Now forgotten and eclipsed by Milt Hinton, his brilliant successor in Calloway’s orchestra, Albert ‘Al’ MORGAN (August 19, 1908, New Orleans – April 14, 1974, Los Angeles), however, benefits from the image of an exceptional double bass player, considered… Read the full story →
It takes a collector’s serendipity to find a clue about a movie nobody ever saw. When opening a program dated with pencil by the original owner “November 14, 1947,” we found at the penultimate page a mysterious photo with a… Read the full story →
Leroy Maxey, Part 2 Read the full story →
The Apollo Theater in Harlem is a milestone in the showbusiness’ landscape. Not only for jazz but also for soul, pop, rock, rap, comedy, dance and amateur performances. This venue who has revealed to the world artists like Ella… Read the full story →
Mae Diggs was a singer, dancer, drummer, bandleader, composer and producer. She sang popular songs of the day, sultry blues numbers, and her own compositions. She danced, usually solo on stage, with sexy, exotic moves dressed in a variety of costumes… Read the full story →
In 1965 Cab Calloway appeared in a superb dramatic supporting role in the Steve McQueen film The Cincinnati Kid. Based on a best-selling novel, the movie was a wonderful opportunity for Cab to show his assets in poker, since he was himself… Read the full story →
“Hi De Ho” is a Vitaphone movie released on February 20, 1937 by Warner Bros in the Melody Masters Series, that wonderfully demonstrates the musical qualities and stage persona of Cab Calloway and his musicians. But there’s more to know about… Read the full story →
“Recognized as a ‘natural’ for television, Cab has made several test performances before the television cameras” states The Macon News dated February 2, 1947. But Cab Calloway’s first known TV appearance is only dated a few weeks before, on January 17, 1947 between… Read the full story →
Among the cameos Cab Calloway did in several movies, this one for Manhattan Merry-Go-Round remains quite obscure and barely appears in people’s minds when talking about jazz on screen. Yet, this short sequence within a mediocre “filmusical” produced by the low budget… Read the full story →
Crowned “The King”, inspired by King Oliver, leader of his own band for a while, famous for composing Jitterbug, noted soloist on muted trumpet and high notes, Edwin Swayze is a musician who deserves to be rediscovered for his intense career… Read the full story →