Cab Calloway’s engagements at the Apollo Theater in Harlem (part 2)

Part 2: The Forties, from stardom to decline

Frank Shiffman’s card about Cab Calloway’s performances
at the Apollo between 1947 and 1956

Preliminary remark about Frank Schiffman’s notes (starting in 1946):

John Edward HASSE, curator in the Division of Culture and the Arts at the National Museum of American History, explains: “In 1946, Frank Schiffman, owner and manager of the Apollo, began keeping a 5”x8” card on each and every act he hired—from singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Chuck Berry to dancers such as Honi Coles, and comedians like Redd Foxx. There are over twelve hundred such cards.

Each card listed the opening night of the booking (most bookings were for one week), the amount each was paid, and—most interesting of all—Schiffman’s pithy comments on the act’s drawing power, polish, affordability, freshness or staleness, reception, attitude, and cooperativeness with management. All the comments were typewritten, making the cards completely legible and easy to read.” Schiffman wrote comments all Cab’s engagements. There are reprinted in context. You’ll quickly understand that the show is one thing but business is another one. To make it clear: “There’s no business like showbusiness!”

Cab Calloway with Frank Schiffman, owner and manager of the Apollo.
Only one of them knew what was written on those cards...

May 17-23, 1940: “Except to a tendency to blare, the crew is satisfactory”

What happened just before:

• April 8-May 5: (with NBC coast-to-coast broadcast twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday), Southland Café, Boston, MA

• May 15: Recording session, Liederkranz Hall, New York, NY

New York Age, May 18, 1940

Remark:

• 5 shows daily (plus midnight show on Saturday 18)

Orchestra:

(16) Mario Bauza, Dizzy Gillespie, Lammar Wright (trumpet), Tyree Glenn (trombone, vibraphone), Keg Johnson, Quentin Jackson (trombone), Jerry Blake (clarinet, alto saxophone), Hilton Jefferson (alto saxophone), Andrew Brown (clarinet, alto saxophone), Chu Berry, Walter Thomas (tenor saxophone), Bennie Payne (piano), Danny Barker (guitar), Milton Hinton (bass), Cozy Cole (drums).

Other performers and acts:

Avis Andrews, Stump & Stumpy, Matthews & Young, Six Cotton ClubBoys, House line

On screen:

Young As You Feel

Songs and tunes performed:

• The Man I Love (Avis Andrews, voc)
• Summertime (Avis Andrews, voc)
• Lover Come Back (Avis Andrews, voc)

Possible list:

Songs in the current repertoire:

• Paradiddle (Cozy Cole, featured on drums)

Songs recently recorded (on May 15):

• Calling All Bars
• Do I Care? No, No (Cab, voc)
• The Lone Arranger
• Feelin' Tip Top (Cab, voc)
• Topsy Turvy (Hard Times) (Cab, voc)
• Hi-De-Ho Serenade (Cab, voc)
• Who's Yehoodi? (Cab, voc)

Review:

• “Several redeeming moments in this bills, but too many interminable stretches make the general result merely so-so. Comedy and dance pair Stump and Stumpy, singer Avis Andrews and, at times, Cab Calloway’s band contribute entertainment, but the shoddy mixed house line clutters up the stage for too frequently. Also, the dancing Six Cotton Club Boys (New acts) are not yet smooth enough, and Mathews and Young provide noise instead of comedy. (…) Miss Andrews has an excellent voice, lively personality and an expressive, forceful manner of singing. But tastes may differ as to her material and the way she handles it. Audience at the show caught last Friday night (17) noisily enthused, which is apparently the important thing. However, Miss Andrews uses the most obvious tricks to get applause. Ballads such as The Man I love, Summer Time and, to a lesser extent, Lover Come Back are best when done simply. By hoking them up with operatic doodads and using that ancient device of building up a loud orchestral climax, she evokes immediate applause. But in doing so she ruins the numbers, because her ‘interpretation’ is contrary to the mood of the song.

Calloway band, consisting of six brasses (evenly split), five reeds, bass fiddle, guitar, drums and piano, has the leader in front in his usual white tails and continuing his familiar antics. It has added up to a successful combination for several years, and still does. Brasses are stressed in the arrangements, with Cozy Cole also getting numerous breaks on the skins. Except to a tendency to blare, the crew is satisfactory, particularly on the hot numbers. House was about three-fourth full at show caught.” (Hobe, Variety, May 22, 1940)

What’s happening during the week:

• May 16: Rumors that, as the Howard Theater in Washington DC, the Apollo is going to close for summer are denied by owner Frank Schiffman.

• No date: Cab is writing a swing symphony titled “Symphony in Swing Time”, hoping to introduce it soon at Carnegie Hall, and wants to submit it to Leopold Stokowski when completed (Afro-American, May 25, 1940). The project reported by the press through 1945 will never see the light of day.

What’s happening right after:

• May 25-26: State Theatre, Hartford, CT

• May 28 (8:30-0:30): Auditorium, Verdun, Quebec, CANADA

What happened just before:

• November 8-14: Week engagement, Adam Theatre, Newark, NJ

• November 15-21: with the Mills Brothers as added attraction, Earle Theatre, Philadelphia, PA

Apollo handbill

Remark:

• 5 shows daily (plus midnight show on Saturday 23)

Orchestra:

Mario Bauza, Dizzy Gillespie, Lammar Wright (trumpet), Tyree Glenn (trombone, vibraphone), Keg Johnson, Quentin Jackson (trombone), Jerry Blake (clarinet, alto saxophone), Hilton Jefferson (alto saxophone), Andrew Brown (clarinet, alto saxophone), Chu Berry, Walter Thomas (tenor saxophone), Bennie Payne (piano), Danny Barker (guitar), Milton Hinton (bass), Cozy Cole (drums).

