Cabell "Cab" Calloway III (December 25, 1907 – November 18, 1994) was a jaz… Read Full Bio ↴Cabell "Cab" Calloway III (December 25, 1907 – November 18, 1994) was a jazz singer, bandleader, composer and actor. He was strongly associated with the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York City, where he was a regular performer.
Calloway was a master of energetic scat singing and led one of the United States' most popular big bands, Cab Calloway and his Orchestra, from the start of the 1930s through to the late 1940s. Calloway's band featured performers including trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie and Doc Cheatham, saxophonists Ben Webster and Chu Berry, New Orleans guitar ace Danny Barker and bassist Milt Hinton. Calloway continued to perform until his death in 1994 at the age of 86.
Calloway was born to a middle-class family in Rochester, New York, and lived there until 1918. He later lived in Baltimore, Maryland. His father, Cabell Calloway II, was a lawyer, and his mother, Martha Eulalia Reed, was a teacher and church organist. His parents recognised their son's musical talent, and he began private voice lessons in 1922. He continued to study music and voice throughout his formal schooling. Despite his parents' and vocal teachers' disapproval of jazz, Calloway began frequenting and eventually performing in many of Baltimore's jazz clubs, where he was mentored by drummer Chick Webb and pianist Johnny Jones.
After graduating from high school, Calloway joined his older sister, Blanche, in a touring production of the popular black musical revue Plantation Days (Blanche Calloway herself went on to become an accomplished bandleader before her brother did, and he often credited his inspiration to enter show business to her). Calloway attended Lincoln University, Pennsylvania , and left in 1930 without graduating.
When the tour ended in Chicago in the autumn, Cab decided to remain in Chicago with his sister, who had an established career as a jazz singer in that city. His parents had hopes of their son becoming a lawyer like his father, so Calloway enrolled in Crane College. His main interest, however, was in singing and entertaining, and he spent most of his nights at the Dreamland Cafe, the Sunset Cafe, and the Club Berlin, performing as a drummer, singer, and emcee. At the Sunset Cafe he met and performed with Louis Armstrong who taught him to sing in the scat style.
The Cotton Club was the premier jazz venue in the country, and Cab Calloway and his Orchestra (he had taken over a brilliant but failing band called "The Missourians" in 1930) were hired as a replacement for the Duke Ellington Orchestra while they were touring. Calloway quickly proved so popular that his band became the co-house band with Ellington's, and he and his group began touring nationwide when not playing at the Cotton Club. Their popularity was greatly enhanced by the twice-weekly live national radio broadcasts on NBC at the Cotton Club. Calloway also appeared on Walter Winchell's radio program and with Bing Crosby in his show at the Paramount Theatre. As a result of these appearances, Calloway, together with Ellington, broke the major broadcast network colour barrier.
Unlike many other bands of comparable commercial success, Calloway's gave ample soloing space to its lead members, and, through the varied arrangements of Walter 'Foots' Thomas, provided much more in the way of musical interest.
In 1931, he recorded his most famous song, "Minnie the Moocher". That song, together with "St James Infirmary Blues" and "The Old Man of the Mountain", were performed for the Betty Boop animated shorts Minnie the Moocher, Snow White, and The Old Man of the Mountain respectively. Through rotoscoping, Cab not only gave his voice to these cartoons but his dance steps as well. Cab took advantage of this and timed his concerts in some communities with the release of the films in order to make the most of the attention. As a result of the success of "Minnie the Moocher" he became identified with its chorus, gaining the nickname "The Hi De Ho Man". He also performed in a series of short films for Paramount in the 1930s (Calloway and Ellington were featured on film more than any other Jazz Orchestra of the era). In 1943 he appeared in the high-profile 20th Century Fox musical film, Stormy Weather.
