Today’s episode features the illustrious life and music of Cab Calloway. Because of the long length of his career and his involvement in the television and film industry, there’s no shortage of footage of Calloway performing. Check out some highlights in the links below:
In the early 1930’s Max Fleisher used his patented rotoscope animation technique to animate Cab Calloway into several cartoon shorts, including within a larger Betty Boop project. You can watch Minnie the Moocher, St. James Infirmary, and learn more about the animation process.
In 1953, Cab Calloway starred as Sportin’ Life in Porgy & Bess, a role Gershwin had written with Calloway in mind. Here he performs “It Ain’t Necessarily So” on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1965.
Cab Calloway was featured in the 1943 film Stormy Weather, along with greats Lena Horn, Bill Robinson, and Fats Waller. Check out Jumpin Jive from the film, as Calloway joins the Nicholas Brothers for this show stopping performance.
Calloway’s final screen appearance was in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, where he performs his biggest hit, Minnie the Moocher.
All songs featured in this episode, as well as some other of our favorites, can be found in the companion playlist on Spotify
Song Credits:
“The Scat Song;” Performed by Cab Calloway and His Orchestra; Written by Cab Calloway, Mitchell Parish, & Frank Perkins; RCA Victor, 1931
“Nobody’s Sweetheart;” Performed by Cab Calloway & His Orchestra; Written by Ernie Erdman, Gus Kahn, Billy Meyers, & Elmer Schoebel; RCA Victor, 1931
“Some of These Days;” Performed by Cab Calloway & His Orchestra; Written by Shelton Brooks; Brunswick, 1931
“Minnie the Moocher;” Performed by Cab Calloway & His Orchestra; Written by Cab Calloway, Clarence Gaskill, Irving Mills; RCA Victor, 1931
“St. James’ Infirmary;” Performed by Cab Calloway & His Orchestra; Written by Irving Mills; RCA Victor, 1931
“Margie;” Performed by Cab Calloway & His Cotton Club Orchestra; Written by Con Conrad, Benny Davis, & J. Russel Robinson; RCA Victor, 1934
“Reefer Man;” Performed by Cab Calloway & His Orchestra; Written by Andy Razaf & J. Russel Robinson; Brunswick, 1934
“Willow Weep For Me;” Performed by Cab Calloway & His Orchestra (featuring Hilston Jefferson); Written by Ann Ronnell; okeh, 1941
“It Ain’t Necessarily So;” Performed by Cab Calloway; Written by George Gershwin & Ira Gerswhin; RCA Victor, 1953
“Minnie the Moocher;” Performed by Cab Calloway from the 1980 film The Blues Brothers; Written by Cab Calloway, Clarence Gaskill, Irving Mills; Atlantic Recording Group, 1980
“The Jumpin’ Jive;” Performed by Cab Calloway and His Orchestra; Written by Cab Calloway, Frank Froeba, and Jack Palmer; Vocalion, 1939
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