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...
Stephen Byrne
History for Kids: Native American Entertainment
History for Kids provides an overview of the various forms of entertainment enjoyed by Native Americans. Young students will enjoy learning about what native American children did for fun. Includes links to teacher resources.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Blues Journey
Trace the history of the blues in America through the play, Blues Journey, based on the book by Walter Dean Myers. You can see video clips of the stage play, listen to blues radio shows, and learn about different types of blues music.
PBS
Pbs: Accordion Dreams
A very detailed site on the history and culture of the accordion. You'll find brief biographies on talented accordion players, a timeline, fun facts, and more!
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Slavery & the Making of America
Using primary documents, oral histories, and other historical resources, discover how the arts of Africa, Europe, and pre-Civil War America influenced the culture of enslaved African Americans.
PBS
Pbs: The Blues as Poetry
Discover what the relationship is between poetry and the blues. This site features lesson plans and online resources.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Quiz: Native American Entertainment Games, Sports, Music, Dance
History Questions: Native American Entertainment Quiz, Test, and WebQuest
Other
Classical Music Navigator: Forms and Styles
This alphabetized list of musical forms and styles briefly defines and describes the types of musical sounds and genres created throughout history.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: A New African American Culture
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.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Cross Country Rhythms (A Lesson on American Identity)
Students explore the relationship and discuss the connection between music, history, and culture by finding songs that personify American places and historical events.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Tennessee State History for Kids
Kids learn about the history and timeline of the state of Tennessee including early explorers, Native Americans, Country Music, the Civil War, and becoming a state.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, an American group that was instrumental in the development of hip-hop music.
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.
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: "Two Hearts That Beat as One" by Frank Norris
"Two Hearts that Beat as One" is the first of four in the collection about the Three Black Crowes by Frank Norris. Read the full text on this site.
Musicals 101
Musicals 101: History of the Musical Stage: Ziegfeld Follies
This article gives a history of the Ziegfeld Follies, with information on its creator Florenz Ziegfield, its origin, and the performers. The site also includes thumbnails of pictures of the Follies.
Black Past
Black Past: Jones, Quincy
This encyclopedia entry offers a brief look at Quincy Jones, who began as a jazz trumpet player, but has expanded his career beyond music into film and television. There are links to websites for more information.
Other
Unstrung History of American Guitar: The Guitar and the Birth of American Music
The guitar in America began as an instrument used in popular music in the city and then branched out to minstrel shows, ragtime, and even jazz. Read about the history of this ubiquitous instrument and how it took on its American character.
Other
Black Gospel Music: The History of Gospel Music
This site explores the history of Gospel music, including how gospel music began and some of the various incarnations it has gone through.
Other
American Forces Press Service: Interest Grows in Music Pioneer James Europe
Article from the U.S. Department of Defense commemorating James Reese Europe for both his contribution to the 369th Infantry Regiment in World War I and his place in jazz history before and after the war.
Digital History
Digital History: The Birth of American Popular Culture
A description of many different forms of popular culture in the first half of the 19th century ranging from sensationalized newspapers to dime novels to pseudoscience. Read about Stephen Foster's music, theatrical productions, and even...
Black Past
Black Past: Monk, Thelonius
This encyclopedia entry gives a brief account of Thelonius Monk, jazz pianist, and his influence on the jazz scene.
PBS
Pbs American Masters: Sarah Vaughan
An informative biography of jazz singer Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990 CE) is presented highlighting her long musical career.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Earth, Wind, and Fire
Read background information and the history of the music of the popular Grammy award winning band of the 1970s, Earth, Wind, & Fire.
Musicals 101
Musicals 101: Florenz Ziegfeld
This site from Musicals 101 provides great biographical information on Florenz Ziegfeld. The text is in-depth with pictures included, and covers not only Ziegfeld's life, but also Anna Held, and the birth of Ziegeld's Follies.