The orchestra on the stage of the Apollo, November 1940
(Jam Session, Vol 1, No.1, January 1941 - Photo by Ray Levitt)

Other performers and acts:

Avis Andrews, Moke & Poke, Anise & Aland, Cotton Club Boys (6), The new Apollo Chorus (16)

On screen:

Mystery Sea Raider

Cab Calloway and Chu Berry soloing
on the stage of the Apollo (Nov 1940, source unknown)

Songs and tunes performed:

• Come On With the Come-On (Cab, voc)
• Are You Hep to the Jive (Cab, voc)
• St. James Infirmary Blues (Cab, voc)
• Only Forever (Cab, voc)
• Papa’s in Bed With His Britches On (Cab, voc)
• Hour of Parting (Cab, voc)
• Handful of Stars (Avis Andrews, voc)
• Night and Day (Avis Andrews, voc)

Fred Keg Johnson and Tyree Glenn on the stage of the Apollo
(Jam Session, Vol 1, No1, January 1941 - Photo Arsene Studio)

Possible list:

Songs in the current repertoire:

• A Bee Gezint
• Ut-ta-Day (The Tailor’s Song)

Songs recently recorded (on October 14, 1940):

• A Chicken Ain’t Nothing But A Bird (Cab, voc)
• The Worker’s Train (Cab, voc)
• North Of the Mohawk Trail
• Make Yourself At Home (Cab, voc)

New York Age, Nov 23, 1940

Review:

• “Cab Calloway, his band and specialty artists, plus Moke and Poke and Anise and Aland, are giving his house the slickest assortment of entertainment on tap in weeks. May be a bit topheavy on dancing, but makes up for that through yeoman work of veteran talent and full elimination of usual skits at this house Despite superlative stage show value for the Apollo, audience seldom warmed up to Calloway’s crew when caught on Monday Night. Lineup and routining of Calloway aggregation vary little from its show given last month at the Flatbush, Brooklyn. Moke and Poke, snappy tap and eccentric-stepping male team, are spotted in place of the Three Chocolateers. Also, the band is using more jive tunes. ‘Come On With the Come-On,’ ‘Are You Hep to the Jive’ and ‘St. James Infirmary’ are those in this category, last being done up plenty brown. Organization also using ‘Only Forever,’ ‘Papa’s in Bed,’ and ‘Hour of Parting’ for contrast. Calloway contributes a vocal to nearly every tune, the aud up here apparently not caring if he warbled or not. Cozy Cole, drummer with the crew, continues to be spotlighted with his endurance solo while the conga novelty finish sends ‘em away happy. Avis Andrews, topflight soprano, is a cleanup with ‘Handful of Stars’ and ‘Night and Day.’” (Wear., Variety, November 27, 1940)

What’s happening during the week:

• Cab Calloway is selected by sculptor Max Kalish for being part of a coast-to-coast exhibition of leaders in all the art fields. He poses for the sculptor between stage appearances at the Apollo.

The Message Magazine, May 1941

What’s happening right after:

•  November 30: along with Eddie Alexander orchestra, Gouverneur Street Boys annual charity Ball, Promenade Ballroom, Manhattan Center, New York, NY

• December 1: Lyric Theatre, Bridgeport, CT

December 27, 1940: Benefit for British people

At midnight until the wee hours of the morning, a Benefit revue to aid British people drove people to the Apollo. Along with Cab Calloway were the likes of Ethel Waters, Bill Robinson, Noble Sissle, Benny Carter and his Orchestra, Louis Armstrong, the Mills Brothers, Fats Waller, Andy Kirk, Mary Lou Williams, Ada Brown, Eubie Blake, Alberta Hunter, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Al Jolson, Benny Goodman…

What happened just before:

• October 30: Chu Berry died from the injuries in a car accident between two engagements. IN Lammar Wright’s car was also Andrew J. Brown, not severely injured.

• October 30 (8:30 pm): One-hour concert then three-hour dancing (5,000 attendants), Forum, Montreal, QC, CANADA

• October 31 (9 pm to 1 am): Halloween dance (3,500 attendants) (play:), Auditorium, Ottawa, CANADA

• November 1: Cab and his orchestra take a plane from Rochester to attend Chu Berry’s funeral in Wheeling, West Virginia

• November 3: Recording session, Columbia Studios, New York, NY

• November 3 (9pm to 10pm): Rally organized by the Colored Division of the Citizens’ Committee for the Re-election of Mayor La Guardia, Harlem, Colonial Park, New York, NY

• November 4 (afternoon): Visit to kids at Children’s Hospital Home. Cab sings “This Little Piggy” and “Chatanooga Choo Choo”, Avis Andrews accompanied by Benny Payne who also played boogy-woogy (sic).

• November 4-6: Stanley, Utica, NY

Apollo handbill

Remark:

• 5 shows daily (plus midnight show on Saturday 8)

Orchestra:

Jonah Jones, Russell Smith, Shad Collins, Lammar Wright (trumpet), Tyree Glenn, Quentin Jackson, Keg Johnson (trombone), Jerry Blake - alias Jacinto Chabani (clarinet, alto saxophone), Hilton Jefferson (alto saxophone), Andrew Brown (alto and baritone saxophone), Teddy McRae, Walter Foots Thomas (tenor saxophone), Bennie Payne (piano), Danny Barker (guitar), Milton Hinton (bass), Cozy Cole (drums) + The Palmer Brothers

• Teddy McRAE replaces Chu Berry on tenor sax.

• Trumpeter Russell SMITH (from Fletcher Henderson’s orchestra) has just joined the band.

• The PALMER Brothers just recorded with Cab Who Calls?

