Album: A Proper Introduction to Cab Calloway: Zah, Zuh, Zaz

Introduction
"A Proper Introduction to Cab Calloway: Zah, Zuh, Zaz" is a collection album released in 2004, featuring the works of the famous American jazz singer and bandleader Cabell "Cab" Calloway III. This album showcases his lovely voice and charismatic persona, transferring listeners back to the golden age of jazz and swing. The album includes 24 tracks, compiled and remastered by Avid Records, including Calloway's most notable hits from the 1930s and 1940s.

Taxi Calloway's Background
Born in 1907, Cab Calloway increased to popularity during the Harlem Renaissance, an artistic motion in New York City during the 1920s and 1930s. Calloway was known for his striking stage presence, inventive scat singing, and unique vocal style that integrated jazz, blues, and swing. He led his orchestra at the well-known Cotton Club in Harlem throughout its prime time and had a successful profession in music and film that spanned five decades.

Material and Sound Quality
The collection consists of 24 tracks, which are valued tunes from Cab Calloway's career throughout the 1930s and 1940s. The album begins with his 1931 breakout struck "Minnie the Moocher", an appealing song about a beggar and her lover that introduced the world to Calloway's signature "hi-de-ho" refrain. Throughout the album, listeners can hear Calloway's lively scat singing and animated performances.

Other noteworthy tracks include "Kicking the Gong Around", a rollicking tale of intoxication and partying; "The Ghost of Smokey Joe", a scary story about a murdered gambler who returns from the grave; and "Are You Hep to the Jive?", a funny jibe at those who believe they know everything.

The audio quality on this album is remarkable, offered the age of the recordings. The tunes have actually been thoroughly remastered, preserving the original spirit and delight of the music while eliminating any unnecessary noise. The outcome is a crisp, clear listening experience that highlights Calloway's unbelievable voice and the talented artists in his orchestra.

Album Highlights
With its lively and positive tracks, "A Proper Introduction to Cab Calloway: Zah, Zuh, Zaz" captures the excitement of the Harlem Renaissance and the Cotton Club, where Cab Calloway's efficiencies charmed audiences. Standout tracks consist of "St. James Infirmary Blues", a haunting ballad about the loss of an enjoyed one; "Fifteen Minute Intermission", a spirited tune about the breaks in between sets at a Cab Calloway program; and "Zah Zuh Zaz", an infectious mixed-tempo dance number showcasing Calloway's distinct scat singing design.

Legacy and Influence
Taxi Calloway's influence extended beyond music and into pop culture, with his design and stage presence motivating future entertainers like James Brown, Michael Jackson, and Prince. A testimony to his enduring legacy, the tracks on "A Proper Introduction to Cab Calloway: Zah, Zuh, Zaz" can still be heard in movies, commercials, and TV shows today, using a classic yet classic charm that continues to captivate audiences.

In conclusion, "A Proper Introduction to Cab Calloway: Zah, Zuh, Zaz" is a wonderful collection that showcases Cab Calloway's special talent and captivating music design. For fans of jazz, swing, and blues, this album is an essential addition to your collection, providing a glance into a bygone age of American music and the world of Cab Calloway, among the most ingenious and iconic entertainers of his time.

Artist: Cab Calloway

Cab Calloway Cab Calloway, from his Baltimore roots and scat-singing with Louis Armstrong to radio fame and iconic performances in films like Stormy Weather and Blues Brothers.
More about Cab Calloway

Other Albums by Cab Calloway