Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

December 25, 1907 in Rochester, NY

Death

:

November 18, 1994 in Hockessin, DE

 

Cab Calloway was a renowned American jazz singer and bandleader, known for his energetic performances and unique style. He was born on December 25, 1907, in Rochester, New York, to parents who were both musicians. His father, Cabell Calloway II, was a lawyer and a singer, while his mother, Martha Eulalia Reed, was a teacher and a church organist. Calloway grew up in a musical household and began singing and playing the piano at a young age. He attended Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore, Maryland, where he formed his first band, the Alabamians. After graduating in 1925, he briefly attended Crane College in Chicago, but dropped out to pursue a career in music. Calloway's big break came in 1928, when he joined the band of bandleader and arranger, Duke Ellington. He quickly became a featured vocalist and began to develop his signature style, which included scat singing and energetic dance moves. In 1930, he left Ellington's band to form his own group, the Cab Calloway Orchestra. The Cab Calloway Orchestra quickly became one of the most popular bands of the 1930s, known for their lively performances and catchy tunes. Calloway's signature song, "Minnie the Moocher," became a hit in 1931 and remains one of his most famous recordings. The song features Calloway's scat singing and tells the story of a woman who "was a red-hot hoochie-coocher" and "had a heart as big as a whale." Calloway's success continued throughout the 1930s, with hits like "St. James Infirmary" and "The Hi-De-Ho Man." He also appeared in several films, including "The Big Broadcast" (1932) and "Stormy Weather" (1943). In 1941, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. During World War II, Calloway entertained troops overseas and continued to perform throughout the 1940s and 1950s. He also appeared on television, including a recurring role on the popular show, "The Ed Sullivan Show." In 1958, he appeared in the film "Porgy and Bess," alongside Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge. Calloway's career began to slow down in the 1960s, but he continued to perform and record music. In 1973, he appeared in the film "The Blues Brothers," alongside John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. He also wrote an autobiography, "Of Minnie the Moocher and Me," which was published in 1976. Calloway passed away on November 18, 1994, at the age of 86. He left behind a legacy as one of the most influential and innovative performers in jazz history. His unique style and energetic performances continue to inspire musicians and entertainers today.

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