Background Sources
Online encyclopedias are a good starting point for information on musicians and musical styles, as well as historical context.
- Encyclopedia of the Blues (edited by Edward Komara and Peter Lee), 2005Covers not only the performers, but also musical styles, instruments, regions, record labels and cultural aspects of the blues, including race and gender issues.
- EBooks (Gale) This link opens in a new windowCross-searches many encyclopedias, including Contemporary Musicians and Contemporary Black Biography.
- Credo Reference This link opens in a new windowAnother cross-searchable collection of encyclopedia and reference books.
- Garland Encyclopedia of World Music OnlineOnline reference resource for research in ethnomusicology. Each volume contains an overview of a region, a survey of its musical heritage, traditions and themes; and a description of specific musical genres, practices, and performances. Articles include detailed photographs that show musicians, musical instrument, and the cultural context of dances, rituals, and ceremonies. Links are provided to the associated audio examples for each volume.
- Oxford Music Online This link opens in a new windowSearches several music encyclopedias, including the New Grove Dictionary of Jazz.
- Encyclopedia of ChicagoPhotographs, biographies, essays, art, music, maps and documents on all things Chicago.
Access note: Freely available to the public.
