Cab Calloway
Cabell "Cab" Calloway III, born on December 25, 1907, in Rochester, New York, was a renowned American jazz singer, songwriter, and bandleader celebrated for his high-energy performances and charismatic stage presence. Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, Calloway initially pursued law studies in Chicago but was drawn to music, particularly after learning scat singing from Louis Armstrong. He began his career in the late 1920s, eventually leading his own band, the Alabamians, before moving to New York City.
Calloway became a prominent figure in the jazz and swing music scene as a regular performer at Harlem's Cotton Club, where he led one of the most popular dance bands of the era. His 1931 hit "Minnie the Moocher," known for its catchy "hi-de-hi-de-ho" chorus, catapulted him to fame, making him the first African-American musician to sell over a million records. His band featured legendary musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Ben Webster, and Cozy Cole.
Throughout his career, Calloway also appeared in films like "Stormy Weather" (1943) and "The Cincinnati Kid" (1965), and on stage in productions like "Porgy and Bess" and "Hello, Dolly!" His influence extended beyond music through works like "The New Cab Calloway's Hepster's Dictionary," which popularized jive language.
Calloway's career experienced a resurgence in the 1980s with his role in "The Blues Brothers" (1980). He continued performing until his death on November 18, 1994, in Hockessin, Delaware. Honored with numerous awards, including the National Medal of Arts in 1993 and a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, Calloway's legacy as a pioneer in jazz and entertainment endures. His signature song "Minnie the Moocher" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry, cementing his cultural impact.
App
