Curated OER
Jazz Forms and Improvisation
Students listen to an original recording of Louis Armstrong and discuss instrumentation. They identify an AABA song form as they listen. They list similarities between the following: traditional meets modern and small group vs. big band.
Curated OER
The Role of Music in Time of War
In this music and war activity, 9th graders read about the instruments and the types of music the are popular during times of war. They read about the Big Band era that took place during World War II before answering 5 associated...
Scott Alexander
Red Hot Jazz: Benny Goodman and His Orchestra
Lots of information on Benny Goodman with links to related subjects: his music, his band members, his bands and orchestras.
Other
Amg: All Music Guide: Charlie Parker
A comprehensive resource devoted to all aspects of Charlie Parker including a biography, links to his contemporaries and influences, a complete discography with reviews, and a bibliography.
Other
Glenn Miller Orchestra
Website of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, one of the original and still one of the best big band orchestras.
Scott Alexander
The Red Hot Jazz Archive: Origins of Big Band Jazz
Examines the progression from Ragtime and New Orleans jazz to Big Band.
Scott Alexander
The Red Hot Jazz Archive: James Fletcher Henderson
Biography, discography, suggested reading, and links to Fletcher Henderson's contemporaries.
PBS
Pbs: Jazz: Glenn Miller
This site offers a short biography of the great musical composer Glenn Miller. Includes information on his backgrounds, as well as his musical achievements.
PBS
Pbs: Jazz: Paul Whiteman
This site gives a good biography of the famous bandleader Paul Whiteman, known as the "King of Jazz."
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.
Library of Congress
Loc: Photographs From the Age of Jazz
This William P. Gottlieb Collection from the Library of Congress contains over 1600 photographs of celebrated jazz artists and documents the jazz scene from 1938 to 1948.
Other
The Art of Recording the Big Band
A very extensive paper about recording big bands. It has information about the recording methods of the 1920s and 30s.
Other
All About Jazz: Fletcher Henderson
A biography of Fletcher Henderson, including suggested listening and suggested reading materials.
Other
All About Jazz
Has reviews, interviews, and articles. Of special interest is the jazz time-line.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Benny Goodman
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1996 to commemorate famous jazz musician Benny Goodman. With a short biographical passage.
Other
Glenn Miller Birthplace Society
A nice site about Glenn Miller including facts about his birthplace home, information on festivals and scholarships and his biography.
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Louis Armstrong
PBS provides an overview and highlights of the life of jazz great, Louis Armstrong.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Fletcher Henderson
This resource highlights the career of big band leader Fletcher Henderson, by providing a brief overview of his life and music. It includes a few audio clips of his music.
Scott Alexander
Red Hot Jazz: Paul Whiteman
This site gives a brief biography of one of the greatest band leaders of the twenties.