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Scott Alexander

Lieutenant James Reese Europe: Songs Back From the Battle

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is an extensive biography of World War I African American soldier and jazz musician Lieutenant James Reese Europe. It includes much detail about Europe's life, experience in the military, and success as a bandleader. Photos,...
Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Buddy Bolden: Calling His Children Home

For Students 9th - 10th
One of the early cornet players, Buddy Bolden was a key figure in the early development of jazz. Read about his life and career in this well written site.
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Other

The Official Poncho Sanchez Website

For Students 9th - 10th
Prominent Latin jazz musician Poncho Sanchez's website contains a biography, discography, and photo/video gallery.
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Milt Hinton

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Milt Hinton, an African American jazz musician, a highly versatile bassist who came of age in the swing era and became one of the favorite bassists of post-World War II jazz.
Website
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Dizzy Gillespie

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the John F. Kennedy Center provides a brief biography on the legacy of jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie is found here.
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Arlington Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery Website: James Reese Europe

For Students 9th - 10th
This unofficial site about those interred in Arlington National Cemetery offers a brief biography of James Reese Europe, African American jazz musician who was the leader of the military band attached to the 369th Infantry Regiment, the...
Website
Other

Oscar Peterson's Official Web Site

For Students 9th - 10th
On Oscar Peterson's official web site, you can find biographical information, music samples, lists of everything he has published, his journal and photos of him with other jazz greats.
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 young scholars. 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
Library and Archives Canada

Library and Archives Canada: Willie Eckstein, Pianist and Composer (1888 1963)

For Students 9th - 10th
Willie Eckstein was also known as "The Boy Paderewski" or "Mr. Fingers" for his prodigious talent as a pianist. Trained as a classical pianist, he performed vaudeville and as an accompanist to silent movies, often attracting more...
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Curated OER

Amg All Music Guide: Duke Ellington: Photograph

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Photo of famous jazz musician, Duke Ellington.
Graphic
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Thelonious Monk

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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.
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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.
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Bunk Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Bunk Johnson, a black American jazz trumpeter, one of the first musicians to play jazz and a principal figure of the 1940s traditional jazz revival.
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Sun Ra

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about black American jazz composer and keyboard player, Sun Ra, who led a free jazz big band known for its innovative instrumentation and the theatricality of its performances.
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John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Fats Waller

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents a brief biography about jazz pianist and composer Fats Waller. Also featured in this resource are a couple of audio clips of his music.
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Max Roach

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical sketch of Max Roach, an American jazz drummer and composer, one of the most influential and widely recorded modern percussionists.
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Mc Coy Tyner

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the life and career of McCoy Tyner, an African-American jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer noted for his technical virtuosity and dazzling improvisations.
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Chick Webb

For Students 9th - 10th
Features a biographical sketch of Chick Webb, black American jazz drummer who led one of the dominant big bands of the swing era.
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Henry Threadgill

For Students 9th - 10th
Summarizes the life and career of Henry Threadgill, an African American improviser, composer, and bandleader, an important figure in free jazz in the late 20th century.
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Mary Lou Williams

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical sketch of jazz pianist, Mary Lou Williams, who performed with and composed for many of the great jazz artists of the 1940s and '50s.
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Sun Ra

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry features Sun Ra, a black American jazz composer and keyboard player who led a free jazz big band known for its innovative instrumentation and the theatricality of its performances.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Baby Dodds

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Baby Dodds, an African-American musican, a leading early jazz percussionist and one of the first major jazz drummers on record.
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Carmen Mc Rae

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Carmen McRae, an American jazz vocalist and pianist who from an early emulation of vocalist Billie Holiday grew to become a distinctive stylist, known for her smoky voice and her melodic...

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