Duke Ellington, one of the most influential figures in American music, comes alive in this comprehensive biography with engaging activities. Ellington was an accomplished and influential jazz pianist, composer, band leader, and cultural diplomat. Activities include creating a ragtime rhythm, making a washtub bass, writing song lyrics, thinking like an arranger, and learning to dance the Lindy Hop. It explores Ellington’s life and career along with many topics related to African American history, including the Harlem Renaissance. Kids will learn about the musical evolution of jazz that coincided with Ellington’s long life from ragtime through the big band era on up to the 1970s. Kids learn how music technology has changed over the years from piano rolls to record albums through CDs, television, and portable music devices. The extensive resources include a time line, glossary, list of Ellington’s greatest recordings, related books, Web sites, and DVDs for further study. Grade 4–8—Preceded by a time line of personal and public events, this biography begins with a brief discussion of the lives of Ellington's parents and his childhood introduction to music and instruments. As each chapter introduces separate highlights of the man's life and musical growth, sidebar articles emphasize historical milestones in music (the Harlem Renaissance, Jazz Pioneers, Tin Pan Alley, etc.) and the impact of individuals or events on his life. The book also features 21 interactive activities, each of which is positioned to provide a greater understanding of an instrument, performance, or music theory in jazz style (e.g., writing the blues, an improvisation exercise, illustrating sheet music covers, or dancing the Lindy Hop). Illustrations and the boxed information break up the text-heavy pages while the activities range from those suiting younger readers (experimenting with sound effects, making a shaker) to the more complicated (learning to read drum notation). This account of Ellington's life story reveals his late introduction to music as a career possibility and lightly touches on his personal relationships and lack of education. Illustrations include performance photographs and portraits of notable names from the Big Band era. Bibliographic references, recommended recordings and films, and annotated Web sites complete this thorough look at Ellington's musical life and legacy.— Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. This large-format book combines an illustrated biography of  Duke Ellington with activities designed to offer insights into Ellington’s era and his music. The main text presents Ellington’s life in a straightforward account, concentrating on his career as a jazz musician, composer, and band leader. Meanwhile, the many sidebars discuss related topics such as turn-of-the-twentieth-century music technology (piano rolls and phonographs) and the U.S. State Department’s “jazz ambassadors” program during the Cold War. Appearing throughout the book, the activities mentioned in the subtitle vary from “Learn to Read Drum Notation” to “Make Corn Bread for a Rent Party” to “Write Lyrics to an Ellington Tune.” Some activities are illustrated with drawings of young children, an odd choice that might put off readers in their teens. The many black-and-white excellent photos show up well on the glossy pages. Appendixes include bibliographies and lists of recommended recordings, films, and Web sites. An informative account in an attractive paperback format. Grades 6-9. --Carolyn Phelan "The many black-and-white excellent photos show up well on the glossy pages . . . an informative account in an attractive paperback format."  —Booklist "Stein Crease delivers a closely written biography bespeaking her Ellington scholarship."  —Kirkus Reviews "[A] thorough look at Ellington's musical life and legacy." ―School Library Journal "Crease's wonderful book has earned the phrase Ellington reserved for his highest praise: It is beyond category." ―David Hadju, former president of the Duke Ellington Society and author, Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn "Fabulous read."  —Rutherford Parent, Nashville Parent and Williamson Parent "Accessible to today's youngsters." ―New Orleans Magazine "A great musical adventure" ―Education.com "A good book, and quite interesting . . . the activities are kid-friendly . . . this book will quickly become a favourite." ―syvjournal.com, Sunday Journal, and The Chicago Crusader Stephanie Stein Crease is the author of Gil Evans: Out of the Cool , winner of the ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award, and Music Lessons: Guide Your Child to Play a Musical Instrument . She edited the liner notes for the Grammy award–winning CD set Duke Ellington Centennial Edition . Used Book in Good Condition