Other performers and acts:

Avis Andrews; Paul, Slim, & Eddie; Otto Eason, Palmer Brothers, Cab’s boys and Girls

On screen:

Two in a Taxi

Songs and tunes performed:

• Begin the Beguine (Avis Andrews, voc)
• Night and Day (Avis Andrews, voc)
• Geechy Joe (Cab, voc)
• Are You All Reet? (Cab, voc + 6 dancers)
• Blues In the Night (Cab + Palmer Brothers, voc)
• I See A Million People (Cab, voc)
• Who Calls? (Cab + Palmer Brothers, voc)
• A.G. Jive (Cozy Cole, drums, featured)

Possible list:

Songs in the current repertoire:

• Star Dust
• Nain-Nain

New York Amsterdam News, Nov 8, 1941

Reviews:

• “This is the kind of a stage show that makes you happy about jazz. It’s the tasteful sort of presentation that makes you wonder why others can be and are often so bad. For the sturdy musical values of Cab’s Harlem holiday were paraded forth in unending succession this evening, the band playing great arrangements in wonderful style with the showmanship of the proceedings always under smooth control. The component parts of this show were those of the Calloway unit which has been touring theatres during the past few months with such notable success. Only the elements of conventional comedy and a good girl singer were missing. A little of the former was supplied when the show’s nominal comedian sparred his jive vocabulary against Cab’s. Avis Andrews’ piercing, tuneless soprano supplied none of the latter with her breast-clutching, horse operatic renditions of the Beguine and Night and Day. But there was comedy in Cab’s uproarious sharpy costume for Geechy Joe, in Tyree Glenn’s kidding, verbal and gestural, from way back on the bandstand, and in the deft use of three pairs of hot dancers for Are You All Reet? And there was superb singing in Cab’s handling of three ballads.

That Jefferson Man! The ballads highspotted this program of highspots. Blues in The Night, I See A Million People and Who Call? were the songs. Cozy Cole’s magnificently moodful brushwork set the mood, and the exquisite sax blend that sprung from Hilton Jefferson’s leadership glued the mood in place. Cab’s lower register, used softly and against perfect slow tempi, was brilliantly contrasted with the high-pitched Palmer Brothers, a vocal quartet of fine musical quality, to leave even this apathetic audience thrice breathless.

There was some other marvelous stuff. Cozy Cole’s A.G. Jive was a lesson in drumming, using tom-toms, snares, bass drum and cymbals to extraordinary technical effect and to build up overpowering beats. There was some gorgeous sax-work again, and pretty bass too, back to a thin Benny Paine vocal and Jonah Jones, in rare form, made much of a small band (Cab Jivers) effort.

The show went sophisticated with its conga finale. But this afforded the girls of Cab’s sextet of suave dancer a chance to show off their smooth manipulation of bare midriffs and that got across where the music and the mood didn’t. And so, though you wished the tone at the end had been that of the middle or the beginning, you left the theatre happy about jazz in general and Cab Calloway’s band on the stage in particular.” (Barry Ulanov, Metronome, December 1941) [Note that no mention of the recent passing of Chu Berry is mentioned, neither his replacement, Teddy McRae]

• “Cab Is ‘Solid’ With His Harlem Public – Any show with Cab Calloway headlining the cast is sure to be a good one that rates plenty of applause, and that is what this week-s patrons of the Apollo are receiving. With the Hi-De-Ho man in the driver’s seat, the revue is fast throughout, sporting entertainment that runs the gamut of variety. Making one of his appearances in Harlem, Calloway shows as he puts his orck through their musical numbers and then steps up to the mike to solo a few vocal ones, why he’s still at the top of the list whenever favorite performers are discussed. Playing more than her share in helping to make this week-s offerings tops, is sweet-voiced Avis Andrews, a seasoned performer who can make you like her singing of popular tunes as well as when she contrast it with one from the book of the classical masters. (…)” (The Pittsburgh Courier, November 15, 1941)

What’s happening during the week:

• November 9: along with Benny Goodman, Harry James, Guy Lombardo, Jimmy Lunceford, Vaughn Monroe, Jimmy Lytell, Bobs Chester, Johnny Long, Adrian Rollini Trio, Zeke Manners and his Gang, Andrews Sisters, Korn Kobbers, Fred Waring, Vincent Lopez and Raymond Paige’s Young Americans, James J. Walker MC, Benefit show for British-American Ambulance Corps, “Name Band Jubilee”, Manhattan Center, 34^th st.-8^th av., New York, NY

• November 12 ca: Attends a Rally dfor the reelection campaign of Mayor La Guardia, Colonial Park, Harlem, New York, NY

• November 12 ca: Cab “renewed his contract with Cab Calloway, Inc., of which the following are officers: Irving Mills, president, Cab Calloway, vice-president and secretary; William H. Mittler, treasurer; Samuel Jesse Buzzell, counsel.” (Variety, November 19, 1941)

• No date:  Cab, “Sophie Tucker, Milton Berle, Betty Bruce, Romeo Vincent, Phil Baker are mentioned to head a new committee aimed at entertaining soldiers and sailors of foreign countries visiting New York”. (Daily News, November 5, 1941)

What’s happening right after:

• November 19: 15-minute meeting with Governor Lehman, Capitol, Washington, DC

• November 21-December 2: –Rainbo Room (with: Anise and Allard and the Four Palmer Brothers), Kenmore Hotel, Albany, NY

What happened just before:

• July 21: The movie Stormy Weather is released all over the USA with rave reviews and great success.

• August or September: Pianist Benny PAYNE marries Doris O’Neal (no exact date found)

• September 13-15: Plymouth Theatre, Worcester, MA

• September 16-22: Adams Theatre, Newark, NJ

Daily News, September 23, 1943

Remark:

• There was no engagement there for Cab in 1942

• 5 shows daily (plus midnight show on Saturday 25)

Orchestra:

Probably: Lammar Wright, Russell Smith, Shad Collins, Jonah Jones (trumpet), Tyree Glenn,

Quentin Jackson, Keg Johnson (trombone), Hilton Jefferson, Andrew Brown, Illinois Jacquet, Al Gibson, Greely Walton (reeds), Bennie Payne (piano), Danny Barker (guitar), Milt Hinton (bass), J. C. Heard (drums).

“Fay CANTY becomes first feminine singer with Cab Calloway’s orchestra” (Variety, September 15, 1943)

“Blanche BOWMAN is part of Cab Calloway’s unit” (Chicago Defender, Sept 18, 1943), but she remains unknown to us, other than she married Charlie Shavers, from John Kirby’s band, in 1943. Her name doesn’t appear on bills nor in reviews.

