Duke Ellington and the Cotton Club

In late 1927, the Cotton Club began broadcasting through radio, providing Duke Ellington with the opportunity of being the first black band leader to have nationwide reach, in turn catapulting him to a new level of fame.

Watch the video above, answer the discussion questions provided, and encourage students to conduct a mini-research extension, as they analyze the impact that radio had on Duke Ellington as a Black artist, the Jazz music genre, and the negative implications that language can have when referring to music genres and their artists. 

Teachers Note: Please take some time to read the Teacher’s Guide before implementing this lesson in your classroom.