Data Source

National Portrait Gallery

Exhibition Label

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

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

See more items in

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Exhibition

Bravo!

On View

NPG, South Gallery 321 Mezzanine

Object number

NPG.99.103

Topic

Costume\Dress Accessory\Tie\Necktie

Cab Calloway: Male

Cab Calloway: Literature\Writer

Cab Calloway: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician

Cab Calloway: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Songwriter

Cab Calloway: Performing Arts\Performer\Dancer

Cab Calloway: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Singer\Jazz

Portrait

Restrictions & Rights

© Estate of Domenico Facci