Other performers and acts:

3 Chocolateers, Fay Canty, Cholly & Dottie, Ralph Brown, Cab Calloway’s Rug Cutters

On screen:

The Black Raven

Songs and tunes performed:

• Minnie The Moocher
• Rhythm Cocktail (Illinois Jacquet, tenor sax featuring)
• People Will Say We’re In Love (Fay Canty, voc)
• I Heard You Cried Last Night (Cab, voc)
• Jumpin’ Jive (Cab, voc)
• Right Kind of Love (Dotty Saulters, voc)
• St. Louis Blues (Cab, voc)
• You’ll Never Know (Cab, voc)

New York Amsterdam News, September 25, 1943

Review:

From Variety, September 29 1943:

• “They’re jumpin’ with jive this sesh at the Apollo in Harlem, ‘cause Cab Calloway, alumnus of the Cotton Club and Connie’s Inn, is back in that sector giving out solid in a manner that has the hepcats talking to themselves. The creator of ‘Hi-de-ho’ and scat singing looks set to shatter previous house records at the uptowner. From opening day (24) there was a steady line making for that welcome jingle jangle at the b.o. At the night shows the crowds were even larger, not only taxing capacity but deep in standees on all floors. A show that is paced only second to Man o’ War, Calloway, an astute showman with plenty in his bag of tricks, gives them everything – and fast.

Opening with ‘Minnie The Moocher’ theme, the orch follows into ‘Rhythm Cocktail,’ plenty torrid and spotlighting Illinois Jacquet in a tenor sax obligato that’s out-of-this-world for the hepsters. Fay Kanty (sic: Canty) then takes over with vocal of ‘People Will Say,’ which sets her pretty with the outfronters. Ga, new with the band, is personable but needs better control. A bit nervous now, but she will probably overcome this later. Charlie & Dotty, mixed duo, follow with crack tapstering.

Calloway and band take it from there with a brace of numbers. ‘I Heard You Cried Last Night’ and ‘Jumpin’ Jive,’ both of which has the house rockin’ and the mob solid with applause. Calloway vocals the former and works hard throughout. It’s all plenty loud, with accent on the brasses, but up here it seems the louder the better. Ralph Brown spots neat danceology in next niche, with classy hoofing in the nonchalant manner. The ease with which he works presages the lad’s been around and surely knows his way in the hoofing division.

Band takes over for ‘Right Kind of Love” with diminutive Dotty Saltis (sic: Saulters) doing okay by the vocal segueing into a jump version of ‘St. Louis Blues,’ with Calloway clowning at breakneck speed and band members taking spotlight for individual specialties, which all add up to click results. The Cab Jivers featuring J.C. Heard on percussions, and Jonah Jones’ hot trumpet give out with another jam session that has the house rockin’ again and practically bringing it down with applause response. Band takes over for ‘You’ll Never Know,’ with Calloway handling the vocal, making way for Paul, Dinky & Eddie, the Three Chocolateers, for a sesh of comedy terping that panies for laughs, although incorporating legit hoofing. The dame but especially is a howl. Mob can’t get enough of them and off to solid applause. Finale as everybody on for a last number in which quintet of gals lend musicomedy touch to proceedings.

Calloway crowds his stuff into a fast 60-minutes sans encores, with his specialists giving them enough without cliffhanging. This formula cant’ miss anywhere and it’s a cinch the Apollo wickets will be turning fast and plenty for the remainder of Calloway’s stay here.”

What’s happening right after:

• October 3 (9:15-9:45 pm): Broadcast on WNBC and affiliates, presented by the Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street (other guests: Jerry Cooper; Soap Symphony orchestra led by Paul Lavalle), sponsored by Woodbury Facial Soap, ABC Studios, New York, NY

• October 7-13: RKO Palace Theatre, Albany, NY

What happened just before:

• Tenor sax Illinois JACQUET has just quitted Cab while in Los Angeles, after the filming of Sensations of 1945. He’s replaced by Ike QUEBEC

• April 27-May 4: with the same show, RKO, Boston, MA

Unidentified clipping

Remark:

• 5 shows daily (plus midnight show on Saturday 6)

Orchestra:

Probably: Lammar Wright, Russell Smith, Shad Collins, Jonah Jones (trumpet), Tyree Glenn, Quentin Jackson, Keg Johnson (trombone), Hilton Jefferson, Andrew Brown, Ike Quebec, Al Gibson, Greely Walton (reeds), Dave Rivera (p), Danny Barker (g), Milt Hinton (b), J. C. Heard (d)

• Four new musicians announced: Paul Webster, trumpet + Dave Rivera as pianist (Benny Payne engaged in the Army), one saxophone and one trombone (Baltimore Afro American, May 16 1944). We haven’t been able to find if they were already on the bandstand during the week at the Apollo.

Other performers and acts:

3 Chocolateers, Dotty Saulters, Holmes & Jean, Claudia Oliver, the Cabalettes, Johnny Taylor, Cab Jivers

On screen:

Unidentified movie feature for that week

Songs and tunes performed:

Possible list:

Songs in the current repertoire:

• I’ll Be Around
• Virginia, Georgia, Carolina

Review:

• Written for the RKO Boston show, the week before the Apollo engagement, with the very same program: “Standard layout for Cab Calloway and a fairly routine performance at that. (…) Two band numbers follow in a more satisfactory vein [than Johnny Taylor’s number]. (…) Dorothy Saulter sings jive tunes to okay response; the Calloway girls unlace a stenuous jitter session, and the Chocolateers wind up with usual knock-out stuff, to click big. Audience went big for instrumental soloists in band, giving each big hand before and after stint.” (Elie, Variety, May 3, 1944)

What’s happening during the week:

• 8: Cab Calloway and Cozy Cole are guests at the Downbeat Club, New York, NY

What’s happening right after:

•  May 12-18 – Howard Theatre, Washington, DC

October 19-25, 1945: Pearl’s big time

What happened just before:

• October 12-18: (4 shows per day, except on Sunday 14?) – along with Dotty Saulters and Pearl Bailey (both from Philadelphia), Moke & Poke join the troupe, Earle’s Theatre, Philadelphia, PA

• October 14: Stanley, Camden, NJ

• No date: Bob Dorsey probably replaces Andrew J. Brown on sax.

