Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: A Brief History of Jazz!
A lesson plan that helps learners explore the roots of jazz music and some of the important jazz musicians in history.
Stanford University
Sulair: The Monterey Jazz Festival Collection
This fabulous site describes the repository of the digitized collection of music from the Monterey Jazz Festival from 1958 which is housed on the Stanford University campus. On this site you can read about the performances, watch and...
PBS
Pbs: Jazz: Biographies: James Reese Europe
Short but informative biography of jazz musician James Reese Europe (1881-1919) from Ken Burns' PBS documentary, Jazz.
Other
The Official Miles Davis Site
Learn about the famous jazz musician Miles Davis. Links to an extensive biography, music, pictures, and more.
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,...
Other
Jazz Improvisation Primer
An info-packed lesson on jazz improvisation and jazz history. Very useful for musicians aspiring to play in the jazz idiom.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Techno Pop
Feature series on "The Secret History of Technology and Pop Music," traced partly through the story of an Indiana company that stopped making pianos and started cutting 78 rpm records using the talents of famous jazz musicians and others.
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.
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.
Scott Alexander
Red Hot Jazz: Louis Armstrong Orchestra
Includes brief history of Louis Armstrong and his orchestra, a photo, and a complete discography list.
Black Past
Black Past: Henderson, Fletcher Hamilton, Jr.
This is a brief encyclopedia entry about Fletcher Henderson, jazz musician.
Other
Amg: All Music Guide: Duke Ellington
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.
Other
Benny Goodman: The Official Website of the King of Swing
Read comprehensive biographical information about Benny Goodman, including achievements, discography, and facts about his life and career as a jazz musician.
PBS
Pbs Kids Go: Chuck Vanderchuck "Something Something" Explosion!
Interactive site that teaches kids about jazz, jazz instruments, and writing jazz music. Includes games,videos, and lots of great sounds.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Louis Armstrong
Offers interesting biographical details on jazz musician, Louis Armstrong, a 1990 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events and essential songs list.
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.
Other
The Official John Coltrane Site
Considered to be one of the giants of jazz, John Coltrane is featured on this official website. Featured on this site is a biography, discography and pictures.
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...
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Benny Goodman
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1996 to commemorate famous jazz musician Benny Goodman. With a short biographical passage.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Learning the Blues
This lesson plan introduces students to the blues. The origin and development of the blues is explored as well as its distinctive structure.
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.
Other
The Unofficial Billie Holiday Website
Even though it is unauthorized, this is an exceptional site about jazz singer Billie Holiday. Included in this site is information about her life, her music and other resources leading to this jazz legend.
Other popular searches
- Blues and Jazz Musicians
- Canadian Jazz Musicians
- Swing Jazz Musicians
- Researching Jazz Musicians
- History of Jazz Musicians