The Cotton Club: A Historical Overview

The Cotton Club, a legendary Harlem nightclub, rose to fame in the 1920s. Initially opened by Jack Johnson, it was later owned by bootlegger Owney Madden, who used it to sell high-priced alcohol to a wealthy, white clientele. Despite its exclusive patrons, the club featured African American performers, including Duke Ellington, who gained national fame through radio broadcasts. Performers were well-paid but faced strict segregation. The club moved in 1936 and closed in 1940 due to tax issues and changing public tastes.

Who originally opened the Cotton Club in 1920?

• Owney Madden

• Jack Johnson

• Duke Ellington

• Al Jolson

Who was the notorious bootlegger that owned the Cotton Club?

• Bugsy Siegel

• Al Capone

• Lucky Luciano

• Owney Madden

What was the primary reason for the Cotton Club's exclusivity?

• It was located in a remote area

• It was a 'whites-only' establishment

• It had a high entry fee

• It required a membership

Which of the following was NOT a performer at the Cotton Club?

• Lena Horne

• Billie Holliday

• George Gershwin

• Sammy Davis Jr.

Which famous band leader became a star at the Cotton Club?

• Louis Armstrong

• Count Basie

• Duke Ellington

• Fats Waller

What was the name of the Cotton Club's famous musical revues?

• Broadway Beats

• Jazz Jubilee

• The Cotton Club Parade

• Harlem Nights

What was a restriction placed on performers at the Cotton Club?

• They had to pay for their own costumes

• They were not allowed to mingle with guests

• They could not perform original music

• They could not perform more than once a night

Where did performers relax after their shows at the Cotton Club?

• In their dressing rooms

• In a local cafe

• In a nearby basement

• In the club's lounge

In what year did the Cotton Club close its doors permanently?

• 1936

• 1940

• 1929

• 1933

What led to the closure of the Cotton Club?

• The owner was arrested

• A decline in performer quality

• A fire destroyed the building

• Tax evasion allegations and changing public tastes