In his later career, Calloway became a popular personality, appearing in a number of films and stage productions that utilised both his acting and singing talents. In 1952, he played the prominent role of Sportin' Life in a production of the Gershwin opera Porgy and Bess. Another notable role was Yeller in The Cincinnati Kid (1965). In 1967 Calloway co-starred as Horace Vandergelder in an all-black revival of Hello, Dolly! (even though the original production was still running) starring Pearl Bailey. This was a major success, and led to a cast recording released by RCA. In 1973-1974 he was featured in an unsuccessful Broadway revival of The Pajama Game.
Calloway attracted renewed interest in 1980 when he appeared as a supporting character in the film The Blues Brothers, performing "Minnie the Moocher", and again when he sang "The Jumpin' Jive" with the Two-Headed Monster on Sesame Street. This was also the year in which the cult film Forbidden Zone was released, which included rearrangements and parodies of Cab Calloway songs written by Danny Elfman, a Calloway fan.
On 18th November 1994 Calloway died, having suffered a major stroke six months earlier. In 1998, The Cab Calloway Orchestra (directed by Cab's grandson C. "CB" Calloway Brooks) was formed to honour Cab Calloway's legacy nationally and internationally.
Calloway was a master of energetic scat singing and led one of the United States' most popular big bands, Cab Calloway and his Orchestra, from the start of the 1930s through to the late 1940s. Calloway's band featured performers including trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie and Doc Cheatham, saxophonists Ben Webster and Chu Berry, New Orleans guitar ace Danny Barker and bassist Milt Hinton. Calloway continued to perform until his death in 1994 at the age of 86.
Calloway was born to a middle-class family in Rochester, New York, and lived there until 1918. He later lived in Baltimore, Maryland. His father, Cabell Calloway II, was a lawyer, and his mother, Martha Eulalia Reed, was a teacher and church organist. His parents recognised their son's musical talent, and he began private voice lessons in 1922. He continued to study music and voice throughout his formal schooling. Despite his parents' and vocal teachers' disapproval of jazz, Calloway began frequenting and eventually performing in many of Baltimore's jazz clubs, where he was mentored by drummer Chick Webb and pianist Johnny Jones.
After graduating from high school, Calloway joined his older sister, Blanche, in a touring production of the popular black musical revue Plantation Days (Blanche Calloway herself went on to become an accomplished bandleader before her brother did, and he often credited his inspiration to enter show business to her). Calloway attended Lincoln University, Pennsylvania , and left in 1930 without graduating.
When the tour ended in Chicago in the autumn, Cab decided to remain in Chicago with his sister, who had an established career as a jazz singer in that city. His parents had hopes of their son becoming a lawyer like his father, so Calloway enrolled in Crane College. His main interest, however, was in singing and entertaining, and he spent most of his nights at the Dreamland Cafe, the Sunset Cafe, and the Club Berlin, performing as a drummer, singer, and emcee. At the Sunset Cafe he met and performed with Louis Armstrong who taught him to sing in the scat style.
The Cotton Club was the premier jazz venue in the country, and Cab Calloway and his Orchestra (he had taken over a brilliant but failing band called "The Missourians" in 1930) were hired as a replacement for the Duke Ellington Orchestra while they were touring. Calloway quickly proved so popular that his band became the co-house band with Ellington's, and he and his group began touring nationwide when not playing at the Cotton Club. Their popularity was greatly enhanced by the twice-weekly live national radio broadcasts on NBC at the Cotton Club. Calloway also appeared on Walter Winchell's radio program and with Bing Crosby in his show at the Paramount Theatre. As a result of these appearances, Calloway, together with Ellington, broke the major broadcast network colour barrier.
Unlike many other bands of comparable commercial success, Calloway's gave ample soloing space to its lead members, and, through the varied arrangements of Walter 'Foots' Thomas, provided much more in the way of musical interest.
