Final answer:
The primary patrons of the Cotton Club were wealthy white people, while African American performers such as Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday played a significant role. However, African American residents of Harlem had reservations about the club and influx of white patrons due to racial segregation and stereotypes within the club.
Step-by-step explanation:
Primary Patrons of the Cotton Club:
During its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s, the primary patrons of the Cotton Club were wealthy white people, including famous celebrities, socialites, and gangsters. The club catered to a predominantly white audience and was located in a predominantly black neighborhood, Harlem.
Performers at the Cotton Club:
The Cotton Club featured many talented African American performers who became legends in their own right, including Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Lena Horne, and Billie Holiday. These artists played a crucial role in elevating the reputation and popularity of the club.
Harlem's Discontent:
African American residents of Harlem, while acknowledging the significant impact of the Cotton Club in terms of providing opportunities for African American performers, had mixed feelings about the club and the influx of white patrons to the area’s nightclubs. They felt that despite the talent on display, the predominant presence of white patrons and the segregation within the club reinforced racial stereotypes and perpetuated a racist power dynamic.
Overall, the Cotton Club had prominent white patrons and featured iconic African American performers. However, the African American residents of Harlem had reservations about the club due to its reinforcement of racial segregation and perpetuation of racial stereotypes within the club's environment.
Learn more about Cotton Club and its impact on African American residents of Harlem