This site provides audio clips, photos, and biographical information of this legendary composer and performer. A match game teaches and tests your knowledge of Ellington.

The First World War had a crippling effect on any notions of positivity in the artists, writers, and intellectuals of that time and they became known as the Lost Generation. This page discusses this group of people, the emergence of jazz...

Visit this website for short biographies of some of the African American singers and composers who have contributed to the world of Classical music.

This site has ten lessons to teach about the blues in which students learn the geography, historical events and performers associated with the blues. The unit has been recognized by the American Music Education Initiative as one of the...

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,...

All immigrants to America bring a part of their homeland with them. The same was true of slaves. See how vocabulary, arts, and music were knit into American culture.

Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Sierra Leonean Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)

Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Eritrean Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)

In this lesson plan, students will consider "The Freedom Riders and the Popular Music of the Civil Rights Movement." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.

Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Cape Verdean Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)

Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Ethiopian Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)

Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Ghanaian Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)

Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Jamaican Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)

Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Kenyan Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)

Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Liberian Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)

Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Nigerian Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)

Sam Cooke's influence on music, as the pioneer in cross-over from gospel to rhythm and blues, is described in this encyclopedia entry. His music was important to the African-American identity in the Civil Rights movement.

The third lesson deals with the emergence of gospel as a form of popular music among a general public. Gospel is a musical genre with roots in the African American church, particularly in the South. Between the 1940s and the 1960s,...

This site reviews the 1993 production of "Five Guys Named Moe" at Boston's Wilbur Theater. It gives a good summary of the musical, as well as a critique of that production.

A short biography of William Grant Still (1895-1978 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.

Includes background essays, artist biographies, sheet music, video, and audio resources about ragtime.

This digital exhibit provides a basic overview of Fats Waller and his music. Divided into sections that cover Life and Times, Ed Kirkeby Collection, the music, recordings, European and US tours, notes, and more.

This site explores the history of Gospel music, including how gospel music began and some of the various incarnations it has gone through.

Jazz bassist Milt Hinton is also known for the many photographs he has taken of legendary musicians. This site by PBS provides a biography, music samples and some of the pictures taken by this talented man.