Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: History Wired: Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington
Learn about the great big band leader Duke Ellington at this informative website. This site highlights his life and career in a well written article.
PBS
Pbs American Experience: How Marian Anderson Became the Voice of the Century
Explore the life of singer Marian Anderson and her triumphant 1939 concert at the Lincoln Memorial.
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Isaac Hayes (B. 1942)
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."
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Curtis Mayfield
Career highlights of African American singer, songwriter, and producer Curtis Mayfield.
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Ray Charles (1930 2004)
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",...
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Sean Combs
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: T Bone Walker
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.
Curated OER
National Park Service: New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park: Sidney Bechet
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.
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Johnny Dodds
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Johnny Dodds, an African-American musician noted as one of the most lyrically expressive of jazz clarinetists.
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."
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Albert King
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Albert King, an American blues musician who created a unique string-bending guitar style that influenced three generations of musicians.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Etta Baker
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Etta Baker, an American folk musician who influenced the folk music revival of the 1950s and '60s with her mastery of East Coast Piedmont blues, a unique fingerpicking style of...
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Gladys Knight (B. 1944)
Explore the life and career of Motown's leading lady of soul, Gladys Knight. Along with the family music group "the Pips", she had numerous hits that reached the top of R&B and pop music charts.
Other
Nat King Cole Society: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee
This site provides information about Nat King Cole, as well as a timeline of his life. Nat King Cole was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Songwriters Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame: Antoine Fats Domino
This resource provides information about Antoine Fats Domino.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Dorothy West
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Dorothy West, an American writer who explored the aspirations and conflicts of middle-class African Americans in many of her works and was one of the last surviving members of the...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Milt Hinton
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Milt Jackson
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Milt Jackson, an African-American jazz musician, the first and most influential vibraphone improviser of the postwar, modern jazz era.