New York Amsterdam News, October 20, 1945

Remark:

• 5 shows daily (plus midnight show on Saturday 20)

Orchestra:

(18) Probably:

Cab Calloway And His Orchestra: Paul Webster, Russell Smith, Shad Collins, Jonah Jones, Roger Jones (tp), Tyree Glenn, Quentin Jackson, Keg Johnson, Fred Robinson (tb), Hilton Jefferson, Bob Dorsey, Ike Quebec, Al Gibson, Rudy Powell (reeds), Dave Rivera (p), Danny Barker (g), Milt Hinton (b), Buford Oliver (d), Cab Calloway (voc & dir).

• Oliver Buford may have replaced J.C. Heard on drums during that gig.

Other performers and acts:

Dottie Saulters, Moke & Poke, 3 Poms, and, as added attraction, Pearl Bailey

On screen:

The Fatal Witness

Songs and tunes performed:

• Minnie the Moocher (Cab, voc)
• Kicking the Gong Around (Cab, voc)
• Jumpin’ Jive (Cab, voc)
• Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe (Dottie Saulters, voc)
• Caldonia (Dottie Saulters with Cab, voc)
• Straighten Up and Fly Right (Pearl Bailey, voc)
• St. Louis Blues (Pearl Bailey, voc)
• Fifteen Years (I’m Still Serving Time) (Pearl Bailey, voc)
• Don’t Blame Me
• Maybe It’s Dinah
• If This Isn’t Love (Cab, voc)

Review:

• “Combo box office stimulants in the form of Cab Calloway and Pearl Bailey should keep the wickets turning here. The Cab is showmanship all the way. (…) From curtain up to curtain down, he’s the best feature of every act, and he’s that away so smoothly that he adds to, rather than detract from the quality of the performers. (…) Dottie Saulters warbles ‘Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe’ and ‘Caldonia,’ duetting the latter with Cab, and then doing a smart but effective jitterbug pantomime with him. (…) Calloway’s bands does a good job of backing up the acts and earns laurels of its own in a mellow arrangement of ‘Don’t Blame Me.’ It also gets in some hep licks on a number called ‘Maybe It’s Dinah.’ And blends gracefully with Cab’s artful vocalizing of his own creation, ‘If This Isn’t Love.’” (Variety, October 25, 1945.)

What’s happening during the week:

• October 26 (10:30 pm): Guest on Bill Stern’s radio show, Sports Newsreel

What’s happening right after:

• October 27 (8:30 pm): Halftime concert (with ork or backed by 65-piece Tuskegee Band) during match between Army Warhawks and North Carolina College Eagles, Griffith Stadium, Tuskegee, AL

May 3-9, 1946: "Jive of the oldtime, knock-‘em-dead variety"

What happened just before:

• April 25-May 1: with Moke and Poke, Dottie Saulters, the Three Poms, Peters Sisters, Adams Theatre, Newark, NJ

• April 29: with singing MC John Conte, Teen Timer Show Broadcast, Kresge, Newark Radio Theater, over WEAF or WAAT, Newark, NJ

• April 29: Celebration of 60th birthday in show business of Bill Bojangles Robinson (other artists included: W. C. Handy, Noble Sissle…), Café Zanzibar, New York, NY. Cab offers a gold dice loaded to run only 7’s and 11’s.

New York Age, May 4, 1946

Remark:

• 5 shows daily (plus midnight show on Saturday XX)

Orchestra:

Probably (personal from May 13): Russell Smith, Jonah Jones, Shad Collins, Roger Jones (trumpet), Tyree Glenn, Keg Johnson, Earl Hardy, Quentin Jackson (trombone), Hilton Jefferson, Robert Dorsey (alto sax), Al Gibson, Ike Quebec (tenor sax), Rudy Powell (clarinet, alto sax, baritone), Benny Payne (piano), Danny Barker or successor John Smith (guitar), Milt Hinton (bass), ?? (drums – several discographies report that Cozy Cole is on drums, which I don’t believe)

• Benny Payne has come back from the Army and will stay with the band for a few months

• Singer and dancer Dottie Saulters is supposed to have left Cab’s orchestra (as announced by press on May 4).

Other performers and acts:

3 Peters Sisters, Moke & Doke, Dottie Saulters, 3 Poms, All Americans

On screen:

Unidentified movie

Songs and tunes performed: [links to songs on Spotify]

Possible list:

Songs in the current repertoire (from a previous engagement the week before):

• Minnie The Moocher (Cab, voc)
• The Ghost of Smokey Joe (Cab, voc)
• Sho Fly Pie (Cab, voc)
• Hay-Baba-Re-Bob (Cab, voc)
• The Honey Dripper (Cab, voc)
• Minerva (instrumental trio)
• Cab Jiving (The 7 Cab Jivers)
• Don’t Blame Me (Tyree Glenn)
• Gotta Be This or That (voc Peters Sisters)
• Rainy Sunday (voc Peters Sisters)
• I Got Rhythm (voc Peters Sisters)

Reviews:

• None found for this engagement but Variety published a very severe one about the previous week at the Adams Theatre in Newark, with the same cast, and probably almost the same program:

“Jive of the oldtime, knock-‘em-dead variety is on hand in this uneven setup. Cab Calloway concentrates more on his personality projection, with its eccentric leaps and jitterbugging, than on producing solid rhythmical effects. The orchestra didn’t seep up yo par at the opening show. The start is the bill’s lamest part. This section deals ou “Hi-de-hi” and “Smokey Joe” stuff all over the place, but the expected audience antiphony isn’t worth a papier maché razor. Emphasis on sniffing or smoking the stuff is fairly unfortunate. Better things emerge when the numbers become more up-to-date. Maestro does a fine job on “Sho Fly Pie,” and his “Hay-Baba-Re-Bob” rates similar honors. Another newie, “Honey Drippers” lacks warmth but has lots of drive. A novelty, “Minerva,” features an instrumental trio with nice harmonies. The Cab Jivers, a septet of sidemen play New Orleans style in a piece called “Cab Jiving.” Tyree Glenn, trombonist, plays “Don’t Blame Me” in the season’s slowest tempo. Peters Sisters, looking like a range of mountains, get in some hot licks with “Gotta Be This or That,” “Rainy Sunday” and “I Got Rhythm.” Moke and Poke flounce around the stage in an amiable, footless fashion. The Three Palms put on some fast tapping.”

