Which musician made a significant impact at the Cotton Club in New York and gained international fame?

The musician who made a significant impact at the Cotton Club in New York and gained international fame is Duke Ellington. He was a prominent figure in the jazz scene during the 1920s and 1930s and played a crucial role in elevating the genre. Ellington's time at the Cotton Club allowed him to expand his audience and showcase his innovative compositions and arrangements, which blended various musical styles.

The Cotton Club, known for its role in the Harlem Renaissance, served as a platform for some of the most talented African American musicians of the time, yet it only allowed white patrons. Ellington's performances at this venue greatly enhanced his reputation and helped to bring jazz music to a broader audience, both nationally and internationally. His unique style and contributions to the genre were pivotal in shaping the direction of jazz music, making him a central figure in its history.

While Count Basie, Jelly Roll Morton, and Louis Armstrong were also significant figures in jazz, their careers and achievements don’t align as closely with the Cotton Club's impact and the international fame that Ellington achieved during his tenure there. Each of these artists contributed to jazz in remarkable ways, but Duke Ellington's accomplishments at the Cotton Club were particularly transformative for his career and for the