History Explorer Results (12)
Related Books (15)
Resource Type(s):
Interactives & Media
In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, Ken Kimery, executive director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, discusses the importance of the Jazz Oral History Project. Ken explains the history of the program and its importance, as well as gives some tips about how to cond
Resource Type(s):
Interactives & Media, Lessons & Activities
Explore jazz through listening activities, interviews with musicians, and background information on SmithsonianJazz.org. Prominently featured on this site are two suites of learning activities: one focusing on Duke Ellington for elementary students and one focusing on Louis Armstrong for middle a
Resource Type(s):
Reference Materials, Lessons & Activities
Children and adults can enjoy exploring the story behind one of America’s pioneers of jazz music, Duke Ellington, through children's literature, museum collections, and hands-on activities. Focused around Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra, a picture book biography of t
Resource Type(s):
Artifacts, Primary Sources
This upright transposing piano was made in 1940 by Weser Brothers, New York, for Irving Berlin (1888–1989). Like many Tin Pan Alley pianists, Berlin was self-taught, preferring to play on the black keys. “The key of C,” he once said, “is for people who study music”. The transposing mech
Resource Type(s):
Interactives & Media, Worksheets
In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, Ken Kimery, Executive Producer of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, discusses the career of jazz musician Mary Lou Williams and the value of studying jazz in American history. The teacher guide includes discussion questions an
Resource Type(s):
Artifacts, Primary Sources
1896 Pattern Medal of Honor awarded to Daniel Butterfield, “for distinguished gallantry in action at Gaines Mills, Va. June 27, 1862”
Perhaps best known as the composer of the bugle call "Taps," Daniel Butterfield began his Civil War service as a sergeant in the Washington, D.C
Resource Type(s):
Artifacts, Primary Sources
Seal with an equestrian portrait of George Washington, surrounded by a wreath composed of the principal agricultural products of the Confederacy including cotton, tobacco, sugar cane, wheat, and rice. Embossed around the edge, "The Confederate States of America: 22 February, 1862" and the motto D
Resource Type(s):
Reference Materials, Primary Sources, Interactives & Media
Through brief biographies of the composers, primary source documents, and media clips, students will learn about the collaboration of these two great jazz composers and the process involved in writing and recording two of the most celebrated jazz pieces. This website examines two jazz standa
Resource Type(s):
Artifacts, Primary Sources
The Battle of the Sewing Machines" was composed and arranged by F. Hyde for the piano, and was published in 1874 by Wm. A. Pond & Co. of 547 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y. The lithograph by R. Teller of 120 Wooster St., N.Y., N.Y., illustrates a "battle" of sewing machines. The Remington "army" is marc
Resource Type(s):
Artifacts, Primary Sources
This custom-made "Silver Flair" trumpet belonged to renowned trumpeter, bandleader, and composer John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie, a founder of the modern jazz style known as bebop. Renowned for his musical virtuosity and for his impish good humor and wit, Gillespie played this trumpet in the early 1
Reading Level:
Early Elementary School
Tells the story of Benny Goodman growing up in Chicago, and how his family helped him fufill his dream to play the clarinet.
Author:
Sherry Ayazi-Hashjin
Reading Level:
Middle School
The author traces rap and hip-hop back to African music roots (drumming and the griot) to America and the blues, spirituals, and jazz.
Author:
Sharon Bell Mathis
Reading Level:
Late Elementary School
This illustrated biography tells the story of Ray Charles from his childhood to age 4. It captures Ray’s feelings along his way to stardom.
Reading Level:
High School
Traces the history of the blues from its African roots through the 90s, with a focus on key artists ranging from Louis Armstrong to Muddy Waters and B.B. King.
Reading Level:
Early Elementary School
A fly, who speaks jazz, seeks directions to town from animals and insects who respond to him with their sounds. The fly uses these sounds to jazz up his band’s music.