Composers & Musicians

Taking the Stage as the First Black and White Jazz Band in History by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illus, by James Ransome.

by Jonah Winter, illus. by Keith Mallett.  Visit New Orleans and discover in rhyme and jazzy, colorful art the story of this jazz legend. 

The Story of the Rock and Roll King by Bonnie Christensen.

The Sound of Joy Is Enlightening. Chris Raschka's art imaginatively illustrates this colorful, uplifting life story of the famed jazz musician.  Discography, too.

by M.T. Anderson, illus. Petra Mathers.

by Charlotte Voake.  Jaunty bios for Gr. 4-8 with illustrations, anecdotes, period history and activities. 

Illustrated by Charlotte Voake and Remi Courgeon, narrated on CD by Michael Cantwell. An excellent all-in-one teaching package for elem.-middle school.

by Roxane Orgill, illus. by Francis Vallejo.  The story of Art Kane's famous photo of jazz greats.

by Charlotte Voake, narrated by Michael Cantwell.  An excellent all-in-one teaching package for elem.⁄middle school.

George Gershwin Creates Rhapsody in Blue
by Suzanne Slade, illus. by Stacy Innerst.

by Charlotte Voake.   Includes a CD with musical examples keyed to the text, photos and drawings, and suggested activities. 

by Lucy Warner, illus. by Patrick Ackerman.  Learn about 12 composers through action-hero illustrations and listening to their music on Vimeo.   

by Tom Leonard.  Bach saw patterns in everything, which he turned into melodies and song.  The evocative illustrations open a visual door into Bach's vivid imagination of patterns and memories.

by Nina Nolan, illus. by John Holyfield. People might say she was born with nothing. But little Mahalia had something: a voice bigger than she was.

by Anna Wentlent, Charles Grace & Mitch Wyatt. Ages 5-10 learn about composers of all periods with reproducible bios, fun facts, famous works, and pages to color while listening to masterworks.

Short Sessions on the Lives, Times & Music of the Great Jazz Legends by Ronald C. McCurdy, Ph.D.

Mike Venezia introduces ages 4-9 to composers with lighthearted cartoons, tales, and source illustrations. 

Mike Venezia introduces ages 4-9 to composers with lighthearted cartoons, tales and source illustrations. 

by Deborah Hopkinson,  illus. by Raul Colon.  The inspirational story about the creation of the Jubilee Singers-the most important black singing group of the 19th century.

By Anna Harwell Celenza, illus. by JoAnn E. Kitchel.  This is a charming story of how Haydn convinces the prince it is time to return home.