American Masters celebrates “The Hi De Ho Man’s” career and legacy during Black History Month with the new documentary Cab Calloway: Sketches ( Cab Calloway, le dandy de Harlem ) premiering nationally Feb. 27 at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) on PBS (check local listings). In the New York metro-area the film airs Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. on (Thirteen)
From “Minnie the Moocher” to the Blues Brothers, the amazing career of a legendary showman, singer, band leader, dancer, entertainer… A superstar of his time, who still continues to inspire new generations of musicians.
No other film has yet attempted to piece together Cab Calloway’s exuberant personality in such a complete way, paying homage to the immensity of his contribution to the world of entertainment and to jazz music, not to mention his unique filmography. Internationally renowned figures from the jazz world, the crème de la crème of New York’s musicians and choreographers as well as rap musicians, who all claim Cab in their lineage, shed light on his influence within and beyond the world of jazz music. His family and the musicians who worked with Cab from the early days offer more intimate insight into the making of his legend.
The person emerging from the interviews and archives, some of which have never been seen by the public before, is somewhat different from the jazz legend that the name Cab Calloway is associated with. He is more alive and accessible to the audiences who may know little about him. Two great caricaturists – Steve Brodner, in the USA, and Cabu, in France – have been inspired to reconstitute Cab Calloway’s figure through the art of drawing and animation. With the sinuosity of his movements, his innate sense of rhythm, and his fantastic musicality, Cab reappears on the dance floor inviting us take part.