Curated OER
Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross, Moanin,' Payin' Your Dues
Young scholars examine the musical styles of call and response and the blues while delving into the difficult lives of many jazz musicians. Travelling in the South was challenging for black musicians during this time and the difficulties...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Learning the Blues
This lesson plan introduces young scholars to the blues. The origin and development of the blues is explored as well as its distinctive structure.
Rutgers University
One More Once: A Celebration of the Life of Count Basie
Here is a truly wonderful site devoted to the life and music of Count Basie. A musicography tracks his creations through the decades of his life, and there are also photo essays to add celebrity interest to this excellent site.
PBS
Pbs Kids Go: Chuck Vanderchuck "Something Something" Explosion!
Interactive site that teaches kids about jazz, jazz instruments, and writing jazz music. Includes games,videos, and lots of great sounds.
PBS
Pbs: Biography of Dizzy Gillespie
This PBS biography about trumpeter and jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie includes photos, multiple audio features, and links within the text to other famous musicians.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Documents Gallery: Ellington and Strayhorn
Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, two of the greatest jazz composers, collaborated on hundreds of works. As you explore this exhibition, you will have an opportunity to view original music scores, listen to audio clips, and view videos...
Stanford University
Sulair: The Monterey Jazz Festival Collection
This fabulous site describes the repository of the digitized collection of music from the Monterey Jazz Festival from 1958 which is housed on the Stanford University campus. On this site you can read about the performances, watch and...
Songwriters Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame: Scott Joplin
This resource provides information about Scott Joplin.
Other
The Official John Coltrane Site
Considered to be one of the giants of jazz, John Coltrane is featured on this official website. Featured on this site is a biography, discography and pictures.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Jazz and Ww Ii: A Rally to Resistance, a Catalyst for Victory
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.
Scott Alexander
Red Hot Jazz: Louis Armstrong Orchestra
Includes brief history of Louis Armstrong and his orchestra, a photo, and a complete discography list.
PBS
Pbs: Jazz: Lionel Hampton
Part of the PBS site on Jazz by Ken Burns. Provides the biography of Lionel Hampton, vibraphonist, drummer, and bandleader.
Tennessee History For Kids
Tennessee History for Kids: Bessie Smith
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...
PBS
Classics for Kids: Scott Joplin
A short biography of Scott Joplin (1868-1917 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
Other
The Unofficial Billie Holiday Website
Even though it is unauthorized, this is an exceptional site about jazz singer Billie Holiday. Included in this site is information about her life, her music and other resources leading to this jazz legend.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: A Brief History of Jazz!
A lesson plan that helps learners explore the roots of jazz music and some of the important jazz musicians in history.
Other
All About Jazz: Where to Begin?
A guide to help a newcomer to jazz become familiar with the genre.
Other
Alligator Records: Koko Taylor
Biographical information about Koko Taylor. Links to pages with information about each of her albums.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: Louis Armstrong: A Cultural Legacy
A brief biography of the life and musical career of Louis Armstrong from the National Portrait Gallery.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Thelonious Monk
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1995 to commemorate Thelonious monk, one of the founders of modern jazz. With a short biographical passage.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Duke Ellington
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1986 to commemorate famous jazz musician Duke Ellington. Includes a short biographical passage.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Nat "King" Cole
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1994 to commemorate acclaimed jazz pianist Nat King Cole. With a short biographical passage.