Take 5 with Cab Calloway

A video of Cab Calloway and His Big Band featuring the Nicholas Brothers from the legendary movie Stormy Weather recently was the subject of several posts on Facebook. While a good portion of the reaction focused on the incredible dance routine of the two brothers, one which Fred Astaire is reported to have called the greatest dance sequence on film. The Nicholas Brothers are astonishing, but also one might overlook the terrific playing of Cab Calloway's big band along with some of the greatest scat singing on film. We kick off this salute to Cab Calloway with Jumpin' Jive.

He also recorded one of the most famous renditions of St. James Infirmary.

His band had some incredible musicians including tenor saxophonist Chu Berry, trumpeters Doc Cheatham and Dizzy Gillespie, bassist Milt Hinton, drummer Cozy Cole, and guitarist Danny Barker. Chu Berry and Dizzy Gillespie are featured on Boo-Wah Boo-Wah.

With the success of Minnie the Moocher, Cab became known as the Hi De Ho Man. Here is a 1934 film with some of his hits from that time.

Finally, here he is heard on the song he is most identified with, Minnie the Moocher. This is not his original recording but a classic one.