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Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Mingus, Charles

For Students 9th - 10th
In this encyclopedia entry, you learn about Charles Mingus, jazz bassist and composer.
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: The Roaring Twenties

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This activity involves comparing turn of the century music with the music from the Jazz Age. Students will listen to musical selections and analyze how the change in the music reflects the change in cultural attitudes. They will also...
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Handout
Other

Bobby Hackett: Accomplished Musician

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the life of jazz trumpeter Bobby Hackett (1915-1976 CE). This biography is divided by decade to easily follow his career.
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Activity
Other

Online Mallet Lessons

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains numerous tips and suggestions dealing with many facets of playing the vibraphone and marimba. Although much of the information is jazz oriented, some is general enough that it could easily be applied to xylophone and...
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Handout
Other

Down Beat Magazine: Dexter Gordon

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Handout
Other

Down Beat Magazine: Freddie Hubbard

For Students 9th - 10th
Highlighting the career of jazz trumpet player Freddie Hubbard, this site features a biography, pictures and a list of his recordings.
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Website
Other

Trombone Page of the World

For Students 9th - 10th
Need information on the trombone, trombonists, and jazz clubs? Then look no further than the "Trombone Page of the World." This colorful website is packed with information on trombone players and trombone entertainment.
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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Billie Holiday

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical details on jazz singer Billie Holiday, a 2000 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key life events, essential songs list, and recommended reading.
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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.
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Article
Scott Alexander

Weldon "Jack" Teagarden (1905 1964)

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biography with links to related topics, filmography, and a short bibliography are included in this Red Hot Jazz Archive.
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Handout
Tennessee History For Kids

Tennessee History for Kids: Bessie Smith

For Students 3rd - 8th
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...
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Handout
Other

Down Beat Magazine: Billie Holiday

For Students 9th - 10th
Jazz singer Billie Holiday is featured on this Down Beat website with a biography, pictures and a discography of her recording career.
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Website
Other

Benny Goodman: The Official Website of the King of Swing

For Students 9th - 10th
Read comprehensive biographical information about Benny Goodman, including achievements, discography, and facts about his life and career as a jazz musician.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Learning Through the Duke

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Describe the life of Duke Ellington and his contributions to the field of jazz, write an original poem using a variety of popular vocabulary from the 1920's and respond to Ellington's composition "Mood Indigo" by creating a painting.
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Primary
Blackdog Media

Classic Reader: Mr. Icky by F. Scott Fitzgerald

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the full text of the one-act play Mr. Icky by F. Scott Fitzgerald, itis printed in his larger work The Tales of the Jazz Age.
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Article
New York Times

New York Times: On This Day: Benny Goodman, King of Swing

For Students 9th - 10th
Access an article in the "New York Times" from June 14, 1986, announcing the death of jazz musician, Benny Goodman.
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Handout
PBS

Pbs American Masters: Benny Goodman

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about jazz clarinet player and big band leader Benny Goodman. This site features major highlights of his career.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: American Masters: Billie Holiday

For Students 9th - 10th
Jazz vocalist Billie Holiday is considered to be the best of all time. Read more about her life on this PBS American Masters site.
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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.
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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.
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Article
Other

Voice of America: American History: 1920s Were a Big Time for the Arts

For Students 9th - 10th
Voice of America offers an article about the arts in the Jazz Age including information about authors who wrote to protest what they saw happening in society. Read this article or listen to the narration of it.
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Article
OpenStax

Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Listening to Ragtime

For Students 9th - 10th
An excellent resource explaining the details that characterize ragtime music. From the rhythms to the typical form, this site gives a great overview of this early style of jazz.
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Primary
NPR: National Public Radio

Npr: August Wilson, Writing to the Blues

For Students 9th - 10th
An interview with playwright August Wilson about the people who most influence his writing. He includes Amiri Baraka, Jorge Luis Borges, and Romare Bearden, and most especially, blues singer Bessie Smith. In addition to the interview,...
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Famous African Americans Duke Ellington

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage contains biographical information about the famous jazz composter, Duke Ellington. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and...

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