Juvie Biography: performingarts

A boy discovers his passion for dance and becomes a modern hero in this inspiring picture book biography of Robert Battle, artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Describes the life of the modern dancer who created a spontaneous, free-form dance style accompanied by literary readings and non-dance music.

Domplete with short biographies of Pavlova and Degas, this book will delight any child with ballerina dreams.

Born in 1925, Maria Tallchief spent part of her childhood on an Osage reservation in Oklahoma. With the support of her family and world-renowned choreographer George Balanchine, she rose to the top of her art form to become America's first prima ballerina.

Perfect for newly independent readers--the amazing true story of Michaela DePrince, one of America's top ballerinas. At the age of three, Michaela DePrince found a photo of a ballerina that changed her life. She was living in an orphanage in Sierra Leone at the time, but was soon adopted by a family and brought to America. Michaela never forgot the photo of the dancer she once saw, and quickly decided to make her dream of becoming a ballerina come true.

Hailing from New Orleans, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews got his nickname by wielding a trombone twice as long as he was high. A prodigy, he was leading his own band by age six, and today this Grammy-nominated artist headlines the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest.

Louis Armstrong has been called the most important improviser in the history of jazz. Here is a joyful tribute to the virtuoso musician and buoyant personality who introduced much of the world to jazz.

"Count Basie" became one of the most important and influential jazz musicians of the twentieth century. Follow his exciting life and career and discover how the Count changed jazz in this entertaining biography of an American music legend.

The father of free jazz, Coleman believes in the art of the improvisers Coleman champions the power of instruments, more than just a song, to create a spontaneous conversation in music that speaks of human feelings.

The award-winning author/illustrator team of Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney--creators of the popular picture book Alvin Ailey--present a swinging, vibrant picture title about the jazz composer Edward Kennedy Ellington, better known as Duke.

Jimi Hendrix was many things: a superstar, a rebel, a hero, an innovator. But first, he was a boy named Jimmy who loved to draw and paint and listen to records. A boy who played air guitar with a broomstick and longed for a real guitar of his own. A boy who asked himself a question: Could someone paint pictures with sound?

Ragtime was an immensely popular form of music in the United States prior to World War I. Scott Joplin's compositions from this period are still heard today.

Melba Doretta Liston loved the sounds of music from as far back as she could remember. Overcoming obstacles of race and gender, Melba went on to become a famed trombone player and arranger, spinning rhythms, harmonies, and melodies into gorgeous songs for all the jazz greats of the twentieth century

Charlie Parker rocketed to fame as the premier jazz saxophonist of the 1940s and 50s. He began his unparalleled rise to greatness in the world of jazz in Kansas City, Missouri, in the mid-1930s.

Canadian guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson is known mainly for his central role in the musical group the Band. But how did he become one ofRolling Stone's top 100 guitarists of all time? Written by his son, Sebastian, this is the story of a rock-and-roll legend's journey through music, beginning when he was taught to play guitar at nine years old on a Native American reservation.Rock and Roll Highway is the story of a young person's passion, drive, and determination to follow his dream.

Regardless of whether they've heard of jazz or Art Tatum, young readers will appreciate how Parker uses simple, lyrical storytelling and colorful, energetic ink-and-wash illustrations to show the world as young Art Tatum might have seen it. Tatum came from modest beginnings and was nearly blind, but his passion for the piano and his acute memory for any sound that he heard drove him to become a virtuoso who was revered by both classical and jazz pianists alike.

"A voice like yours," celebrated conductor Arturo Toscanini told contralto Marian Anderson, "is heard once in a hundred years." This insightful account of the great African American vocalist considers her life and musical career in the context of the history of civil rights in this country.

Meticulously researched by both author and artist, Josephine's powerful story of struggle and triumph is an inspiration and a spectacle, just like the legend herself.

The Beatles' look, sound, and musical approach influenced a generation and brought fame beyond the band's wildest dreams.

A stirring look at the early life of Johnny Cash, from his harsh but music-filled childhood to the first flush of stardom.

A swinging bio of young Ella Fitzgerald, who pushed through the toughest of times to become one of America's most beloved jazz singers.

