One2Swing Biography: Cab Calloway



As part of the One2Swing Daily, I wanted to pay tribute to a lot of the artists and musicians that provide the music that we enjoy and dance too. These bios are drawn together from a wide variety of sources and condensed down to just a few pointers. Hope you enjoy them! -Ben


Cab Calloway
(1907 - 1994)

     Cab Calloway and his Orchestra have been described as the greatest strutting and swinging entertainers of all time. Cabell "Cab" Calloway was raised in Baltimore and later Chicago (in his teens). From an early age Cab wanted to be an entertainer and started young with various theatres and groups. At age 15 Cab's mother arranged for him to study voice with Ruth Macabee whom he has credited with giving him a firm foundation in vocal technique and diction. Through high school Cab became popular as he sang in many school productions. After high school Cab found most of his work through his more famous sister Blance Calloway.


     His popularity quickly surpassed hers in the late 20's as he became the lead singer at the Sunset Cafe (Chicago's version of The Cotton Club), leading to his becoming a bandleader and being signed by MCA Records. He later worked and played with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and managed the Savoy Ballroom house band. Calloway was an exhilarating image providing an indication of the hot and high times experienced by black musicians in the 1920's and 1930's. His most recent notable appearance was in the 1980's movie hit "Blues Brothers" (Belushi, Akroyd) where he performed his trademark "Minnie The Moocher". Another favorite of ours is the lesser known fast-paced "Manhattan Jam".



Hope you enjoyed this mini-bio. I have many more to come!
-Ben