History Explorer Results (10)
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):
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
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
Resource Type(s):
Artifacts, Primary Sources
On a Sunday morning in December 1941, a chaplain had his most difficult assignment — to say a prayer to sailors aboard a U.S. navy ship actively under low–flying attack by the enemy firing from all directions. He quickly realized the best he could do was walk the ammunition line saying, “Pr
Resource Type(s):
Reviewed Websites
This website, from the Library of Congress, was designed especially with young people in mind, but there are great stories and information for people of all ages. Through the use of short essays, biographies, interactive games and activities, students can explore every era of American histo
Reading Level:
Early Elementary School
An illustrated picture book of Ella Fitzgerald’s rendition of the nursery rhyme. Cut paper, mixed media and computer techniques form the city-scape backgrounds.
Reading Level:
Late Elementary School,Middle School
Get to know Aaron Copland, great American composer of the 20th-century in this richly illustrated biography.
Reading Level:
Early Elementary School,Late Elementary School
Take a peek behind the scenes of one of America's modern masterpieces: Appalachian Spring. This book tells the story of the three artists who collaborated to create it.
Author:
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Reading Level:
Late Elementary School,Early Elementary School
A brief picture book on the career of this jazz musician and composer who, along with his orchestra, created music that was beyond category.
Reading Level:
Late Elementary School,Middle School,High School
An overview of jazz from its African origins through to hip-hop. Each two-page section includes a prose poem, a historical timeline, and a painting.
Reading Level:
High School
A compilation of stories, interviews, biographies, and other sources and organized them by general topics (importance of a good nickname, stage fright, etc).
Author:
Carole Boston Weatherford
Reading Level:
Pre-School,Early Elementary School
Young children tap their feet, clap the beat, and are introduced to the rhythm of jazz as they read or listen to this story told in rhyme.
Reading Level:
High School
A look at how jazz is history and its history key to the development of American culture since the early 1900s, and the role of the arts in history.
Reading Level:
Early Elementary School
A story of Miles Davis as a teenager searching for Charlie Parker in New York City.
Reading Level:
Late Elementary School,Middle School,High School
This biography follows the career and life of Miles Davis:from his childhood to adulthood and his musical growth along the way.