Cab Calloway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cab Calloway
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Calloway by William Gottlieb, 1947
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Cabell Calloway III |
| Born | December 25, 1907 Rochester, New York, U.S. |
| Died | November 18, 1994 (aged 86) Hockessin, Delaware, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1927–1994 |
Cabell Calloway III (born December 25, 1907 – died November 18, 1994) was an amazing American jazz singer, songwriter, and bandleader. He was famous for his energetic performances and his unique "scat singing" style, where he used sounds and syllables instead of regular words. Cab Calloway led one of the most popular dance bands in the United States from the 1930s to the 1940s. He was known as the "Hi-de-ho" man because of his most famous song, "Minnie the Moocher". His exciting career lasted over 65 years, bringing jazz and entertainment to millions of people.
Calloway's band featured many talented musicians, including trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie and Jonah Jones, and saxophonists Ben Webster and Leon "Chu" Berry. He had several hit songs and was the first African-American musician to sell one million copies of a record. Cab Calloway also appeared in many films, stage shows, and television programs. He had memorable roles in movies like Stormy Weather (1943) and The Blues Brothers (1980). He was also the first African-American to have a nationally broadcast radio show. Calloway received the National Medal of Arts in 1993 and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
Contents
Cab Calloway's Early Life and Musical Journey
Growing Up in Baltimore
Cabell Calloway III was born in Rochester, New York, on December 25, 1907. His parents were both college graduates and worked in important professions. In 1919, his family moved to Baltimore, Maryland. After his father passed away, his mother remarried.
Cab Calloway grew up in West Baltimore. He sometimes skipped school to earn money by selling newspapers and shining shoes. He also spent time at the Pimlico racetrack, where he became interested in horse racing. When he was caught playing dice, his mother sent him to a reform school for a short time.
Discovering His Passion for Music
After returning to Baltimore, Calloway continued his education and started taking private vocal lessons in 1922. Even though his parents and teachers didn't approve of jazz, he began performing in nightclubs. He learned a lot from mentors like drummer Chick Webb. Calloway also played professional basketball with the Baltimore Athenians. He graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1925. Later, he briefly studied law in Chicago but soon left to focus on his music career.
Rising to Stardom in the Jazz World
Joining the Cotton Club
In 1927, Cab Calloway toured with his older sister, Blanche Calloway, who was also a talented bandleader. She inspired him to pursue show business. Calloway moved to Chicago and spent his nights performing as a singer, drummer, and host in popular clubs. There, he met and performed with Louis Armstrong, who taught him the exciting style of scat singing.
In 1929, Calloway moved to New York. He soon became the leader of a band that became known as Cab Calloway and His Orchestra. In 1931, his band was hired to perform at the famous Cotton Club in Harlem, New York. They became so popular that they got a permanent spot. The band also performed twice a week on NBC radio. Calloway became the first African-American to have his own nationally broadcast radio show. At just 23 years old, he was earning a lot of money during a difficult time for many people.
The "Hi-De-Ho" Man and "Minnie the Moocher"
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In 1931, Calloway recorded his most famous song, "Minnie the Moocher". It was a huge hit and the first record by an African-American artist to sell a million copies. He performed this song and others in popular Betty Boop cartoons like Minnie the Moocher (1932) and Snow-White (1933). Calloway even did the voice-overs for these cartoons, and his dance moves were used to create the characters' movements!
Because of "Minnie the Moocher," Calloway became known as "The Hi De Ho Man." He appeared in many short films for Paramount in the 1930s. In these films, Calloway showed off a smooth backstep dance move, which some people believe was an early version of Michael Jackson's moonwalk. Calloway himself later called it "The Buzz."
Calloway's Famous Band and Unique Style
In 1938, Calloway released Cab Calloway's Cat-ologue: A "Hepster's" Dictionary. This was the first dictionary published by an African-American, and it became the official guide to jive language at the New York Public Library. This dictionary helped people understand the cool slang used in jazz culture.
Calloway's band in the 1930s and 1940s included many future jazz legends like Ben Webster, Milt Hinton, and Dizzy Gillespie. Calloway expected his musicians to play with precision and energy, just like his own performances. In 1941, Calloway had a disagreement with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, which led to Gillespie leaving the band. During World War II, Calloway and his orchestra entertained American troops before they went overseas.
