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Daughter of Baltimore jazz legend Cab Calloway recounts memories of her father

Bridging the Gap
Posted at 5:00 AM, Feb 13, 2017
and last updated 2019-01-24 14:05:47-05

Baltimore was first introduced to jazz in the 1800's. In the mid-1900's ragtime musical influences of Eubie Blake and Cab Calloway began their road to fame. 

However, long before jazz legend Cab Calloway became an overnight sensation, he began learning how to shape his voice in the hallways of a local Baltimore City school.

"His career was really molded through his time at Frederick Douglas High School," his daughter Camay Murphy Calloway said. 

While to some he was the largest act to headline famous theaters throughout the country; to his daughter he was simply 'dad'.

"I guess my fondest memory was seeing him something bigger than life," she said. 

Calloway's musical impact touched the lives of Hollywood's elite and left a lasting impression.

"He believed in pleasing the audience. He really had a love affair with the audience," his daughter said.

When the Hi-De-Ho legend wasn't traveling on the road or preparing for his next act, Cab enjoyed home-life in Maryland. 

His final days were spent at  home in Harve De Grace and he was often greeted by the likes of Janet Jackson at his bedside. 

Cab's imprint on music is noted in today's music and can be seen on display at the National African-American History and Culture museum in Washington, D.C. 

Bridging the Gap celebrates Black History Month by sharing the stories of Baltimore's African American history.

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