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.
Zaz Zuh Zaz
Cab Calloway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It will put you in a daze,
To me it don't mean a thing,
But it's got a very peculiar swing!
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zaz,
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay,
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zaz,
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay!
Now, zaz-zuh-zaz was handed down
From a bloke down in Chinatown;
It seems his name was Smoky Joe,
And he used to hi-de-hi-de-ho.
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zaz,
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay,
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zaz,
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay!
When Smoky Joe came into town
And he kicked the gong around,
Any place that he would go
Minnie the Moocher she was sure to go,
With her zaz-zuh-zaz,
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay,
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zaz,
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay!
It makes no difference where you go,
There's one thing that they sure do know:
There's no need for them to be blue,
For the zaz-suh-zaz will always see them through!
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zaz,
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay,
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zaz,
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay!
The lyrics to Cab Calloway's "Zaz Zuh Zaz" are peculiar, to say the least. The song speaks of a phrase that is entrancing and has a peculiar swing to it. The phrase, "zaz-zuh-zaz," doesn't mean much to the singer, but it's clear that it has some significance to someone. It's suggested that the phrase was handed down from a bloke named Smoky Joe in Chinatown, who used to hi-de-hi-de-ho. Whenever Smoky Joe came into town and kicked the gong around, Minnie the Moocher would be sure to follow him, with her own zaz-zuh-zaz. The song suggests that the zaz-zuh-zaz has the power to make people happy, no matter where they are or what they're going through.
In interpreting these lyrics, it's hard to pinpoint exactly what "zaz-zuh-zaz" actually means. It's possible that it's just gibberish, but the fact that it has been handed down through generations suggests that it might have some cultural significance that is lost on the singer. It's also possible that the phrase represents something more metaphorical, such as a sense of joy or freedom that is unique to certain people or communities. Whatever its true meaning, the song emphasizes the idea that it has a powerful effect on those who hear it.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, here's a very entrancing phrase,
I'm about to introduce you to a phrase that might capture your attention.
It will put you in a daze,
It has the potential to mesmerize you.
To me it don't mean a thing,
Personally, I don't find any significance in it.
But it's got a very peculiar swing!
However, the rhythm and melody are unusual and fascinating.
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zaz,
This is how the phrase sounds.
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay,
This is how the phrase sounds, again.
Now, zaz-zuh-zaz was handed down
The phrase was passed down from one person to another.
From a bloke down in Chinatown;
It originally came from someone who lived in Chinatown.
It seems his name was Smoky Joe,
The person who began using the phrase was named Smoky Joe.
And he used to hi-de-hi-de-ho.
He was known for scatting or singing nonsense syllables for an improvisational effect.
When Smoky Joe came into town
Whenever Smoky Joe arrived in the area,
And he kicked the gong around,
And he played the gong or other percussion instruments,
Any place that he would go
Wherever he went,
Minnie the Moocher she was sure to go,
Minnie the Moocher, another character in Cab Calloway's songs, would usually follow him.
With her zaz-zuh-zaz,
Saying or singing zaz-zuh-zaz,
It makes no difference where you go,
It doesn't matter where you are,
There's one thing that they sure do know:
One thing they know for sure:
There's no need for them to be blue,
They don't have to be sad,
For the zaz-suh-zaz will always see them through!
Because the phrase is so uplifting, it will always provide them with some form of comfort when they need it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CAB CALLOWAY, HARRY A. WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pescie7396
Now, here's a very entrancing phrase
It will put you in a daze
To me it don't mean a thing
But it's got a very peculiar swing
Zaz, zuh, zaz, zuh, zaz
Zaz, zuh, zaz, zuh, zay
Zaz, zuh, zaz, zuh, zaz
Zaz, zuh, zaz, zuh, zay
Now, zaz, zuh, zaz was handed down
From a bloke down in Chinatown
It seems his name was Smoky Joe
And he used to hi, de, hi, de, ho
Zaz, zuh, zaz, zuh, zaz
Zaz, zuh, zaz, zuh, zay
Zaz, zuh, zaz, zuh, zaz
Zaz, zuh, zaz, zuh, zay
When Smoky Joe came into town
And he kicked the gong around
Any place that he would go
Minnie the Moocher she was sure to go
With her zaz, zuh, zaz
Zaz, zuh, zaz, zuh, zay
Zaz, zuh, zaz, zuh, zaz
Zaz, zuh, zaz, zuh, zay
It makes no difference where you go
There's one thing that they sure do know
There's no need for them to be blue
For the zaz, suh, zaz will always see them through
Zaz, zuh, zaz, zuh, zaz
Zaz, zuh, zaz, zuh, zay
Zaz, zuh, zaz, zuh, zaz
Zaz, zuh, zaz, zuh, zay
@TulipeSucree
Now, here's a very entrancing phrase
It will put you in a daze
To me it don't mean a thing
But it's got a very peculiar swing!
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zaz
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zaz
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay!
Now, zaz-zuh-zaz was handed down
From a bloke down in Chinatown;
It seems his name was Smoky Joe
And he used to hi-de-hi-de-ho
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zaz
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zaz
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay!
When Smoky Joe came into town
And he kicked the gong around
Any place that he would go
Minnie the Moocher she was sure to go
With her zaz-zuh-zaz
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zaz
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay!
It makes no difference where you go
There's one thing that they sure do know:
There's no need for them to be blue
For the zaz-suh-zaz will always see them through!
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zaz
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zaz
Zaz-zuh-zaz-zuh-zay!
@Deutschlieber
My father often saw him performing at the Cotton Club back in the 1930s. Amazing. What I wouldn't give for a time machine...
@MrEricharper
A clock is a time machine 😮
@AriesMoonTarot
he just looks like the coolest guy ever
@StorminMormin91
That's cause he is ;)
@randyelliott9152
Not enough O's in smoooooooooth to describe the great,immortal Cab
@Vegan_Vampire
he is
@boxylemons7961
he was the coolest guy ever
@weswolever7477
He IS the coolest guy.....EVER
@dirksimmang
My Grandfather said cab was the best.. My Grandfather passed away 1996 ---- 88 yrs old..he was born 1908 ... my grandfather was about 19 yrs old when he saw cab....he said no one could move like cab...
@sarahlynnmarkham2760
My grandmother as well. Jazz Swing Florida girl who drank real Rum Run and BathTub Shine thanks to my great granddaddy being a druggist/pharmacist at his store .As long as he had a doc prescription,he’d fill it!