Calloway, Cab (1907-1994), was a popular African American bandleader and entertainer. Calloway led one of the most successful big bands of the 1930’s and 1940’s. He became known for his outgoing personality, his exuberant singing, and his flashy wardrobe. Calloway specialized in scat singing, in which he sang rhythmic wordless syllables instead of recognizable words, as in his theme song “Minnie the Moocher.” Calloway became known as the “Hi-de-ho man” after he once forgot the lyrics and began scat singing.
Cabell Calloway III was born on Dec. 25, 1907, in Rochester, New York. He toured in the popular African American musical revue Plantation Days in 1927 and began a singing engagement in Chicago in 1928. Calloway moved to New York City in 1929. There he led a band at the Savoy Ballroom in 1929 and at the Cotton Club from 1930 to 1932. Calloway and his band then toured until he broke up the group in 1948 to begin a solo career.
During the 1930’s, Calloway and his band appeared in several motion-picture musicals. He led the band on many recordings throughout the 1930’s and 1940’s. The band featured such jazz stars as trumpeters Jonah Jones and Dizzy Gillespie, saxophonists Chu Berry and Ben Webster, bassist Milt Hinton, and drummer Cozy Cole.
Beginning in 1950, Calloway performed in several stage musicals, including Porgy and Bess (1952) and Hello, Dolly! (1967). He also appeared in such motion pictures as St. Louis Blues (1958), The Cincinnati Kid (1965), and The Blues Brothers (1980). Calloway wrote an autobiography, Of Minnie the Moocher & Me (1976). He died on Nov. 18, 1994.