In 1931, he recorded his most famous song, "Minnie the Moocher". That song, together with "St James Infirmary Blues" and "The Old Man of the Mountain", were performed for the Betty Boop animated shorts Minnie the Moocher, Snow White, and The Old Man of the Mountain respectively. Through rotoscoping, Cab not only gave his voice to these cartoons but his dance steps as well. Cab took advantage of this and timed his concerts in some communities with the release of the films in order to make the most of the attention. As a result of the success of "Minnie the Moocher" he became identified with its chorus, gaining the nickname "The Hi De Ho Man". He also performed in a series of short films for Paramount in the 1930s (Calloway and Ellington were featured on film more than any other Jazz Orchestra of the era). In 1943 he appeared in the high-profile 20th Century Fox musical film, Stormy Weather.
In his later career, Calloway became a popular personality, appearing in a number of films and stage productions that utilised both his acting and singing talents. In 1952, he played the prominent role of Sportin' Life in a production of the Gershwin opera Porgy and Bess. Another notable role was Yeller in The Cincinnati Kid (1965). In 1967 Calloway co-starred as Horace Vandergelder in an all-black revival of Hello, Dolly! (even though the original production was still running) starring Pearl Bailey. This was a major success, and led to a cast recording released by RCA. In 1973-1974 he was featured in an unsuccessful Broadway revival of The Pajama Game.
Calloway attracted renewed interest in 1980 when he appeared as a supporting character in the film The Blues Brothers, performing "Minnie the Moocher", and again when he sang "The Jumpin' Jive" with the Two-Headed Monster on Sesame Street. This was also the year in which the cult film Forbidden Zone was released, which included rearrangements and parodies of Cab Calloway songs written by Danny Elfman, a Calloway fan.
On 18th November 1994 Calloway died, having suffered a major stroke six months earlier. In 1998, The Cab Calloway Orchestra (directed by Cab's grandson C. "CB" Calloway Brooks) was formed to honour Cab Calloway's legacy nationally and internationally.
Gotta Right to Sing the Blues
Cab Calloway Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Gotta Right to Sing the Blues' by these artists:
Eydie Gorme I got a right to sing the blues I got a…
Louis Armstrong A certain gal in this old town Keeps draggin' my poor…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Cab Calloway:
'Long About Midnight Just take a look at Harlem after sundown, Any time you…
'Minnie The Moocher' Here's some news that'll get you It's made to order for…
'Reefer Man' Man, what's the matter with that cat there? Must be full…
(Hep! Hep!) The Jumpin' Jive Hep-hep! De-boodle-de-ack, de-boodle-de-ackasaki! Hep-hep!…
15 Minute Intermission Say, what's the matter with you cats You sure look beat…
A Chicken Ain Chicken, nice fried chicken Barbecue chicken, won't you send…
A Chicken Ain’t Nothin’ but a Bird Chicken! Nice fried chicken! Barbecued chicken! Won't …
A Ghost Of A Chance I need your love so badly, I love you, oh,…
A Good Sauce From The Gravy Bowl I like good sauce in the gravy bowl, Must be…
A Strictly Cullud Affair When your spirits are low, There's a place you can go. You'l…
Abi Gezunt I'm Chu the Flu I'm Heard the Jerk I'm Falop the Hop I'm…
Ain Chicken, nice fried chicken Barbecue chicken, won't you send…
Ain't Got No Gal In This Town (Greer-Robinson) Transcribed from Cab Calloway and His Orc…
Ain't No Gal In This Town (Greer-Robinson) Transcribed from Cab Calloway and His Orche…
All You All Reet Do you come on like Shorty, George and me? Just spill…
Angeline Robin's in the tree top high Soon will sing a lullaby Angeli…
Are You All Reet Do you come on like Shorty, George and me? Just spill…
Are You Hep The Jive (Yes, yes, yes) Are you full of pep? (Yes, yes, yes) Are…
