The Internet can be a very valuable research tool and a vehicle for connecting with others doing similar research. Be aware that not all sites are reputable. It is important to evaluate Web resources for authenticity. Take a look at the following guide for assistance.
Some of the sites listed here also provide access to audio files. Additional sites featuring audio and video files are listed under the Music media tab.
African America Art Song Alliance
African American Film Composers
Black Music Research: Definition of Styles and Genres
Black Past
Search for individuals, music genre [opera, hip-hop, etc.], or music as a general topic.
Black Past: Online Encyclopedia of Significant People and Places in African American History
Use the alphabetical listing to find information on individual persons.
Brown University Library Center for Digital Initiatives: African American Sheet Music
Celebrating African-Americans in Folk Music
Also contains links to Jazz, Blues, and Hip-Hop music history.
Digital Schomburg Images of 19th Century African Americans
Search the collection using the keyword 'music' to find selected images.
Library of Congress: African-American Band Music & Recordings, 1883-1923
New York Public Library Digital Collections: African American Composers
Red Hot Jazz Archive (Archive from a snapshot saved in Archive.org’s Wayback Machine)
Access information by following the links provided in the page footer to bands, musicians, etc. Additional links may appear within each article. NOTE: Audio files require the Real Audio Player Plug-in for playback.