Other
Performing Songwriter: Richard Rodgers
Uncover the story of a major player in American musical theater, Richard Rogers. Videos and details of his contributions and his partners support the impact he made to the profession.
Duke University
Historical American Sheet Music: Mandy by Irving Berlin
Take a look at the sheet music from Irving Berlin's "Mandy", performed at Ziegfeld Follies in 1919. Very cool old poster.
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Lena Horne
PBS profiles American jazz singer and actress Lena Horne's life and music. Includes video.
Other
The American Federation of Musicians
The American Federation of Musicians is the union for musicians in America. Although work can be found without union membership (which is less true for actors), there is good information here.
Other
Art of the States
Listen to complete high quality music files from many of America's composers and performers. You can search by composer, performer, genre, instrumentation or time period.
Other
Gateshead Council: Farne: Folk Archive Resource North East
This site is from a British project that has collected recordings of traditional Northumbrian folk music. In addition to the the music itself, you'll find plenty of information on instruments, types of folk music, composers and...
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Charley Pride
A biography of famed country music singer Charley Pride, one of few African Americans in the industry to both perform at and be inducted to the Grand Ole Opry.
Library of Congress
Loc: American Variety Stage: Vaudeville and Popular Entertainment 1870 1920
This page is the front door to an extensive collection of play scripts, theater bills, motion pictures, sound recordings and photographs that document popular entertainment, especially vaudeville, from 1870 to 1920.
PBS
Pbs: The Blues Classroom
Access the educational resources developed by a Seattle-based museum to supplement the PBS documentary series "The Blues." Includes background essays on the blues; biographies, video clips, and sound clips from the series; a blues...
Other
The Georgia Sea Island Singers
The Georgia Sea Island Singers are carrying on the tradition of their ancestors by performing chants, work songs, and gospel songs all over the world.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Who Were the Cowboys Behind 'Cowboy Songs'?
This article and audio report [9:05] covers the origins of American cowboy folk songs. Uses popups. Also includes a brief video clip of a 19th century folk song being performed.
Library of Congress
Loc: First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald
This article about the life and music of Ella Fitzgerald explores major moments in the jazz singer's career.
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: b.b. King
Blues artist B.B. King biography provides an overivew of King's life and musical career. Site contains two videos of King performing.
Other
The Walt Disney Family Museum
This resource offers a great look at the life and work of American film director Walt Disney. Most of this museum is dedicated to him and includes his biography and audio interviews. However, there are several clips from some of his...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Women and the Blues
This collection uses primary sources to explore the impact of women blues performers.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: How to Blues
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...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Hamilton's America: Collection
GREAT PERFORMANCES: "Hamilton's America" provides a behind-the-scenes look at Lin-Manuel Miranda's smash hit Broadway musical Hamilton. "Hamilton's America" blends history, footage of Miranda's writing process, and scenes from the...
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.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: What Is Jazz?
This eight-page tutorial on jazz answers several basic questions (what is jazz, how did it develop) and keeps the topic of the tutorial focused within the realm of the African American understanding of jazz and focusing on its impact on...
Other
Jazz Roots: James Reese Europe
This site is a detailed account of Lieutenant Jim Europe's life as a musician, his performances in New York City, and his impact upon the music scene. Includes links to relevant people, photos, and a personal account by a witness of...
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Gertrude "Ma" Rainey
Known as the Mother of Blues, Gertrude "Ma" Rainey performed in a traveling minstrel show for over twenty years before recording over 100 songs for Paramount records. Because of her legacy as a blues singer, she has been inducted into...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Whitney Houston
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Whitney Houston, an American singer and actress who was one of the best-selling musical performers of the 1980s and '90s.
PBS
Pbs: The Blues as Poetry
Discover what the relationship is between poetry and the blues. This site features lesson plans and online resources.