eBook
The Washington Post

The Washington Post: "The History of Jazz," Chapter 1

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers the first chapter of Ted Gioia's book, "The History of Jazz." This chapter focuses on the prehistory of jazz, including the Africanization of American music, country blues and classic blues, and Scott Joplin and Ragtime.
Handout
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission

Explore Pa History: William Strayhorn

For Students 9th - 10th
Examine the historical contributions made to the jazz world by this noted composer and arranger from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Mary Lou Williams

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Brittanica's Guide to Black History features Mary Lou Williams, a jazz pianist who performed with and composed for many of the great jazz artists of the 1940s and '50s. This site, rich in detail and breadth...
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Jazz Age 1919 1929: Prosperity and Popular Entertainment

For Students 11th - 12th
Examines the transformation of American culture and lifestyle through movies, sports and the automobile, particularly the Model T Ford.
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Jazz Age: Redefining the Nation 1919 1929: Transformation and Backlash

For Students 11th - 12th
Examines the role nativism played in 1920s America, the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan, the disconnect between urban and rural lifestyles and values, and the fractious debate over evolution that was highlighted in the Scopes trial.
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: The Jazz Age 1919 1929: Republican Ascendancy: Politics in the 1920s

For Students 11th - 12th
Examines the positive and negative aspects of Warren G. Harding's presidency, how Calvin Coolidge won the election of 1920, and his pro-business agenda.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Learning the Blues

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan introduces students to the blues. The origin and development of the blues is explored as well as its distinctive structure.
Handout
Other

Down Beat: Cecil Taylor

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed site containing information in the following sections: photos, biography, and archived news articles about avant-garde pianist/composer Cecil Taylor.
Handout
Other

Down Beat: Albert Ayler

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed article containing the following sections: biography, discography, photos, and news articles about Albert Ayler.
Website
Central Home

Central Home: History of Jazz Dance

For Students 9th - 10th
Ths site describes the growth and basic elements of jazz music and dance.
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: The Jazz Age

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive overview with many interesting facts and information on the Jazz Age, a period in U.S. history associated with exuberance and the introduction of jazz music.
Website
Alabama Department of Archives and History

Alabama Department of Archives & History

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Separate Halls of Fame as established by the Alabama Legislature. Includes: business; international motorsports, military, press association, Alabama sports, women, teachers, music and much more.
Article
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: 20th Century: Religion in American History: The Rise of Fundamentalism

For Students 9th - 10th
An essay on the definition and discussion of generic fundamentalism and historic fundamentalism, includes historian debate, online resources and guide for student discussion.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Harlem Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
Extensive information about the Harlem Renaissance, a period of time considered to be the cultural awakening of African Americans. Included are sections on poetry, fiction, and drama, as well as the legacy of this movement.
Handout
National Women’s History Museum

National Women's History Museum: Gertrude "Ma" Rainey

For Students 9th - 10th
Often called the "Mother of the Blues," Ma Rainey was known for her deep-throated voice and mesmerizing stage presence that drew packed audiences and sold hit records in the early twentieth century.
Unit Plan
Department of Defense

Do Dea: Ap Us History: Unit 6: Becoming a Modern Nation

For Students 9th - 10th
This extensive learning module examines the role of large-scale industrialization, urbanization, and mass migrations in creating new demands on government and social organizations to design reforms, and looks at the global and domestic...
Article
Curated OER

History Matters: The National Pastime in the 1920s: The Rise of the Baseball Fan

For Students 9th - 10th
Read this article from a 1923 issue of Literary Digest that discusses the rise in interest in baseball. The author contends that the attendance at baseball games is a chance for the upper class and working class to mix socially in a way...
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.
Article
OpenStax

Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Listening to Ragtime

For Students 9th - 10th
An excellent resource explaining the details that characterize ragtime music. From the rhythms to the typical form, this site gives a great overview of this early style of jazz.
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.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: The 1920s an Overview

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief overview of what is in store for America in the 1920s, the Jazz Age. Read about the rise of consumerism, the clash of values, and the rise of fearing the "other."
Website
Digital History

Digital History: Low Brow and Middle Brow Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
A good overview of the popular culture in the Jazz Age. Read about the kinds of entertainment and literature enjoyed by the middle class in the 1920s.
Article
Scott Alexander

Red Hot Jazz: Dorsey Brothers Orchestra

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief history of the Dorsey Brothers' musical careers including a good sized discography collection.
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.

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