What’s happening during the week:

• Nothing to relate

What’s happening right after:

• May 10-12: State Theatre, Hartford, CT

• May 13: Recording Session, New York, NY

• May 18: Cab Calloway appears on the cover of trade magazine Billboard

What happened just before:

• Club Zanzibar’s engagement has just ended on September 19 (Started on June 26)

• The band probably had a week of vacation

• 21 – Commercial Broadcast: “TeenTimers Club”, NBC Studios, New York, along with Gene Krupa

• 23 – Guest appearance on CBS Jack Smith radio show, Chicago, IL

New York Age, September 28, 1946

Remark:

• 5 shows daily (plus midnight show on Saturday 28)

• Touring revue titled “Jumpin’ Jive Jubilee of 1946”

Orchestra:

Probably: Russell Smith, Jonah Jones, Shad Collins, Roger Jones (tp), Tyree Glenn, Keg Johnson, Earl Hardy, Quentin Jackson (tb), Hilton Jefferson, Robert Dorsey (as), Al Gibson, Ike Quebec (ts), Rudy Powell (cl, as, bar), Benny Payne (p), John ‘Xerxes’ Smith (g), Milt Hinton (b), Buford Oliver (dm), Cab Calloway (vo, ldr).

Other performers and acts:

3 Peters Sisters, Miller Brothers & Lois, Moke & Doke, All Americans

Daily News, September 28, 1946

On screen:

Danger Woman

Songs and tunes performed:

• Zanzibeaut (instrumental with alto sax Hilton Jefferson featured)
• Danny Boy (instrumental with alto sax Hilton Jefferson featured)
• Night and Day (long instrumental + Cab, voc)
• Fiesta in Brass (instrumental with tenor sax Ike Quebec featured)
• I Got the Sun in the Morning (Peters Sisters, voc)
• They Didn’t Believe Me (one of the Peters Sisters, voc)
• I Got a Girl Named Nettie (Cab, voc)
• Hey Now, Hey Now (Cab, voc)
• St. James Infirmary Blues (Cab, voc)

Cab backstage at the Apollo, photographed by William Gottlieb,
and captioned “Busy making with a gal named Nettie”

Review:

• “Cab Calloway’s revue, fresh from Broadway’s Club Zanzibar, furnishes acceptable fodder for this week’s sesh at Harlem’s vaudefilm flagship. Some 16 years have slipped by since the Cab left the old Cotton Club and his royal highness of hi-de-ho is still in their swingin’. Band, comprising eight brass, five reed and four rhythm, opens with a noisy tune, “Zanzibeaut,” then Hilton Jefferson comes off the stand to toot a nifty sax solo of “Danny Boy.” Garners a nice mitt. (…) Band scores with a semi-concert arrangement of “Night and Day.” Calloway vocals the chorus in a lusty voice. Practically every instrument is spotted for a solo. Unusually sweet for Calloway, orch swings into a punchy finale to the Porter number which draws plenty of palm-whacks. Outfit also goes to town with “Fiesta in Brass,” which features a torrid sax solo, and Calloway sparkles with his furious stick-swishing and familiar capers. (…) [After their number, the Peters Sisters join Cab for] a comic routine (…) participating in some stepping with the stoutest gal and winds up pursuing her across the stage. Registered solid with house. (…) Calloway doing a switch on zoot suits, fronts the band in what he calls a “rebop” suit. Oversized dark coat and trousers are draped about the maestro while he sports a cap on his noggin and a long flowing watch chain from his midriffs. Large white buttons on coat make outfit even more ludicrous. Stick-swisher vocals “I Got A Gal Named Nettie,” “Hey Now” and closes with a modern arrangement of the old standard “St. James Infirmary Blues.” Chants chorus bathed in green spot which makes for a macabre touch. Brings back all acts for a final bow. Biz strong as usual.” (Variety, Oct 12, 1946).

What’s happening during the week:

• At this time, Frank Sinatra and Cab are involved together “to aid race relations”, “planning to establish a radio scholarship in American colleges for the best original half-hour radio script stressing the idea of tolerance for all races and religions” (Cleveland Call and Post, September 28, 1946).

What’s happening right after:

• October 4-10 – Howard Theatre, Washington, DC

• October 11-17 – Royal Theatre, Baltimore, MD

• October 18-24 – Earle Theatre, Philadelphia, PA

May 2-8, 1947: Open the door, Cab!

What happened just before:

• April 1 – Former trumpetist with Cab (1945) Freddie Webster dies in Chicago

• April 4-24 – Strand Theatre, New York, NY

April 6 – “Hi De Ho” film premiere, Downtown Columbia Theatre, Detroit, MI

• May 1 – Recording session, Columbia Studios, New York, NY

New York Amsterdam News, May 3, 1947

Remark:

• 5 shows daily (plus midnight show on Saturday 3)

• Touring revue of Cab

Orchestra: eight brass, five sax, and four rhythm

Probably: Russell Smith, Jonah Jones, Shad Collins, Roger Jones (tp), Tyree Glenn, Keg Johnson, Earl Hardy, Quentin Jackson (tb), Hilton Jefferson, Robert Dorsey (as), Al Gibson, Ike Quebec (ts), Rudy Powell (cl, as, bar), Benny Payne (p), John ‘Xerxes’ Smith (g), Milt Hinton (b), Panama Francis (dm), Cab Calloway (vo, ldr).

