Cab Calloway - Bio, Age, Chinese Zodiac Sign & Timeline
| Born | December 25, 1907 |
|---|---|
| Died | November 19, 1994 (age 86) |
| Birthplace | Rochester, New York, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Chinese Zodiac | Goat |
| Generation | Greatest Generation |
| Known For | Popularizing scat singing, hit song 'Minnie the Moocher,' leadership of a prominent jazz orchestra during the Harlem Renaissance. |
Intro
Cab Calloway was an influential American jazz singer, bandleader, and entertainer, celebrated for his energetic performances and charismatic stage presence. A key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, he rose to fame with his orchestra at the Cotton Club, and is especially known for his pioneering scat singing style and the hit song 'Minnie the Moocher.' Calloway's innovative musical approach and vibrant showmanship left a lasting impact on jazz and popular music.
Early Life & Background
Cab Calloway was born to a middle-class family in Rochester, New York, and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. His mother was a teacher and church organist who encouraged his musical pursuits. He studied music and voice during his youth before launching his professional career in the vibrant jazz clubs of Harlem.
Career Highlights
- Lead performer and bandleader at Harlem's Cotton Club in the late 1920s and 1930s
- 'Minnie the Moocher' (1931) became his signature song, blending jazz, call-and-response vocals, and scat singing
- First African American to have a nationally syndicated radio program
- Appeared in films including 'The Blues Brothers' (1980) and 'Stormy Weather' (1943)
- Published 'Cab Calloway's Cat-ologue: a Hepster's Dictionary', an early glossary of African American slang in 1938
- Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 for 'Minnie the Moocher'
Trivia
- Calloway's trademark 'Hi-de-ho!' chorus became one of the most recognizable catchphrases in jazz history.
- He had a cameo appearance in the film 'The Blues Brothers,' performing 'Minnie the Moocher.'
- He mentored numerous influential jazz musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie.
- He was posthumously awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
FAQs
People also ask
When was Cab Calloway born?
Cab Calloway was born the 25 December 1907.
Where is Cab Calloway from?
Rochester, New York, USA.
On His Birth-Day
About December 25th, 1907, in brief:
- Historical events: Cab Calloway III was born in Rochester, New York, marking the arrival of one of the most influential bandleaders and jazz musicians of the 20th century. Known for his iconic performances of 'Minnie the Moocher' and his significant contributions to the jazz and swing music genres, Calloway would become a pivotal figure in African American entertainment and cultural history.
- Day of the week: December 25th, 1907 was a Wednesday
- Zodiac Sign: Capricorn (in western zodiac), Goat (in Chinese zodiac)
- Moon Phase: Waning gibbous
- #1 US song: You've Got to Love Me a Lot by Ada Jones & Len Spencer
- Popular movie: Tom Sawyer directed by Don Taylor
Check the link for more news and curiosities on December 25th, 1907.