Billie Holiday, also known as Lady Day, had fame, style, a stellar voice, big gardenias in her hair, and lots of dogs. But her favorite was a boxer named Mister. Mister was always there to bolster her courage through good times and bad, even before her legendary appearance at New York's Carnegie Hall.

Accompanied by John Holyfield's gorgeous illustrations, debut author Nina Nolan's narrative wonderfully captures the amazing story of how Mahalia Jackson became the Queen of Gospel in this fascinating picture book biography.

Born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958, Michael Jackson was definitely not a regular kid. A superstar with The Jackson 5 before he was eight years old, he became the King of Pop as a solo artist.

Born Stefani Germanotta in New York City, the girl with the powerful voice quickly became a powerhouse in the pop music industry. Growing up, Stefani was inspired by David Bowie, Elton John, Queen, and Madonna, artists known for their outrageous fashions and theatrical performances.

A picture book that shines light on the indomitable life of one of the most influential American folksingers in the history of our country.

Born in a little cabin in Tennessee, Dolly Parton always dreamed big, and she was right to! She wrote her first song at age five and became a country music star by the time she was in her early twenties.

On a whim, he recorded a song for his mom's birthday at Sun Record Studios as part of a customer promotion. The studio loved it so much that they sent it to local record stations . . . and the rest is history. Here is the story of how a poor kid from Tupelo, Mississippi, became an American legend.

While racism made it unlikely that a poor black girl from the South would pursue an opera career, Leontyne's wondrous voice and unconquerable spirit prevailed. Bursting through the door Marian Anderson had cracked open, Leontyne was soon recognized and celebrated for her leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera and around the world most notably as the majestic Ethiopian princess in Aida, the part she felt she was born to sing.

Colorful graphics, oversized photographs, and short, engaging sentences draw readers in to the fascinating life of rapper Park Jae-sang, better known as PSY, the creator of "Gangnam Style"! Readers will follow PSY's journey, from his youth in the Gangnam District of Seoul, South Korea, to his time at Boston University and Berklee College of Music, to his thriving career in the K-pop industry.

Step right up! Meet the astounding . . . the amazing . . . P. T. Barnum! Known far and wide for his jumbo elephants, midgets, and three-ring circuses, here' s a complete and captivating look at the man behind the Greatest Show on Earth.

See him? That little tramp twitching a postage stamp of a mustache, politely lifting his bowler hat, and leaning on a bamboo cane with the confidence of a gentleman? A slapstick comedian, he blazed forth as the brightest movie star in the Hollywood heavens.

James Dean was a complicated young actor: talented, but withdrawn; brilliant, but uncooperative. With a gift for being able to completely become the character he was playing, Dean struggled to be recognized, and he did it by his own rules. Finally, this rebel arrived in Hollywood and made three classic films before a car accident ended his life.

This illustrated biography of Harry Houdini combines original artwork and archival artifacts--including photographs, playbills and posters, letters, and even some of Houdini's own stage props--to bring the story of the world's greatest escape artist to life. Readers will learn all about Houdini's unique rags-to-riches story, from his birth in a Hungarian ghetto to his death from a ruptured appendix at age fifty-two.

A moving biography of the late Leonard Nimoy, the iconic Spock from Star Trek, whose story exemplifies the American experience and the power of pursuing your dreams.

Traces the life of the movie actor who won an Academy Award in 1964 and became a symbol of the breakthrough of black performers in motion pictures.

When Chris Rock steps on stage, he destroys the targets of his jokes. When he finishes his performance, the audience needs time to catch its breath. The laughter never stops! Chris Rock pulls no punches. He is brutally honest and no subject--politics, racism, pop culture--is safe from his humor. From humble beginnings in New York City to his superstar career as a stand-up comedian and actor, author Marty Gitlin unleashes the story of comic genius Chris Rock.

The exciting life of Will Rogers -- noted actor, writer, humorist, and humanitarian.

When Charles S. Stratton was born in 1838, he was a large baby, perfect in every way. But then he stopped growing. At age four, though a happy and mischievous child, he was just over two feet tall and weighed only fifteen pounds. It was then that the notorious showman P.T. Barnum dubbed him Tom Thumb and put him on display, touring him around the world as a curiosity. A natural performer, Charley became enormously popular and wealthy, more so than any other performer before him.