Cab Calloway in Stormy Weather, 1943. A real zoot suit.
That zoot suit is crazy cool!
Cab Calloway in Stormy Weather, 1943. A real zoot suit.
(via billiesbluesday)
Blanche Calloway - Growlin’ Dan
Blanche Calloway—Cab’s big sister!—is widely considered the first female leader of an all-male orchestra. While she doesn’t get the recognition she deserves, she was undoubtedly influential. Listen for some interesting parallels between this song and “Minnie the Moocher.”
Blanche Calloway wasn’t just Cab Calloway’s older sister. She was a band leader and composer in her own right. Her biggest hit, a song called Growlin’ Dan, references “Minnie the Moocher” trying to steal her man.
* Edited to say - More on Blanche Calloway soon. #fatigue
Did you know that Cab Calloway dropped out of law school to pursue his musical career? His lawyer father probably wasn’t too thrilled about that. Also, Dizzy Gillespie once stabbed him in the leg. Proper entry on Cab Calloway (and his sister Blanche!) coming right up…
Cab Calloway photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1933.
Eartha Kitt flanked by Cab Calloway and Cary Grant. Lucky lady…
(Source: micdel)
