Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Chick Webb
Features a biographical sketch of Chick Webb, black American jazz drummer who led one of the dominant big bands of the swing era.
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Dicky Wells
Biographical sketch of Dicky Wells, leading black American jazz trombonist noted, especially in the big band era, for his melodic creativity and expressive techniques.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Art Tatum
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Art Tatum, a blind, self-taught American pianist, considered one of the greatest technical virtuosos in jazz.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Bennie Moten
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Bennie Moten, a U.S. pianist, one of the earliest known organizers of bands in the Midwest in the emergent years of jazz.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Ben Webster
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Ben Webster, an American jazz musician, considered one of the most distinctive of his generation, noted for the beauty of his tenor saxophone tone and for his melodic inventiveness.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Billy Eckstine
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Billy Eckstine, an American singer and bandleader who achieved great personal success while fostering the careers of a number of younger jazz musicians.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Bud Powell
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Bud Powell, an American jazz pianist who emerged in the mid-1940s as one of the first pianists to play lines originally conceived by bebop horn players.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Hank Jones
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Hank Jones, an American jazz musician born July/Aug. 31, 1918, Vicksburg, Miss. .
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Lionel Hampton
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Lionel Hampton, an American jazz musician and bandleader, known for the rhythmic vitality of his playing and his showmanship as a performer. Best known for his work on the vibraphone,...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Billie Holiday Was Born
Billie Holiday is one of the most well-known blues singers of all time. Visit this Library of Congress site for more about her early years and some great photographs.
Other
The Duke Ellington Society
The Duke Ellington Society maintains this wealth of information on Duke Ellington and his works including news, information on the singers who worked with him, audio clips, and links to other Ellington sites.
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Johnny Mathis
A biography of singer Johnny Mathis, an inductee into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Includes a profile, videos, and a photo gallery.
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Cole Porter
Cole Porter is discussed in this brief biography. It touches on the highlights of his life and career.
Other
Famous Singers
Biographical profiles of famous singers in major musical genres. Includes photo and links to snippets of their songs.
Songwriters Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame: Duke Ellington
This resource provides information about Duke Ellington.
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.
Library of Congress
Loc: The Gershwin Legacy: George and Ira Gershwin
With their famous music and lyrics, the Library of Congress presents an in depth exhibit of primary source materials from the Gershwin brothers.
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.
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...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Mary Lou Williams
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...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: James P. Johnson
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features James P. Johnson, a highly influential black American jazz pianist who also wrote popular songs and composed classical works. A founder of the stride piano idiom, he was a crucial figure...
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...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Wayne Shorter
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Wayne Shorter, an African-American musician and composer, a major jazz saxophonist, among the most influential hard-bop and modal musicians and a pioneer of jazz-rock fusion music.