The Cab Calloway Orchestra facts for kids
The Cab Calloway Orchestra was a super important jazz band in America for over ten years! They were based at the famous Cotton Club in Harlem, New York. Many amazing musicians played in the band over the years.
In 1930, Cab Calloway became the leader of the band at the Cotton Club. He took over from another jazz legend, Duke Ellington. The band recorded many songs for different record companies like Brunswick and Victor. They released music on many labels from 1930 all the way through 1942.
When the Cotton Club closed its doors in 1940, Cab Calloway and his band started touring all over the United States. They traveled and performed for audiences everywhere.
In 1941, something happened between Cab Calloway and Dizzy Gillespie, who was a trumpet player in the orchestra. They had a big disagreement while on stage. This led to Gillespie leaving the band.
The Cab Calloway Orchestra eventually stopped playing together in the late 1940s.
Original Band Members
When the Cab Calloway Orchestra first started, it had a group of talented musicians. These included Earres Prince on piano, and Walter "Foots" Thomas and Thornton Blue playing alto saxophones. Andrew Brown played the tenor sax.
Other original members were Morris White on banjo, and Jimmy Smith on tuba. DePriest Wheeler played the trombone. Leroy Maxey was on drums, and R.Q. Dickerson and Lammar Wright played the trumpets. Many other great musicians joined the band later on!
