cab calloway

Biography

Cabell "Cab" Calloway III (December 25, 1907 – November 18, 1994) was an American jazz singer, songwriter, and bandleader whose exuberant style and mastery of scat singing made him one of the most celebrated entertainers of the swing era. Born in Rochester, New York, and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Calloway initially pursued law studies in Chicago but was drawn to music, performing in local clubs and eventually leading his own band, the Alabamians. His early exposure to jazz and vaudeville, combined with mentorship from Louis Armstrong, helped shape his distinctive musical approach.

Calloway's career accelerated after he moved to New York in 1929, where he became a regular performer at Harlem's famed Cotton Club. Leading Cab Calloway and his Orchestra, he achieved national fame with the 1931 hit "Minnie the Moocher," notable for its infectious call-and-response "hi-de-hi-de-ho" chorus. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Calloway's band featured some of the era's top jazz musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie and Ben Webster, and toured extensively in the U.S. and abroad. His energetic performances, flamboyant stage presence, and innovative blending of jazz, blues, and vaudeville made him a star attraction.

Calloway's influence extended beyond music into film, radio, and literature. He appeared in movies such as "Stormy Weather" (1943) and "The Blues Brothers" (1980), and authored "The New Cab Calloway's Hepster's Dictionary" (1944), which documented jazz slang. He was the first African-American to host a nationally syndicated radio program and received numerous honors, including the National Medal of Arts and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His legacy endures through his recordings, signature style, and the generations of musicians he inspired.

Fun Facts

• Calloway improvised the famous 'hi-de-hi-de-ho' chorus in 'Minnie the Moocher' when he forgot the lyrics during a live performance.
• He authored 'The New Cab Calloway's Hepster's Dictionary' in 1944, one of the first books to document jazz slang.
• Calloway was the first African-American to host a nationally syndicated radio program.
• He turned down an opportunity to play basketball for the Harlem Globetrotters to pursue his music career.

Associated Acts

• The Missourians (1929–1930)
• Cab Calloway and His Orchestra - eponymous, original
• Cab Calloway and His Cab Jivers - eponymous, original
• Cab Calloway and His Cotton Club Orchestra - eponymous, original
• Cab Calloway and His Cabaliers - eponymous, original

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Louis Armstrong - Taught Calloway the art of scat singing and influenced his vocal style. (Live performances and informal lessons at Chicago's Sunset Club.) [Late 1920s]
• Blanche Calloway - Older sister and accomplished bandleader who inspired Cab to enter show business. (Touring together in 'Plantation Days' revue.)

Key Collaborators

• Dizzy Gillespie - Trumpeter in Calloway's orchestra; later became a jazz legend. (Cab Calloway Orchestra performances and recordings.) [Early 1940s]
• Ben Webster - Tenor saxophonist in Calloway's band. (Cab Calloway Orchestra.) [1930s–1940s]
• Leon "Chu" Berry - Saxophonist and key member of Calloway's band. (Cab Calloway Orchestra.) [1930s–1940s]
• Cozy Cole - Drummer in Calloway's orchestra. (Cab Calloway Orchestra.) [1930s–1940s]
• Milt Hinton - Bassist in Calloway's band. (Cab Calloway Orchestra.) [1930s–1940s]

Artists Influenced

• Dizzy Gillespie - Gillespie developed his early career in Calloway's band before pioneering bebop. (Later works in bebop and modern jazz.) [1940s onward]
• Betty Boop (animated character) - Calloway's dance moves and persona inspired the character's animation in several cartoons. (Cartoons such as 'Minnie the Moocher' (1932).) [1930s]
• Contemporary jazz and swing musicians - Calloway's energetic style, scat singing, and showmanship influenced generations of performers. (Various artists and bands citing Calloway as inspiration.) [1940s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Minnie the Moocher
2. Minnie the Moocher (Theme Song)
3. St. James Infirmary
4. St. James' Infirmary (The Early Years 1930-1934 - CD A)
5. Jumpin Jive
6. Everybody Eats When They Come To My House
7. St James' Infirmary
8. Minnie the Moocher
9. Jumpin' Jive - Electro Swing Remix
10. Minnie the Moocher

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #2008-universal-fire-victim, #american, #big-band