Welcome to February! The month where all things love, winter (snow seems to fall a bit extra in Cleveland), and Black History month converge! While I strive to incorporate Valentine’s Day and weather-related activities in with my student’s learning, February presents a unique opportunity to celebrate artists and music styles in a very specific and pointed way.
Although my students play and listen to music by African-American musicians, I also want them to have a picture of who theses musicians were/are as people too.
And that’s where learning through literacy comes in!
Below I’ve shared a huge list of books that will open your students up to learning about the lives of the people behind the music. You will find that whether in group settings or individual lessons, students will enjoy this colorful, artistic, and creative approach to learning something new. And reading together is a fantastic way to build relationships with your students and keep them actively engaged in the learning process 🙂 A win – win all the way around!
This year as we celebrate Black History Month, let’s commit to giving our students a well-rounded experience as they play and perform, listen to, and read about the music of these incredible musicians!
The Story of Scott Joplin
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Aretha Franklin
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Bob Marley
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The story of trombonist Troy Andrews
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A Children’s Anthem
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A brilliant break down of how jazz works
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Duke Ellington
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A celebration of music, food, and family
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Guitar Legend Jimi Hendrix
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Ella Fitzgerald
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Dedication, music, and family can overcome our obstacles
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Louis Armstrong
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The story of a trailblazing musician and unsung hero of jazz
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The inspiring story of Florence Mills
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Ella’s story
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The man who introduced the world to jazz
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Aretha Franklin
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The first black woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer
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An A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits
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Blues Legend Muddy waters
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Marian Anderson: Drawing massive mixed crowds in the pre-civil rights era.
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Nina Simone
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A jazzy nutcracker rendition
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A Charlie Parker board book
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Hardin Armstrong: legendary jazz pianist, composer and bandleader
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The Story of Ray Charles’ life
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The Father of Gospel Music
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The childhood of John Coltrane
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A band in the early 1900s that began at school and ended traveling the world performing and chipping away at racial barriers.
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The childhood and early career of Miles Davis
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Stevie Wonder
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The story of a song that paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement.
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Aretha Franklin’s inspiring story
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40 inspiring black musicians
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Ella Fitzgerald
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Hearing rhythm in everyday life
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Sonny Rollins and his inspired practice spot
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History of Rap Music
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One of the most celebrated American Folk Musicians of All Time
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African – American Opera Star Leontyne Price
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The Story of Dizzy Gillespie
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Learning to experience sound all around us
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Aretha Franklin
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Celebrating the Black National Anthem
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Nina Simone
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Ella Fitzgerald’s Friendship With Marilyn Monroe
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Piano Possibilities 