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.
Graphic
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.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Harlem Renaissance

For Students 5th - 8th
The Harlem Renaissance influenced not only African American culture in the Jazz Age, but all of American culture. Read about some of the shining stars of African American literature and music of the age.
Lesson Plan
Yale University

Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: How to Blues

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This site has ten lessons to teach about the blues in which students learn the geography, historical events and performers associated with the blues. The unit has been recognized by the American Music Education Initiative as one of the...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Web Guides: A Guide to Harlem Renaissance Materials

For Students 9th - 10th
Presents the Library's resources as well as links to external web sites on the Harlem Renaissance, and a bibliography.
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: 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.
Handout
Danuta Bois

Distinguished Women of Past and Present: Ella Fitzgerald

For Students 3rd - 8th
This is a very short article on Ella Fitzgerald, a jazz singer who was discovered while "singing in a Harlem talent show."
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.