Are You In Love With Me Again Are you in love with me, dear? Are you in…
Avalon I found my love in Avalon Beside a bay, I left…
Ävalon I found my love in Avalon Beside a bay; I left my…
Aw You Dawg Aw, you dog, you dirty dog, You better stop your…
Azure Driftin' Dreamin' In an Azure mood, Stardust gleamin' Thru …
Baby Won I've got the blues, I feel so lonely, I'd give the world If…
BabyWon't You Please Come Home I've got the blues, I feel so lonely, I'd give the world …
Basin Street Blues Won't you come along with me To the Mississippi We'll take a…
Beale Street Mama Beale Street Papa Why don't you come back home? It isn't pro…
Beale Street Mamma Beale Street mama Why don't you come back home? It isn't pro…
Between The Devil And The Blue Sea I don't want you But I hate to lose you You've…
Between The Devil And The Deep I don't want you, But I hate to lose you,…
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue See I don't want you But I hate to lose you You've…
Birth of the Blues Oh! they say some people long ago Were searching for a…
Black Rhythm Down in Louisiana There's a grand piano-playing man; He know…
Blues in My Heart What can I do Now that you say we're through?…
Blues In The Night My mamma done tol' me, When I was in knee pants, My…
Blues In The Night (My Mama Done Tol' Me) My momma done tol me When I was in knee-pants My momma…
Boo Wah (Boo wah, boo wah) It's a lonely tune (Boo wah, boo wah) You…
Boog It Gather 'round, gather 'round, a new dance has hit the…
Buggle Call Rag You're bound to fall for the bugle call; You're gonna brag…
Cabaret A table for two, sir right this way Oh, what good…
Cabin in the Cotton There's a cabin in the southland, Where I long to go. Little…
Calloway Boogie Here's a little tune, we're gonna play it for you T'ain't…
Chattanooga Choo Choo Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo? Track twe…
Chicken Ain Chicken, nice fried chicken Barbecue chicken, won't you send…
Chinese Rhythm You can do most anything, but whatever you do, There's…
Chinese Rythm You can do most anything, but whatever you do, There's…
Chop chop charlie chan A dai yon dai yon dai yon dai yon ta…
Come On With The "Come On" Come on and swing it with the Jive, brother Come on…
Copper Colored Gal Copper colored gal of mine, I love you 'cause you're…
Corinne This is what I have from the life record recorded…
Corrina Corrine Corrina, where you been so long? Corrine Corrina, wh…
Corrine Corrine Corrina, where you been so long? Corrine Corrina, w…
Creole Love Call When the days are sad and long, I just keep wandering…
Dinah Dinah Is there anyone finer In the state of Carolina? If…
Do I Care I gotta go places and do things See new faces and…
Do It Again I love the way you kiss Do it again I love the…
Doin Gather round you get a thrill in your feet That'll never…
doin the new low down It isn't alcohol no yaller gal at all thrills me…
Doin' the Rhumba Gather round, You get a thrill in your feet That'll…
Doing the reactionary Don′t go left Oh oh! Be polite Move to the right Doing the…
Don Say man, what's the matter What you doing standing up there…
Don't Know If I'm Comin' Or Goin' You've got me on the go, Running to and fro, Looking high…
Down-Hearted Blues Gee, but it's hard to love someone When that someone…
Eadie Was A Lady Maud and Mabel, seated at a table Talking over bygone days …
Eadie Was A Lady Eadie Was A Lady Maud and Mabel, seated at a table Talking over bygone days M…
Emaline Don't you hear my heart whisper thru your window, Emaline? I…
Evenin Evening, every night you come and you find me And you…
Everybody Eats When The Come To My House Have a banana, Hannah Try the salami, Tommy Get with the gra…
Everybody Eats When They Come Have a banana, Hannah Try the salami, Tommy Get with the g…
Everybody Eats When They Come to My House Have a banana, Hannah Try the salami, Tommy Get with the gra…
Exactly Like You I used to have a perfect sweetheart Not a real one,…
