Library of Congress
Loc: African American Sheet Music, 1850 1920
View 1,300 pieces of sheet music composed by and about African Americans between 1850-1920.
Brown University
Brown University Library: African American Sheet Music: James Bland
This website is an excellent source for information on James Bland and his music. Includes images of his sheet music, complete with notes and links to related information on African-American music and popular music from the post-Civil...
PBS
Pbs American Masters: John Cage
Read about this unusual but creative modern classical composer. Highlighting his major works, this short biography explores his philosophy of music.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Smithsonian Jazz: Duke's Music Class
Learn about jazz from the master, Duke Ellington. Three activities explore his role as jazz composer, orchestra leader, and pianist.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Charles Ives
This resource provides information on Charles Ives (1874-1954 CE). This American composer's job, and source of income, was actually running an insurance agency. He would compose and play music at night, after work. Use this site to learn...
Black Past
Black Past: Joplin, Scott
This is a brief encyclopedia biography of the ragtime composer, Scott Joplin, whose music was influential in the growth of jazz.
Library of Congress
Loc: The Gershwin Legacy: George and Ira Gershwin
With their famous music and lyrics, the Library of Congress presents an in depth exhibit of primary source materials from the Gershwin brothers.
PBS
Pbs: The Blues as Poetry
Discover what the relationship is between poetry and the blues. This site features lesson plans and online resources.
Classical Net
Classical Net: George Gershwin
A short biography and many related links are included on this page about American composer, George Gershwin.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Duke Ellington
Biography of Duke Ellington, one of the originators of big band jazz, and a noted composer.
My Hero Project
My Hero: Scott Joplin
This article includes information on the life and musical contributions of Scott Joplin, the composer who gave us such songs as "The Entertainer" and "The Maple Leaf Rag."
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Duke Ellington
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1986 to commemorate famous jazz musician Duke Ellington. Includes a short biographical passage.
PBS
Pbs: Biography of Dizzy Gillespie
This PBS biography about trumpeter and jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie includes photos, multiple audio features, and links within the text to other famous musicians.
Library of Congress
Loc: Today in History: February 13: Victor Herbert/ascap
This is an article discussing the founding of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). It gives a detailed overview of it's first director, Victor Herbert.
Black Past
Black Past: Watts, Andre
This encyclopedia article gives a brief biography of Andre Watts, the first internationally known black classical pianist.
A&E Television
History.com: How Al Capone Spent His Time in Alcatraz
Public Enemy #1 was transferred to the now-infamous island prison a few weeks after it opened. To Americans of the 1920s and '30s, he was the notorious gangster Scarface Al, Public Enemy No. 1. But when he arrived at Alcatraz in late...
Songwriters Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame: Leonard Bernstein
This resource provides information about Leonard Bernstein.
PBS
Pbs: Math With Jake: Transposition Using Ratios
Composer and ukulele artist Jake Shimabukuro describes the concept of transposing notes in music and how ratios are applied in this video from Center for Asian American Media. Shimabukuro explains how to transpose music written in the...
Songwriters Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame: Chuck Berry
This resource provides information about Chuck Berry.
Other
Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization: Shows Collections: Irving Berlin
Detailed biography and discography of the work of songwriter, Irving Berlin.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Prince
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Prince, a singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer, dancer, and performer on keyboards, drums, and bass who was among the most talented American musicians of his generation. Like Stevie...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Wayne Shorter
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Wayne Shorter, an African-American musician and composer, a major jazz saxophonist, among the most influential hard-bop and modal musicians and a pioneer of jazz-rock fusion music.