Take a tour about jazz with jazz musician Wynton Marsalis. Through video segments, you'll learn about the trumpet, the history of jazz and key famous jazz legends.

Lesson plan that teaches the roles that jazz music and jazz musicians played in the war effort and that demonstrates the effect that the war had on jazz in America.

This site from Red Hot Jazz contains a good biography of Louis Armstrong, arguably the most influential jazz musician. Very interesting and informative, also includes a picture.

Often known as the "Empress of the Blues," Bessie Smith influenced entire generations of blues, jazz, and rock musicians and was the highest-paid black entertainer of her time. This website will provide more information about Smith's...

Examine the life and historical contributions of renown jazz vocalist and Pennsylvania native, Billie Holiday in this concise biography.

This concise encyclopedia article tells about Wynton Marsalis as both a classical and jazz musician. There is a link to his own website.

An informative biography of jazz singer Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990 CE) is presented highlighting her long musical career.

In this encyclopedia entry, you learn about Charles Mingus, jazz bassist and composer.

This encyclopedia entry gives a brief account of Thelonius Monk, jazz pianist, and his influence on the jazz scene.

Biographical account of Sonny Rollins, an American jazz musician, a tenor saxophonist who was among the finest improvisers on the instrument to appear since the mid-1950s.

Learn about the life of Cootie Williams, an African-American trumpeter whose mastery of mutes and expressive effects made him one of the most distinctive jazz musicians.

This entry features Sun Ra, a black American jazz composer and keyboard player who led a free jazz big band known for its innovative instrumentation and the theatricality of its performances.

This site from Gotta Dance offers an easy-to-read history of rumba.

Read about black American jazz composer and keyboard player, Sun Ra, who led a free jazz big band known for its innovative instrumentation and the theatricality of its performances.

Learn about the life and career of McCoy Tyner, an African-American jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer noted for his technical virtuosity and dazzling improvisations.

Summarizes the life and career of Henry Threadgill, an African American improviser, composer, and bandleader, an important figure in free jazz in the late 20th century.

Features a biographical sketch of Chick Webb, black American jazz drummer who led one of the dominant big bands of the swing era.

Summarizes the life and career of Sarah Vaughan, an American jazz vocalist and pianist known for her rich voice.

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Rex Stewart, a black American jazz musician unique for playing the cornet, rather than the trumpet, in big bands as well as small groups throughout his career. His mastery of expressive...