F.D.R. Jones I hear tell there's a stranger in the Jones household (Yes…
Farewell Blues Sadness just makes me sigh, I've come to say goodbye, Altho'…
FDR Jones It's a big holiday everywhere For the Jones family has a…
Fifteen Minute Intermission Hey what's the matter wit' you guys back there, You sure…
Foo A Little Bally-Hoo A-jump with the jamboree Come on Jack and jump with me A-jum…
Foolin' With You Are you in love with me, dear? Are you in…
For the Last Time I Cried Over You What's the matter with you, pops? You sure look…
Frisco Flo Frisco Flo was just a typical gal, Frisco Flo was…
Geechy Joe Logo Back Cab Calloway : Geechy Joe 1941 Perform…
Ghost of a Chance I need your love so badly, I love you, oh,…
Git Along I left my home when I was younger Started out to…
Give Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid. It's not a…
Go South Young Man Go South, young man go South, young man That's where you…
Good Sauce From The Gravy Bowl I like good sauce in the gravy bowl, Must be sauce…
Gotta Darn Good Reason for Bein' Good Oh, she's pretty and witty, soft-natured and sweet Attractiv…
Gotta Darn Good Reason Now (For Bein' Good) A Oh, she's pretty and witty, soft-natured and sweet Attract…
Gotta Go Places and Do Things Gotta go places and do things See new places and brand…
Gotta Good Reason Now Oh, she's pretty and witty, soft-natured and sweet Attractiv…
Happy Feet Happy feet! I've got those hap-hap-happy feet! Give them a l…
Harlem Holiday There'll be bands everywhere, going to town There'll be plan…
Harlem Hospitality It's the one and only Lennox Avenue, That's the one and…
He Cat's Love Song When I hug ya You stay hugged When I dig ya You stay…
Hep Hep The Jumpin Jive (Yes, yes, yes) Are you full of pep? (Yes, yes, yes) Are…
Hey Hey now, hey now I was walkin' up the street, actin'…
Hey Doc [Spoken] Hey, Doc, hey, Doc, I've got to see you. [Spoken]…
Hey Joe Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun of your…
Hey Now Hey now, hey now I was walkin' up the street, actin'…
Hey Now, Hey Now I was walkin' up the street, actin' real mellow, but deep…
hey now–hey now Hey now, hey now I was walkin' up the street, actin'…
Hey, Doc! [Spoken] Hey, Doc, hey, Doc, I've got to see you. [Spoken]…
Hi De Ho Man The hi-de-ho man, that's me How'd you like to blow your…
Hi-De-Ho Man That's Me The hi-de-ho man, that′s me How'd you like to blow your…
Hi-De-Ho Miracle Man I'm the hi-de-ho miracle man, I can really do wonders, I…
Honey Dripper Folks here's the story 'bout Minnie the Moocher She was a…
Hotcha Say, don't be among the late ones, Change your dancing ways,…
How big can you get How big can you get Can you get, can you get How…
How Come You do Me Like You Do How come you do me like you do do do? How…
Hoy Hoy Me imaginado tanta veces que la distancia no es tan…
Hoy-Hoy When you're in the groove And you're full of joy Just beat…
I I want to rock, just rock, if the feeling is…
I Ain Say, I ain't got nobody, and nobody cares for me! That's…
I Can Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid. It's not a…
I Don I need your love so badly, I love you, oh,…
I Get the Neck of the Chicken (Jimmy McHugh / Frank Loesser) (There's always one in eve…
I Got Rhythm Days can be sunny, with never a sigh Don't need what…
I Got the World on a String I've got the world on a string I'm sitting on a…
I Gotta Go Places And Do Things I gotta go places and do things See new faces and…
I Gotta Right To Sing The Blue I gotta right to sing the blues I gotta right to…
I Learned About Love From Her We met one evening when the moon was bright, And when…
I Love To Sing I love to sing-a About a moon-a and a June-a and…
I Want to Rock I want to rock, just rock, if the feeling is…
I'll Be Around I'll be around, No matter how You treat me now I'll be aroun…
I'll Get By I'll get by As long as I have you Though there be…
and many more tracks by Cab Calloway.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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