The Cotton Club: The hottest night club of the 20's

Ever wonder what night life was like in the 1920's in New York?  The Cotton Club was night life during this time period. And no, you won't need a needle and thread, but maybe a pair of dancing shoes!

The Cotton Club was a night club in the heart of Harlem, NY that featured jazz music from various artists.  The Cotton Club opened in 1920, by heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Johnson, who at the time named the club, "Club De Luxe."It wasn't until 1923 when gangster, Owney Madden, took over the club, and renamed it "The Cotton Club" for what it is still known as today.

The Cotton Club was strictly white clientele.  Guests at the club were from the upper class of New York City.  Although the club excluded all but white guests, most of the entertainers and staff were of African American decent.

The performers of the club were of a wide variety, from Louis Armstrong, to Fats Waller, Jimmy Durante and many more.  Duke Ellington was also a big performer at the Cotton Club.  He led a band of comedians, singers, and dancers from 1927 to 1930 that performed often at the club.  The Cotton Club and Ellington's orchestra became so popular, that they began to receive national recognition on radio stations for their talents.  Below you will find a few recordings from Duke's selection at The Cotton Club in the late 20's.

  
The Cotton Club was forced to close its doors in 1935 due to race riots, and reopened in late 1936.  It then had to close its doors for good, due to demand by land lords of the Cotton Club to pay a higher rent.  The music and legends that got their start at the Cotton Club will never be forgotten.  


Cotton Club. Photograph.


"The Cotton Club of Harlem." Black Past. Web. <http://www.blackpast.org/?q=aah/cotton-club-harlem-1923>.


Youtube. Web. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zU_Y3B-6WA&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLE2FC7F8283D7C370>.


"Duke Ellington and His Cotton Club Orchestra." Red Hot Jazz. Web. <http://www.redhotjazz.com/dukecco.html>.