Calloway, Cab(ell)

noted African-American JAZZ singer and bandleader; b. Rochester, N.Y., Dec. 25, 1907; d. Cokebury Village, Del., Nov. 8, 1994. After making his way to Chicago, Calloway began his career as a singer and dancer. He led the jazz band the Alabamians in 1928-29, and then took over the leadership of the Missourians, with which he established himself in N.Y. in 1929-30. Calloway also appeared in the Broadway revue Hot Chocolates in 1929.

In the 1930s Calloway led the band at Harlem's famous Cotton Club. This led to a career in films. Calloway had a bold personality, commanding the stage with his large physique and expressive face. He preferred comic songs to ballads and often added SCAT SINGING to his work. He was known as the "Hi-de-ho Man," after the scat chorus of his biggest and most enduring hit, 1931 's Minnie the Moocher.

Calloway's popularity faded after World War II, but he continued to perform into the late 1980s. He was featured in the popular 1980 comic film The Blues Brothers.