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American Academy of Achievement

Academy of Achievement: Esperanza Spalding

For Students 9th - 10th
Biography of jazz musician, singer and songwriter, Esperanza Spalding.
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Library and Archives Canada

Library and Archives Canada: Romeo Beaudry, Producer (1882 1932)

For Students 9th - 10th
Romeo Beaudry and Herbert Berliner were prominent producers of Quebecois music in the early days of recorded music. Through their efforts, many French Canadian artists were able to develop careers as musicians. Many of the songs they...
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American Academy of Achievement

Academy of Achievement: Wynton Marsalis

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of jazz musician Wynton Marsalis. A musical prodigy, he began playing in orchestras while still in high school. He later won the Pulitzer Prize in Music. Includes a profile, videos, and a photo gallery.
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Prince

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore detailed biographical information on black funk/white rock star musician, Prince, a 2004 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a recommended reading list and essential songs.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Lucky Thompson

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical details on Lucky Thompson, an American jazz musician, one of the most distinctive and creative bop-era tenor saxophonists, who in later years played soprano saxophone as well.
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American Academy of Achievement

Academy of Achievement: Sonny Rollins

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Sonny Rollins, a jazz soloist who plays tenor saxophone. He is considered to be the greatest living jazz soloist whose breadth and depth of talent seems to know no bounds. Includes a profile, videos, and a photo gallery.
Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Ray Charles (1930 2004)

For Students 9th - 10th
Brush up on the life of legendary soul musician, Ray Charles, who was declared legally blind at age seven and because of this wore dark glasses that would become his trademark. The song most associated with him, "Georgia on My Mind",...
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Other

Al Jadid Magazine: Remembering Farid Al Atrash

For Students 9th - 10th
This biography of Arab musician and composer Farid al-Atrash discusses both his personal and musical lives and argues for his recognition as one of the most important contemporary Arab musicians.
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Other

Canadian Music and the World

For Students 9th - 10th
Become acquainted with famous Canadian musicians and learn how Canada has contributed to the World Music scene. Highlighted are the music scenes in Quebec and the Canadian Maritimes both of which have a unique musical culture.
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Carl Perkins

For Students 9th - 10th
Offers interesting biographical details on Southern rockabilly musician Carl Perkins, a 1987 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events, essential songs, and recommended reading list.
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Curtis Mayfield

For Students 9th - 10th
Covers extensive biographical details on successful soul musician, Curtis Mayfield, a 1999 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events, recommended reading list, and essential songs.
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Rod Stewart

For Students 9th - 10th
Features comprehensive biographical details on legendary rock and roll musician, Rod Stewart, a 1994 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events, recommended reading list, and essential songs.
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John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Dolly Parton

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides extensive information on the life and career of country music star, Dolly Parton. As a singer, songwriter, and actress she has been entertaining people for almost fifty years.
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Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Sean Combs

For Students 9th - 10th
With this resource, students can discover the story of rapper, record producer, clothing designer, and political activist, Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, while viewing a photo and reading a biography.
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Curated OER

National Park Service: New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park: Sidney Bechet

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover more about the life of jazz pioneer Sidney Bechet with this well written site. With his colorful personality and unique style, you will appreciate the contributions this musician had toward the development of jazz.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Art Pepper

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Art Pepper, an American jazz musician noted for the beauty of his sound and his improvisations on alto saxophone, and a major figure in the 1950s in West Coast jazz (see cool jazz).
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Billy Eckstine

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Billy Eckstine, an American singer and bandleader who achieved great personal success while fostering the careers of a number of younger jazz musicians.
Handout
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.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Lionel Hampton

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Lionel Hampton, an American jazz musician and bandleader, known for the rhythmic vitality of his playing and his showmanship as a performer. Best known for his work on the vibraphone,...
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: T Bone Walker

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical information on African-American musician and songwriter T-Bone Walker, a major figure in modern blues. He was the first important electric guitar soloist in the blues and one of its most influential players.
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PBS

Pbs: Jazz: Teddy Wilson

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of the larger site, Jazz by PBS and Ken Burns, this page highlights the life of Teddy Wilson, one of the first black musicians to play with prominently white artists. Biographical information is from the New Grove Dictionary of Jazz.
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American Academy of Achievement

Academy of Achievement: The Hall of Arts

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the lives of famous people in the arts who exemplify what it means to live a meaningful life and achieve your goals.
Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Isaac Hayes (B. 1942)

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the life and career of soul musician Isaac Hayes who was the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best original Song for the "Theme from Shaft."
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: How Playing an Instrument Benefits Your Brain

For Students 9th - 10th
When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout. What's going on? Anita Collins explains the fireworks...

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