Chu Berry

Cabell “Cab“ Calloway III (Dec. 25, 1907 – Nov. 18, 1994) was one of the most famous black stars in the 1930s-40s.

He was a (underrated) vocalist, performer and bandleader of one of the most popular African American big bands during that era with the Cotton Club as his home stage.

Cab Calloway was known to hire the best musicians and pay them top wages. He was convinced that when he had top sidemen it made him look good.

His sidemen included such great musicians as trumpeters Doc Cheatham, Dizzy Gillespie and Jonah Jones, tenor saxophonists Ben Webster, Chu Berry, Illinois Jacquet, Ike Quebec and Sam Taylor, pianist Bennie Payne, guitarist Danny Barker, bassist Milt Hinton, drummer Cozy Cole, and others.

I highly recommend to watch the Cab Calloway documentary «Sketches» (1 hour).

At The Clambake Carnival

The song starts at 1:33. The sound quality is poor but you get the idea ;).

Because Cab Calloway isn't singing in that song, it's not so obvious that it's by him and his orchestra.

«At The Clambake Carnival» is a lightly swinging tune with a simple base rhythm. Therefore it's also very suitable for (Balboa) beginner classes.

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B000QZYYS8″ locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61P9HsPO1DL._SL160_.jpg» width=»160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B000QNZMDQ» locale=»us»]At The Clambake Carnival[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Cab Calloway
Recorded: 1938
Album: [easyazon-link asin=»B000QZYYS8″ locale=»us»]New York 1937-1938, Vol. 2 Disk B[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 191 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B001S6TSO4″ locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B000QNZMDQ» locale=»us»]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B001FJFP9Q» locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ emusic

What do you think about Cab Calloway's music? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new «Song of the Week«.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.


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Song of the Week #124: «Cherokee» by Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra