St. Louis Cotton Club Band

In the 1920s, St. Louis was known for its vibrant music scene. The St. Louis Cotton Club Band was one of the many popular musical groups that made up the city’s rich music culture.This photograph was captured at the Block Brothers Studio, a photography business operated by St. Louis professional photographers Ephraim and Jacob Block from approximately 1915 to 1975. The elements of the photo—the sharp detail, the lighting, and the energized body language of the band members—combine to create an iconic image.

Object Title and Accession Number

St. Louis Cotton Club Band. Photograph by Block Brothers Photographic Studio, ca. 1925. N27534.

Black and white photograph of jazz musicians.

A vintage black-and-white photo shows a lively jazz band in action. Musicians play various instruments, including trumpet, clarinet, drums, and saxophone, each energetically engaging with one another. A woman stands on the right holding a saxophone.