Music and Racial Dynamics in the Cotton Club

Joaquín Rodrigo was born in 1901 in Valencia, Spain, the youngest of 10 children.

Rodrigo became blind at age three due to contracting diphtheria.

Rodrigo's most well-known composition is the Concierto de Aranjuez, a concerto for guitar and orchestra.

Rodrigo's music incorporated elements of Spanish history, poetry, and music into his compositions.

Joaquín Rodrigo was a composer who specialized in writing for the guitar, even though he never played the instrument himself.

The Cotton Club was a famous nightclub in Harlem, New York City, which initially had a strict whites-only policy. However, Duke Ellington's popularity and talent led to a slight relaxation of this policy, allowing him to break down racial barriers and bring his music to a wider audience.

Duke Ellington composed over 1,500 songs, wrote music for films, and created extended jazz suites. He is considered one of the most prolific and influential jazz composers of the 20th century.

During the Jazz Age, Duke Ellington used his music to make political statements and protest against racial discrimination in the United States. His music often reflected the struggles and experiences of African Americans during this period.

Syncopation is a musical technique where stressed beats are placed in unexpected places, creating a rhythmic feel that is essential to jazz music. It gives jazz its distinctive sound.

Swing is a popular type of jazz characterized by its energetic rhythm and groovy feel, typically played by big bands using brass instruments and a strong backbeat. It inspired dancing and was a defining sound of the 1930s.