Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Smithsonian Jazz: Duke Ellington

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
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.
Website
Other

The Duke Ellington Society

For Students 9th - 10th
The Duke Ellington Society maintains this wealth of information on Duke Ellington and his works including news, information on the singers who worked with him, audio clips, and links to other Ellington sites.
Handout
PBS

Pbs American Masters: Duke Ellington

For Students 9th - 10th
Duke Ellington was one of the most successful big band leaders of all time. Read about his life and music and learn more about his influences on the jazz world.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Duke Ellington

For Students 3rd - 5th
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.
Handout
Songwriters Hall of Fame

Songwriters Hall of Fame: Duke Ellington

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information about Duke Ellington.
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Archives Center: Duke Ellington: Biography

For Students 9th - 10th
A useful biographical note of Duke Ellington.
Unit Plan
Smithsonian Institution

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

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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
Other

Amg: All Music Guide: Duke Ellington

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents an overview of the musical career of Duke Ellington tells the chronological story of his rise to fame as an American jazz musician.
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...
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.
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.
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Ellington, Edward "Duke"

For Students 9th - 10th
Duke Ellington's prominence as one of the greatest American composers and key figure in the development of the genre of jazz is highlighted in this encyclopedia entry.
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.
Graphic
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.
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.
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.
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.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Great War & Jazz Age (1914 1928)

For Students 3rd - 8th
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...
Graphic
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.
Graphic
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.
Graphic
Curated OER

Amg All Music Guide: Duke Ellington: Photograph

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

All About Jazz

For Students 9th - 10th
Has reviews, interviews, and articles. Of special interest is the jazz time-line.