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Handout
PBS

Pbs: Independent Lens: Life, Music, Photos of M. Hinton

For Students 9th - 10th
Jazz bassist Milt Hinton is also known for the many photographs he has taken of legendary musicians. This site by PBS provides a biography, music samples and some of the pictures taken by this talented man.
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Handout
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission

Explore Pa History: Dorsey Brothers

For Students 9th - 10th
A succinct biographical sketch that examines contributions to the jazz and swing eras by noted musicians, band leaders, and Pennsylvania natives, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: American Masters: Ray Charles

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS presents a biography of the "Father of soul," Ray Charles. He was an internationally famed musician, combining jazz, country, gospel, soul, and R&B in a way that was truly unique.
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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
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Duke Ellington

For Students 3rd - 5th
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.
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Website
Other

Southern Music

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a simple history of southern music from the 1900s to 1990, complete with in-text links to information on popular musicians and events related to country music. Included are dates for upcoming country music events, as well as a small...
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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.
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Handout
PBS

Classics for Kids: Scott Joplin

For Students 3rd - 8th
A short biography of Scott Joplin (1868-1917 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
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Website
Other

Famous Singers

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical profiles of famous singers in major musical genres. Includes photo and links to snippets of their songs.
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Article
Other

Down Beat Magazine: Ben Webster

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Handout
Songwriters Hall of Fame

Songwriters Hall of Fame: Billy Strayhorn

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information about Billy Strayhorn.
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Handout
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Archives Center: Duke Ellington: Biography

For Students 9th - 10th
A useful biographical note of Duke Ellington.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Eye Contact: Ornette Coleman

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Coleman Hawkins

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Coleman Hawkins, an American jazz musician whose improvisational mastery of the tenor saxophone, which had previously been viewed as little more than a novelty, helped establish it as one...
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Milt Jackson

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Milt Jackson, an African-American jazz musician, the first and most influential vibraphone improviser of the postwar, modern jazz era.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: American Masters: Cole Porter

For Students 9th - 10th
Cole Porter is discussed in this brief biography. It touches on the highlights of his life and career.
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Benny Carter

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Benny Carter, an American jazz musician, an original and influential alto saxophonist, who was also a masterly composer and arranger and an important bandleader, trumpeter, and clarinetist.
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Philly Joe Jones

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Philly Joe Jones, a black American jazz musician, one of the major percussionists of the bop era, and among the most recorded as well.
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Rex Stewart

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Rex Stewart, a black American jazz musician unique for playing the cornet, rather than the trumpet, in big bands as well as small groups throughout his career. His mastery of expressive...
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Sammy Price

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Sammy Price, an American pianist and bandleader, a jazz musician rooted in the old rhythm and blues and boogie-woogie traditions who had a long career as a soloist and accompanist.
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Sonny Stitt

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Sonny Stitt, a black American jazz musician, one of the first and most fluent bebop saxophonists.
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Wayman Lawrence Tisdale

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Wayman Lawrence Tisdale, an American basketball player and smooth jazz musician born June 9, 1964, Tulsa, Okla.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: Continental Harmony

For Students 3rd - 8th
PBS presents several activities and lesson plans that cover the concepts of identifying different forms of music, learning about musical imagery, writing in response to music, and creating lyrics. The Sound Lounge has many interactive...
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Website
Other

Nat King Cole Society: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides information about Nat King Cole, as well as a timeline of his life. Nat King Cole was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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