Cab Calloway

Time to get back in the swing of things, pardon the pun, with the great American Jazz singer and band leader, Cab Calloway. While the name may not sound familiar, you are probably more familiar with his hit song, "Minnie The Moocher". The song of course featured in the classic film, The Blues Brothers. But beyond that Calloway made a name for himself and performed up until his death.

Calloway was nothing short of energetic with his unique scat Jazz singing. By 1930 he was a hit at New York's Cotton Club. His band featured the talents of Dizzy Gillespie, Ben Webster and Leon "Chu" Berry. Calloway proved to be very successful early on at The Cotton Club. His success led to weekly radio broadcasts of shows. Along with Duke Ellington, Calloway gets credit for breaking down early racial barriers in music. In '31 he recorded his signature tune, "Minnie The Moocher" for a Betty Boop cartoon.  His unique voice allowed him to do early voice over work for cartoons as well as appear on film in shorts. Not to be outdone by his vocal abilities, Calloway could also move. He can be seen in early film shorts doing what essentially is an early version of the Moonwalk, a move later made famous by Michael Jackson. Calloway continued through the decade recording other hits like "Reefer Man", which is well about, well that's self explanatory. By '41 though he fired Gillespie from his band after an onstage spat which included spitballs and Gillespie stabbing Calloway in the leg. As the years went by, Calloway continued to make music and preform. By the '80's he was in demand from the likes of The Blues Brothers, Oingo Boingo to even Sesame Street and the WWF. The latter he served as a ref for a Rowdy Roddy Piper vs. Mr. T boxing match. Cab passed in '94 but his music and legacy lives on. 'The Best Of The Bog Bands: Cab Calloway' serves as a reminder of what a legend he truly was.

Preview

Download