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.
My Hero Project
My Hero: Scott Joplin
This article includes information on the life and musical contributions of Scott Joplin, the composer who gave us such songs as "The Entertainer" and "The Maple Leaf Rag."
Other
Africlassical: Black History and Classical Music
Africlassical profiles musicians and composers of African descent since the time of Mozart.
PBS
Pbs: Literature & Life: Choice of Weapons
It is hard to categorize Gordon Park, Sr., because he excelled in so many areas. He was well known for his writing, his photojournalism and in film. He also composed music. Listen here to an interview with Gordon Parks, Sr., and to...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Duke Ellington
Explore the fascinating life of a founding father of jazz music. Duke Ellington (1899-1974 CE) was a gifted musician and composer from an early age. This website provides you with a detailed account of his life and his accomplishments.
IMDb
Internet Movie Database: Gordon Parks
This site, part of the online movie database IMDb.com, provides a biography of Gordon Parks and links to discussions of his films, including "Shaft" and "The Learning Tree."
Songwriters Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame: Duke Ellington
This resource provides information about Duke Ellington.
Classical Net
Classical Net: Scott Joplin
This well-written biography of Scott Joplin not only provides his progress as a musician but also the personal events in his life which influenced his music. Includes links to a complete list of Joplin's works, a MIDI archive, and site...
Rutgers University
Rutgers University: Fats Waller Forever
This digital exhibit provides a basic overview of Fats Waller and his music. Divided into sections that cover Life and Times, Ed Kirkeby Collection, the music, recordings, European and US tours, notes, and more.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: James Bland
This site from the University of Virginia provides an image "of an 1879 songbook featuring the music of James Bland, an African American composer of minstrel pieces."
Black Past
Black Past: Watts, Andre
This encyclopedia article gives a brief biography of Andre Watts, the first internationally known black classical pianist.
Black Past
Black Past: Fitzgerald, Ella
This encyclopedia entry details the life of Ella Fitzgerald, the incredible jazz singer.
Scott Alexander
Red Hot Jazz: Ferdinand Jelly Roll Morton
Red Hot Jazz offers a biography of jazz great, Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton, with selections of Morton's compositions and arrangements in Real Audio format.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Herbie Nichols
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Herbie Nichols, an African-American jazz pianist and composer whose advanced bop-era concepts of rhythm, harmony, and form predicted aspects of free jazz.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Mc Coy Tyner
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Henry Threadgill
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.
Library of Congress
Loc: Samuel Coleridge Taylor
Coleridge-Taylor was so moved when he heard African American spirituals, that he incorporated the sound into his compositions. Here is a brief biography of his life.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Baby Dodds
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Baby Dodds, an African-American musican, a leading early jazz percussionist and one of the first major jazz drummers on record.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Stevie Wonder
A brief biographical sketch of Stevie Wonder, an African-American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, a child prodigy who developed into one of the most creative musical figures of the late 20th century.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Cootie Williams
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.
Other
Tania Leon: A Woman Pioneering the Future
At this site read about Tania Leon, the Cuban born composer and conductor. This article focuses mainly on her works.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Fats Waller
This resource presents a brief biography about jazz pianist and composer Fats Waller. Also featured in this resource are a couple of audio clips of his music.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Eubie Blake
Jazz composer and pianist Eubie Blake is written about in this resource. It features a brief biography about his career and music.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Erroll Garner
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Erroll Garner, a U.S. pianist and composer, one of the most virtuosic and popular pianists in jazz. Garner was influenced by Fats Waller and was entirely self-taught. He substituted for...