Description
Cab Calloway began performing in Chicago and New York City in the late 1920s. The bandleader and singer became famous after recording "Minnie the Moocher" in 1931-the first jazz song to sell a million copies-and helped popularize "scat" singing during the Swing era. Calloway toured extensively, broadcast often on radio, and appeared in films ranging from Stormy Weather (1943) to The Blues Brothers (1980). He also appeared on Broadway as Sportin' Life in a 1950 revival of Porgy and Bess (he claimed the character was based on him), and with Pearl Bailey in the 1967 all-black revival of Hello, Dolly!Artist’s widow, Penny Edwards-Facci; gift to NPG 1999
Physical Object
Patinated Hydrocal
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Penny Edwards-Facci
