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Cab Calloway

Object Details

Exhibition Label
Born Rochester, New York
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!
Provenance
Artist’s widow, Penny Edwards-Facci; gift to NPG 1999
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Artist
Domenico Facci, 2 Feb 1916 - 6 Nov 1994
Sitter
Cab Calloway, 25 Dec 1907 - 18 Nov 1994
Date
1959
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Penny Edwards-Facci
Medium
Patinated hydrocal
Dimensions
With Base: 45.7 x 18.1 x 17.8cm (18 x 7 1/8 x 7")
Without Base: 31.8 x 18.1 x 17.8cm (12 1/2 x 7 1/8 x 7")
Mount: 14 x 14cm (5 1/2 x 5 1/2")
Type
Sculpture

Featured In

  • Jazz in the Collections
  • Musicians as Art
  • Jazzed About Art:Jazzed About Art
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