A Night At The Cotton Club
The Cotton Club took place on May 6th, 2023.
On May 6th, 2023 we invited our community to come dressed in their best to celebrate the legacy of Paul Knauls and the Cotton Club.
Soul food. Comedy. Live Music. Dancing. And a story or two from the Mayor of Northeast Portland, Paul Knauls.
Paul Knauls, originally from Arkansas, arrived in Portland in the 1960s and owned several businesses on and around North Williams Avenue. The most well-known was the Cotton Club, a jazz bar named after the famous nightspot in New York. The Cotton Club received national recognition for hosting the likes of Etta James, Big Mama Thornton, and Sammy Davis Jr to name a few. It was truly the center of Black nightlife in the city.
Produced by Vin Shambry and Matthew Kerrigan
General admission includes soul food and one drink ticket
VIP tickets include soul food, two drink tickets, and a swag bag.
Live Music by "Cotton Club All-Stars"
Tony Ozier, Bandleader
Arietta Ward & Nafisaria Matthews, Vocals
Tyrone Hendrix, Drums
Ben Turner, Keys
TJ, Guitar
Leon Anderson
Eric Simons
**Special thanks to Calvin Walker, Bobby Smith, & Albina Music Trust**