+
Website
Other

Oculus Magazine: Free Jazz

For Students 9th - 10th
A short description of the free jazz movement, and a timeline of important movements in jazz.
+
Website
Other

All About Jazz: Where to Begin?

For Students 9th - 10th
A guide to help a newcomer to jazz become familiar with the genre.
+
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Modern Jazz Quartet (Mjq)

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ), an American musical ensemble noted for delicate percussion sonorities, innovations in jazz forms, and consistently high-performance standards sustained over a...
+
Graphic
Curated OER

The Red Hot Jazz Archive: A History of Jazz Before 1930

For Students 9th - 10th
A short essay that discusses the history of jazz before 1930. Includes links to a full archive of information and recordings related to jazz.
+
Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Roaring Twenties [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Read this comprehensive look at the Roaring Twenties, or Jazz Age. Read about Prohibition and its ramifications, women's gains, entertainment, and literature. Also find out about the resurgence of racial unrest and violence. A very good...
+
Website
Other

Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago

For Students 9th - 10th
Information about the Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Company, includes company history.
+
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Books and Movies

For Students 5th - 8th
A look at the literature and movies written and produced in the Jazz Age. See how the writers of the age reflected the consumer society and the emptiness of middle class. Movies appealed to mass culture and millions went to the movies...
+
Handout
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission

Explore Pa History: Billie Holiday

For Students 9th - 10th
Examine the life and historical contributions of renown jazz vocalist and Pennsylvania native, Billie Holiday in this concise biography.
+
Article
Scott Alexander

The Red Hot Jazz Archive: Origins of Big Band Jazz

For Students 9th - 10th
Examines the progression from Ragtime and New Orleans jazz to Big Band.
+
Handout
Other

Unstrung History of American Guitar: The Guitar and the Birth of American Music

For Students 9th - 10th
The guitar in America began as an instrument used in popular music in the city and then branched out to minstrel shows, ragtime, and even jazz. Read about the history of this ubiquitous instrument and how it took on its American character.
+
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Old Values vs. New Values

For Students 9th - 10th
An overview of the clash between the old way of life of the Victorian Age and the new, the Jazz Age.
+
Lesson Plan
Yale University

Living Pictures Representing the History of Black Dance

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief history of black dance in America, includes dance pioneers in jazz dance, ballet, and modern dance.
+
Handout
Other

Down Beat: John Coltrane

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical information, photos, and a discography of jazz great John Coltrane, whose work in the 1960s included excursions into free jazz.
+
Website
Other

All About Jazz

For Students 9th - 10th
Has reviews, interviews, and articles. Of special interest is the jazz time-line.
+
Handout
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission

Explore Pa History: William Strayhorn

For Students 9th - 10th
Examine the historical contributions made to the jazz world by this noted composer and arranger from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
+
Article
Scott Alexander

Red Hot Jazz: Louis Armstrong (1900 1971)

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Red Hot Jazz contains a good biography of Louis Armstrong, arguably the most influential jazz musician. Very interesting and informative, also includes a picture.
+
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Mary Lou Williams

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Brittanica's Guide to Black History features Mary Lou Williams, a jazz pianist who performed with and composed for many of the great jazz artists of the 1940s and '50s. This site, rich in detail and breadth...
+
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Jazz Age 1919 1929: Prosperity and Popular Entertainment

For Students 11th - 12th
Examines the transformation of American culture and lifestyle through movies, sports and the automobile, particularly the Model T Ford.
+
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Jazz Age: Redefining the Nation 1919 1929: Transformation and Backlash

For Students 11th - 12th
Examines the role nativism played in 1920s America, the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan, the disconnect between urban and rural lifestyles and values, and the fractious debate over evolution that was highlighted in the Scopes trial.
+
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: The Jazz Age 1919 1929: Republican Ascendancy: Politics in the 1920s

For Students 11th - 12th
Examines the positive and negative aspects of Warren G. Harding's presidency, how Calvin Coolidge won the election of 1920, and his pro-business agenda.
+
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Fitzgerald, Ella

For Students 9th - 10th
This encyclopedia entry details the life of Ella Fitzgerald, the incredible jazz singer.
+
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Marsalis, Wynton

For Students 9th - 10th
This concise encyclopedia article tells about Wynton Marsalis as both a classical and jazz musician. There is a link to his own website.
+
Article
Scott Alexander

History of Jazz Before 1930: Bessie Smith, 1895 1937

For Students 9th - 10th
This page offers information about Bessie Smith's life and work, including several audio recordings.
+
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Learning the Blues

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan introduces young scholars to the blues. The origin and development of the blues is explored as well as its distinctive structure.

Other popular searches