Songwriters Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame: Billy Strayhorn
This resource provides information about Billy Strayhorn.
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.
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.
PBS
Pbs: Blues Road Trip
Come and trace the migration of the blues through the United States. This site features an in-depth look at the origins of the Blues throughout its development across the Deep South of the US and beyond.
Other
Dolly Parton
A biography of Dolly Parton in a timeline format. Also includes many links to photos and other information about this country music artist.
PBS
Pbs: The Blues as Poetry
Discover what the relationship is between poetry and the blues. This site features lesson plans and online resources.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: History Wired: Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington
Learn about the great big band leader Duke Ellington at this informative website. This site highlights his life and career in a well written article.
Library of Congress
Loc: The Leonard Bernstein Collection
This site from the Library of Congress provides information on perhaps the most important American musical figure of the 20th century has over 400,000 items housed in the Library of Congress. Photographs, his famous Young People's...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Making of African American Identity: The Blues
Examples of the blues inspired by the African American migration to Northern cities. These lyrics and audio clips explores the reasons for, and effects of, these migrations.
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.
Other
Article: What Makes Modern Jazz Modern?
A fairly long academic article on Modern Jazz and what "modern" really means.
Other
The Mozart Project
This online resource is a complete Mozart research tool. Includes an extensive biography, a family tree, a complete listing of his works by date and by category (many with sound clips), essays, and links to Mozart-related websites.
Other
Down Beat Magazine: Ben Webster
Ben Webster was one of the first important saxophone players to come out of Duke Ellington's orchestra. Read a biography, view pictures and see a discography of this 1974 Down Beat Hall of Fame inductee.
Other
Down Beat Magazine: Clifford Brown
Although he died at the young age of 25, Clifford Brown was one of the best trumpet players in jazz. Read a brief biography, view pictures and view a list of his recordings.
Other
Down Beat Magazine: Dexter Gordon
A 1980 Down Beat Hall of Fame inductee, saxophonist Dexter Gordon has lead a successful career in the field of jazz. Read a biography, view pictures and view a list of his recordings on this website.
Other
Down Beat Magazine: Freddie Hubbard
Highlighting the career of jazz trumpet player Freddie Hubbard, this site features a biography, pictures and a list of his recordings.
Quia
Quia: Music Trivia
A great study tool for a music class! Students match classical muscians to the instrument they play in one of four games: matching, concentration, flashcards, word search.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: Eye Contact: Ornette Coleman
A brief audio discussion of Elaine de Kooning's charcoal drawing of saxophonist, Ornette Coleman. Interesting comments by Wendy Wicks Reaves, curator at the National Portrait Gallery.
PBS
Pbs American Masters: Placido Domingo
One of the most popular opera singers today, Placido Domingo is discussed on this American Masters web site by PBS. Including a biography, a short list of his major works and a video, you will certainly learn more about this great singer.
PBS
Pbs American Masters: Sarah Vaughan
An informative biography of jazz singer Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990 CE) is presented highlighting her long musical career.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Billy Joel
Here you will find much information about one of "rock and roll's most talented and accomplished songwriters". He's had 13 Top Ten hits including 'Piano Man', 'It's Still Rock and Roll to Me', and 'We didn't Start the Fire' while also...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington (1899-1974 CE), a jazz legend, was a very interesting person. Here you will get brief biographical information along with a few additional articles on Ellington.
On Being
Speaking of Faith: On Being: Bach's Bible
Presented is an illustrated narrative slideshow that talks about the Bible's influence on one of Bach's compositions "Mass in B Minor." [ 3:48]