Other performers and acts:

Ravens, Miller Brothers & Lois, Dusty Fletcher as added attraction

On screen:

Not identified

Songs and tunes performed:

• Summertime (instrumental)
• Sunday in Savannah (Cab, voc)
• A Good Day (featuring Jonah Jones, voc)
• Hi-De-Ho Man (That’s Me) (Cab, voc)
• Oh! Grandpa (Cab, voc)
• Open the Door, Richard (duet with Dusty Fletcher and Cab, voc)

Possible list:

Songs recently recorded (on February 3):

• Necessity (Cab, voc)

Songs recently recorded (on May 1):

• Give Me Twenty Nickels For A Dollar (Cab, voc)
• The Jungle King (Cab, voc)

Reviews:

Written for the Strand show, the week before the Apollo engagement, with the very same program:

• “While his almost every move can be anticipated – after 15 years – this guy is still delivering entertainment. And as for the box office, his name by now can be classed with the best in so far as circulation of it is concerned. He’s just about an institution. Working with one standard dance turn – Miller Bros. & Lois – an a new vocal quartet and Dusty Fletcher, one of the lads who can be blamed for “Open the Door, Richard” if anyone is looking for a scapegoat, Calloway puts on a very pleasant show. It won’t knock anyone from a seat, but it will satisfy them nicely. Following the usual bandshow pattern, Calloway opens with a heavy handed arrangement of “Summertime” – or at least that’s what it’s said to be. Cab hasn’t another name for it, but he sure has another melody. However, it serves. He follows immediately with an old writing of his, titled “Sunday in Savannah,” a semiserious piece nicely staged and performed. Later, the band, a spirited, satisfying combo of eight brass, five sax, and four rhythm, puts on an excellently worked out portion of “A Good Day,” with Jonah Jones vocalling. Calloway or the band doesn’t take another shot at the spot until the leader’s “Hi-De-Ho Man” and “Ol Grampaw” tricked up via a ’47 model zoot suit on the leader. Whole idea is one of his favorite standbys and it clicks solidly. (…) [Dusty Fletcher] doesn’t do “[Open the Door,] Richard” melodically until the finale with Calloway. (Variety, April 9, 1947)

• “Never a dull moment during this show from the moment Cab Calloway opens with his band until de final curtain. Show is fast-paced all the way, with plenty of voom-voom. Calloway carries the ball with a healthy assist from Dusty Fletcher. Bandleader shone in a specialty, Hi De Ho Man (That’s Me), in the middle spot. For this, Calloway came on wearing a black suit with a yard-long key chain, doing a cute little biz of skipping over the chain as he came on. Number is a comedy piece with a community pitch from the house, the ork leader breaking in with a funny “cut” order after every few measures for good effect. Band’s arrangement of “Summertime” opener was overdone, and the melody was hardly recognizable thruout, sounding like anything but the Gershwin tune. Second number, Sunday in Savannah, ran to the opposite extreme with an undistinguished arrangement. Number closes with a nice effect by dimming the stage lights on the final measure.” (Don Marshall, Billboard, April 12, 1947)

What’s happening during the week:

• Cab is featured in the Afro American magazine Our World, May 1947, “20 Years of Hi-De-Ho”

• 6 – Cab Calloway is the guest of the “Jack Smith Show”, WCBS radio

What’s happening right after:

• May 6 – Cab Calloway is the guest of the “Jack Smith Show”, WCBS

• May 9 – Opening of the movie “Hi De Ho”, Squire Theatre (Cab’s presence is not confirmed), New York, NY

• May 9 – Savoy, Chicago, IL

What happened just before:

• The movie “Hi De Ho” has been released and is screened nationwide

• August 29-September 4 – Howard Theater with the same show, Washington, DC

• September 1 (10:05 am): Cab is interviewed by Howard Williams on WINX and WINX-FM, Washington, DC.

• September 5-11: unknown details

New York Age, September 13, 1947

Remark:

• 5 shows daily (plus midnight show on Saturday XX)

Orchestra:

15 (4 rhythm, 5 saxes, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones), probably: Ed Mullins, Jonah Jones, Johnny Letman (tp), James Buxton, Keg Johnson, Quentin Jackson (or Earl Hardy?) (tb); Hilton Jefferson, Rudy Powell, Charles Frazier, Al Gibson, Sam The Man Taylor (reeds); Dave Rivera (p); John Smith (g); Milt Hinton (b), Panama Francis (d)

Singer Mary Louise, band vocalist

Payroll stub for veteran bassist Milt Hinton

Other performers and acts:

Stump & Stumpy, Berry Brothers, Count and Countess Leroy

On screen:

Spoilers of the North

Songs and tunes performed:

• Summertime
• She’s Funny That Way (Cab, voc)
• My Desire (Mary Louise, voc)
• I Want To Be Loved (Mary Louise, voc)
• Minnie The Moocher (Cab, voc)
• I’ve Got a Girl Named Nettie (Cab, voc)

Photos and collage by Gordon Anderson,
taken at the Apollo on September 12, 1947
(source: Sight Readings)

Review:

“Apollo looks set for a bullish week of draught of Cab Calloway’s orchestra. Maestro and sidemen give out with the lively arrangements and vocals that have long bee, standards with the combo and particularly delectable to audiences at this house. This trip is no exception. Musickers, comprising four rhythm, five saxes, three trumpets ad three trombones, carry major burden of the 60-minute show. They teeoff with sizzling arrangement of ‘Summertime’, and for change of pace segue into ballad, ‘She’s Funny That Way,’ with Calloway pepping up the vocal. Jonah Jones, saxist (sic: he’s a trumpeter), also chimes in for some hot licks. (…) Mary Louise, band vocalist, gives out with sultry versions of ‘My Desire’ and ‘I Want to Be Loved( to fair reception, giving way to the Berry Brothers (…). Calloway follows with his ‘Minnie the Moocher,’ with maestro on vocal, for audience participation stunt. Follow with another solid number, “I’ve Got a Gal Named Nettie,” which really send them. Bands arrangements are solid all the way. They’re particularly a push-over with this audience.” (Edba, Variety, September 17, 1947)

