Introduction

Who are the great jazz musicians of our time? What is jazz music? Where did it come from? Why don’t I hear it on the radio?

Jazz is one of America's original music styles. In this webquest you are going to explore the different places jazz was played, and discover the people that created it.

The Task

To begin your journey into jazz music, you and your group will choose a jazz musician. You will learn about them and the music and instruments they play and report these findings back to the class.

Resources

Visit the following web sites to find out more about jazz musicians and jazz music and to answer the questions on your worksheet.

http://www.jass.com/

http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_goodman_benny.htm

http://www.pbs.org/jazz/

http://www.pbs.org/jazz/about/about_behind_the_scenes5.htm

http://www.pbs.org/jazz/time/time_women.htm

http://www.pbs.org/jazz/time/ - good site

http://www.pbs.org/jazz/kids/

http://www.wnur.org/jazz/styles/

http://lcweb.loc.gov/exhibits/african/intro.html

The Process

There will be two people in your group.

In Part I of the assignment you will search the Internet sites given to choose a musician to investigate. Decide which musician to research for your final presentation to the class.

Part II: Answer the questions about your musician and record them on the work sheet.

Part III: Answer these general questions about jazz music. We will then compare your answers with those of the rest of your classmates.

Conclusion:

By the end of this lesson, you should know where Jazz Music came from, some characteristics about this music and several jazz musicians, both past and present.

Worksheet for WebQuest about Jazz Music

Group member names: Date:

1. Class:

I. Choose a jazz musician from the past or present that you want to research.

Look at the following web sites for help:

http://www.pbs.org/jazz/kids/nowthen/then-greats.html

http://www.pbs.org/jazz/

http://www.jass.com/

II. Once you have chosen your musician, answer the following questions.

1. Where was he or she born?

2. What instrument does/did he/she play?

3. Is he or she still living?

4. Was he or she also a composer and, if so, name a piece that they composed?

5. What do you find the most interesting about the jazz musician you have chosen.

III. Answer the following general questions about jazz music by searching on the sites listed under “resources”.

1. Name three instruments played in jazz music.

2. Where did jazz music begin.

3. Name three cities important to jazz music.

4. Name three prominent female jazz artists and the instruments they played.