hot Jazz: Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton
Red Hot Jazz offers a biography of "the first great composer and piano player of jazz," Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton, with selections of Morton's compositions and arrangements in Real Audio format.
Songwriters Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame: Scott Joplin
This resource provides information about Scott Joplin.
Other
Down Beat Magazine: Clifford Brown
Although he died at the young age of 25, Clifford Brown was one of the best trumpet players in jazz. Read a brief biography, view pictures and view a list of his recordings.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Duke Ellington
Explore the fascinating life of a founding father of jazz music. Duke Ellington (1899-1974 CE) was a gifted musician and composer from an early age. This website provides you with a detailed account of his life and his accomplishments.
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.
Other
Down Beat Magazine: Dexter Gordon
A 1980 Down Beat Hall of Fame inductee, saxophonist Dexter Gordon has lead a successful career in the field of jazz. Read a biography, view pictures and view a list of his recordings on this website.
Other
Down Beat Magazine: Freddie Hubbard
Highlighting the career of jazz trumpet player Freddie Hubbard, this site features a biography, pictures and a list of his recordings.
Classical Net
Classical Net: Aaron Copland, 1900 1990
A good biography, with a good list of works, make this worthwhile, with links to related composers and at least one work, "Appalachian Spring."
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.
Rutgers University
Rutgers University: Fats Waller Forever
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.