History/Jazz Timeline
Jazz exploded into existence around the turn of the 20th century, and it has shot through the decades as an ever-changing and controversial art form. Straddling the line that separates popular music from art music, innovations of jazz masters have consistently rattled critics and audiences. Learn about the origins of this vivacious music, including major events and landmark recordings.
Jazz and the Civil Rights Movement
A profile of civil rights in jazz. How jazz musicians spoke out for racial equality and social justice.
A profile of civil rights in jazz. How jazz musicians spoke out for racial equality and social justice.
Ten Swing Era Musicians
Below are ten musicians from the swing era, the days of jazz when dance halls were packed to hear and dance to the best big bands from around the country. Although swing was popular music, artists such as the ones listed developed styles that influenced later musicians, into bebop and beyond, setting the stage for jazz to become the valued art form it is today.
Below are ten musicians from the swing era, the days of jazz when dance halls were packed to hear and dance to the best big bands from around the country. Although swing was popular music, artists such as the ones listed developed styles that influenced later musicians, into bebop and beyond, setting the stage for jazz to become the valued art form it is today.
Ten Early Jazz Musicians
Listed below are ten of the most important musicians of early jazz. In the beginning of the 1900s, the innovations of these instrumentalists laid the groundwork for jazz to evolve into the vibrant art form it is today.
Listed below are ten of the most important musicians of early jazz. In the beginning of the 1900s, the innovations of these instrumentalists laid the groundwork for jazz to evolve into the vibrant art form it is today.
Five Legends of Latin Jazz
Combining the propulsive rhythms and spirited melodies of Latin music with jazz harmonies and improvisation, these musicians helped forge a genre that continues to thrive and expand. Below are short profiles of five of the most important contributors to the development of Latin jazz.
Combining the propulsive rhythms and spirited melodies of Latin music with jazz harmonies and improvisation, these musicians helped forge a genre that continues to thrive and expand. Below are short profiles of five of the most important contributors to the development of Latin jazz.
Ten Bebop Musicians
Bebop was characterized by its focus on improvisation. Borrowing from swing, and rooted in the blues, bebop is the foundation on which modern jazz was built. These ten musicians are responsible for bebop's creation and development.
Bebop was characterized by its focus on improvisation. Borrowing from swing, and rooted in the blues, bebop is the foundation on which modern jazz was built. These ten musicians are responsible for bebop's creation and development.
Important Firsts
This Jazz in America page details groundbreaking historic events in the history of jazz.
This Jazz in America page details groundbreaking historic events in the history of jazz.
Jazz Timeline
Jazz in America is a site devoted to jazz education. This links directly to a timeline highlighting important events in the development of jazz.
Jazz in America is a site devoted to jazz education. This links directly to a timeline highlighting important events in the development of jazz.
Harlem, 1958 - Jazz History Through One Photograph
At ten o'clock one August morning in 1958, photographer Art Kane managed to round up 57 of the most notable jazz musicians in New York for a picture that would become legendary. This site contains biographical and historical information about each of the musicians featured in the famous photograph.
At ten o'clock one August morning in 1958, photographer Art Kane managed to round up 57 of the most notable jazz musicians in New York for a picture that would become legendary. This site contains biographical and historical information about each of the musicians featured in the famous photograph.
Jazz - PBS Kids
This interactive site is designed to give children an overview and introduction to jazz. It features a timeline, video interviews with jazz musicians, and a jazz game and quiz.
This interactive site is designed to give children an overview and introduction to jazz. It features a timeline, video interviews with jazz musicians, and a jazz game and quiz.