Schiffman’s commentary:

[Salary:] $7,930.27

What’s happening during the week:

• September 13 (8:30 pm): Guest with Ella Fitzgerald, Radio show Harlem Hospitality Club, Mutual, New York, NY

What’s happening right after:

•  September 19-21 – Newberry’s State Theatre, Hartford, CT

February 20-26, 1948: A Rhythm cocktail

What happened just before:

• February 6-10 – Club Hi-Top, Chester, PA

• February 11-17 – with full orchestra (16), Mary Louise, The Berry Brothers, Apus & Estrellita, Berk and Hallow, Adams Theatre (2,000 seats), Newark, NJ

New York Age, February 21, 1948

Remark:

• 5 shows daily (plus midnight show on Saturday 26)

Orchestra:

Probably: Ed Mullins, Jonah Jones, Johnny Letman (tp), James Buxton, Keg Johnson, Quentin Jackson, Earl Hardy (tb); Hilton Jefferson, Rudy Powell, Charles Frazier, Al Gibson, Sam The Man Taylor (reeds); Dave Rivera (p); John Smith (g); Milt Hinton (b), Panama Francis (d)

Singer Mary Louise, band vocalist

Other performers and acts:

Berry Brothers, Apus & Estrellita, Berk & Howell

On screen:

Unidentified so far

Songs and tunes performed:

• Calloway’s Boogie (Cab, voc)
• One For My Baby (Cab, voc)
• Sailing Down to Panama (featuring drummer Panama Francis)
• Wildest Gal in Town (Mary Louise, voc)
• The Gentleman Is a Dope (Mary Louise, voc)
• St. James Infirmary Blues (Cab, voc)
• Rhythm Cocktail (featuring Sam ‘The Man’ Taylor, tenor sax)

Review:

“Periodic appearance of Cab Calloway’s orchestra at the Apollo always spells a big week for this Harlem vauder, and current date is no exception. Energetic maestro vocalist pulls all the stops to keep ‘em jive happy throughout the 70-minutee stanza. In addition to the band, the maestro also carries his own sepia revue, with exception of Berk and Hallow, ofay [white] terping act. Band, comprising four rhythm, five saxes, three trombones and three trumpets, open with a sizzling workout of ‘Cab’s Boogie’ (sic for Calloway Boogie). It segues into sweet stuff on ‘One For My Baby’ with Calloway on the vocal to set things in a pretty groove. Then Panama Francis bangs out some torrid skin-beating on ‘Sailing Down To Panama,’ just what the doctor ordered for the usual jive-happy audience here. It all combines for a neat buildup for Mary Louise, band vocalist, who sends ‘em with sultry versions of ‘Wildest Gal in Town’ and ‘The Gentleman is a Dope’ to garner nice returns. (…) Band takes over again and Calloway whams again with his impresh of one of his yesteryear hits, ‘St. James Infirmary Blues.’ (…) Band follows with ‘Rhythm Cocktail’ with Sam Taylor, tenor saxist, spotlighted for some hep hoofing.” (Ebda, Variety, February 25, 1948)

Daily News, February 19, 1948

Schiffman’s commentary:

[Salary] $9,289.51

What’s happening during the week:

• Nothing to be related

What’s happening right after:

•  28-?? – Private vacation trip for a week in Cuba with Nuffie; during his stay, Cab attends a baseball match, Stadium Tropical, La Havana

• March 8-9 – Chez Maurice Danceland, Montreal, QC, CANADA

April 22-28, 1949: A 7-piece band… to be considered

What happened just before:

• “Cab Calloway is recuperating after a near critical tonsillectomy” operated on April 1 in New York (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 11, 1949)

• April 15-21: with the 7-piece Cab Jivers, Howard Theatre, Washington, DC

New York Age, April 23, 1949

Remark:

• 5 shows daily (plus midnight show on Saturday 23)

Orchestra:

7-piece orchestra, probably:

Singer Mary Louise, supposed to have quit the band appears to be still part of the show.

Other performers and acts:

Tiny Davis & Her Band, Herb Lance, Johnny Hudgins, Alston & Young

On screen:

Unidentified

Songs and tunes performed: 

Possible list:

Songs in the current repertoire:

• Baby, It's Cold Outside (to be recorded on May 5, as a duet with Eugenie Baird)
• The Huckle-Buck (to be recorded on May 5)

Reviews:

• No review found so far

Schiffman’s commentary:

[Gross:] $3,500.00.

“Seven-piece band. A return engagement will be considered on the basis of what transpires in the future.”

What’s happening during the week:

• Cab Calloway is interviewed by Mark Barron. Article published in Rocky Mount Telegram, dated April 26, 1949:

“Cab Calloway, the long, thin orchestra leader – so long and thin he can almost twist himself into a $$$ sign as he weaves his body in front of his orchestra – says he wants to leave his orchestra for a while and appear as an individual performer. Cab has been doing a long time now as the tops in heigh-de-ho scat. He thinks it’s time for a change.

“I want to do something as an individual performer,” he says, “but I keep going with my orchestra because I have been doing it such a long time and because I find that my audiences are constantly changing. You know something I realized the other day? (…) I’ve been doing Minnie The Moocher since 1930. We’ll be getting up a silver wedding anniversaè Minnie and me, almost before I realize it.”

What’s happening right after:

• April 29 (for a week engagement probably): with a 7-piece group, along with Peggy Thomas, Royal Theatre, Baltimore, MD

• April 26-May 9: Music Bowl, Chicago, IL (announced in Down Beat, March 25, 1949)

• May 10: Cab is supposed to start his own TV program for NBC. It will be canceled on the very last minute (read our article)

• In 1949, Cab Calloway's Flip-O-Vision is released. Read our article about this funny flipbook.

Read Part 3: The Fifties and the last tentatives