Cab Calloway on Stage and Screen
Movies and Broadway Shows
In 1943, Calloway appeared in the film Stormy Weather. This was one of the first major Hollywood films with an all-black cast, featuring other stars like Lena Horne and Fats Waller. Calloway also hosted Horne's character as she performed the film's title song.
In the late 1940s, due to some financial challenges, Calloway's big band eventually broke up. However, he continued to perform. In 1958, he starred in the film St. Louis Blues, which told the life story of W.C. Handy. He also toured with the Harlem Globetrotters in the early 1960s, providing halftime entertainment.
A Return to the Spotlight
Calloway continued to be a well-known name through TV appearances and concerts. In 1967, he co-starred with Pearl Bailey in an all-black cast of Hello, Dolly! on Broadway. This new cast helped bring new life to the popular show.
In 1976, his autobiography, Of Minnie the Moocher and Me, was published. A new generation discovered Cab Calloway when he appeared in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, performing his classic song "Minnie the Moocher." He continued to perform at jazz festivals and even made a cameo in Janet Jackson's music video "Alright" in 1990.
His Lasting Legacy and Honors
Important Awards and Recognition
Cab Calloway's influence on music and entertainment is huge. Music critics say he inspired later artists like James Brown, Michael Jackson, and Janet Jackson, as well as modern hip-hop performers. Director John Landis, who worked with Calloway, even said, "Cab Calloway is hip-hop."
Calloway received many honors throughout his life and after his passing:
- 1987: Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame.
- 1990: Received the Beacons in Jazz Award, and New York City Mayor David Dinkins declared it "Cab Calloway Day."
- 1992: The Cab Calloway School of the Arts was founded in Wilmington, Delaware, named in his honor.
- 1993: Received the National Medal of Arts from the United States Congress.
- 1999: His song "Minnie the Moocher" was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame.
- 2008: Received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
- 2019: "Minnie the Moocher" was added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry, recognizing its cultural importance.
- 2020: Inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
Remembering His Boyhood Home
In 2019, there were plans to build a park in Baltimore named after Cab Calloway, which would have meant demolishing his childhood home. Many people, including his family and preservation groups, wanted to save the house because of its historical importance to African-American culture. Despite these efforts, the house was taken down on September 5, 2020. Architects working with the city proposed including an archway from the house's facade as part of the new park's entrance.
Personal Life
In 1927, Cab Calloway had a daughter named Camay. She later became one of the first African-Americans to teach in a white school in Virginia. Calloway married his first wife, Wenonah "Betty" Conacher, in 1928, and they adopted a daughter named Constance. They divorced in 1949.
On October 7, 1949, Calloway married Zulme "Nuffie" MacNeal. They lived in Long Beach, New York, and later in Westchester County, New York. Together, they raised their daughters Chris Calloway (1945–2008), Cecilia "Lael" Eulalia Calloway, and Cabella Calloway (1952–2023). Cab Calloway was a member of the Episcopal Church.
His Final Years
On June 12, 1994, Cab Calloway suffered a stroke at his home. He passed away five months later from pneumonia on November 18, 1994, at the age of 86. A memorial service was held in his honor. He was survived by his wife, five daughters, and seven grandsons. Calloway was buried at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.
Music and Film Highlights
Albums and Popular Songs
Cab Calloway released many albums throughout his career. Some of his notable albums include Cab Calloway And His Orchestra (1943) and Cotton Club Revue 1958 (1958). His most famous song, "Minnie the Moocher," was a number one hit in 1931. Other popular songs included "Saint James Infirmary", "Kicking the Gong Around", and "(Hep Hep!) The Jumpin' Jive".
Movies and TV Appearances
Cab Calloway appeared in many films, bringing his energetic performances to the big screen.
- The Big Broadcast (1932)
- International House (1933)
- The Singing Kid (1936)
- Stormy Weather (1943)
- St. Louis Blues (1958)
- The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
- The Blues Brothers (1980)
Stage Performances
Calloway also had a successful career on stage, including Broadway shows.
- Porgy and Bess (1953) – Played Sportin' Life
- Hello, Dolly! (1967) – Played Horace Vandergelder
- The Pajama Game (1973–1974) – Played Hines
See also
In Spanish: Cab Calloway para niños
