Library of Congress
Loc: Jazz Singers: Online Exhibition
Library of Congress online exhibition of Jazz singers provides a short bio and photos of each of these influential artists offering perspectives of the art of vocal jazz from the 1920s to present.
PBS
Pbs: Jazz: A Film by Ken Burns
The companion website for a documentary film about jazz is home to a storehouse of resources and unique features about the historical, cultural, and artistic significance of jazz. With a timeline of key events in the history of jazz,...
PBS
Pbs: Jazz: Teddy Wilson
Part of the larger site, Jazz by PBS and Ken Burns, this page highlights the life of Teddy Wilson, one of the first black musicians to play with prominently white artists. Biographical information is from the New Grove Dictionary of Jazz.
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.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzie Gillespie helped create a new form of modern jazz called be-bop. It was the predecessor of hip-hop that is so popular today.
Scott Alexander
Red Hot Jazz: Joe 'King' Oliver
A biography of one of the most prominent artists of early jazz.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Explore Pa History: Jazz in Pennsylvania
Explore the history and influences of jazz in the state of Pennsylvania. Resource includes links to audio clips and video from artists, and stories of jazz from around the state.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: Le Tumulte Noir: Paul Colin's Jazz Age Portfolio
The spirit of Jazz Age Paris, as captured by French poster artist Paul Colin. Includes portraits of Josephine Baker and of other musicians and dancers of the time who were the undisputed stars of Parisian theater.
Other
The Artist Al Jolson
This site details Al Jolson's musical career. Check it out for some interesting information about the artist.
Other
All About Jazz: Arturo Sandoval
Learn about Arturo Sandoval and his life in Cuba and later in America.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Learning the Blues
This lesson plan introduces students to the blues. The origin and development of the blues is explored as well as its distinctive structure.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Louis Armstrong
Offers interesting biographical details on jazz musician, Louis Armstrong, a 1990 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events and essential songs list.
PBS
Pbs: Independent Lens: Life, Music, Photos of M. Hinton
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.
Black Past
Black Past: Ellington, Edward "Duke"
Duke Ellington's prominence as one of the greatest American composers and key figure in the development of the genre of jazz is highlighted in this encyclopedia entry.
Black Past
Black Past: Fitzgerald, Ella
This encyclopedia entry details the life of Ella Fitzgerald, the incredible jazz singer.
Other
Flemenco World: The First Solo Recordings, Paco and Jazz
This site provides an excerpt from Paco Sevilla's book "Paco de Lucia: A New Tradition for the Flamenco Guitar" which tell of Paco de Lucia's first solo recordings.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Billie Holiday Classroom Activity
A short lesson/activity over the popular jazz artist Billie Holiday, in particular her song "Strange Fruit." Provides a link to the song's lyrics and a clip, as well as other lesson plans, web links, and a bibliography. From April 7, 2007.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Mary Lou Williams
Biographical sketch of jazz pianist, Mary Lou Williams, who performed with and composed for many of the great jazz artists of the 1940s and '50s.
National Gallery of Art
National Gallery of Art: Children's Guide: The Art of Romare Bearden [Pdf]
A colorful, printable packet, from the National Gallery of Art, for students studying the work of Romare Bearden. Includes images of his work, including his well-known collages. Investigates all the important aspects of Bearden's work:...
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art: Romare Bearden: Let's Walk the Block
A fantastic site that allows you to zoom in on one of Bearden's pieces. See his famous collages up close. Get information on the artist and discover his inspiration. Includes further activities for teachers.
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Chico's Salsa Virtual Tour
This multimedia tour of Salsa dancing includes general background information, a chronology of salsa, sound and video clips, biographies on salsa artists, and resources for further reading and research. Also included is a "Salsa...
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.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: American Culture in the 1920s
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...