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Blanche Calloway

Blanche Calloway was a popular singer and bandleader during the 1930s. She studied music at Morgan State College before dropping out to pursue a career in show business. Her big break came in 1923 when offered a part in a musical touring company. Her vocal talents quickly made her a spotlight entertainer, and she began working nightclubs across the country. In the mid- and late 1920s she recorded for Okeh and Vocalion, including a 1925 session with Louis Armstrong. She also worked with her brother bandleader Cab Calloway.

In 1931, while performing at the Pearl Theatre in Philadelphia, Blanche was heard by bandleader Andy Kirk. Kirk asked her to sing with his outfit, the Clouds of Joy. While touring with the orchestra she quickly found herself the featured attraction. Watching her popularity soar she made an attempt to steal leadership of the group from Kirk. When Kirk figured out the plot he quickly dumped her.

Still determined to have her own orchestra, Blanche found an ally in Kirk trumpet player Edgar ''Puddin Head'' Battle, who helped her put together a group. Called Blanche Calloway and Her Joy Boys, the band at times included Ben Webster and Cozy Cole. It later changed its name to Blanche Calloway and Her Orchestra. She was the first black woman to front an all-male orchestra. Considered one of the best African-American outfits in the country, the group toured and recorded for RCA Victor, finally disbanding in 1938 due to financial difficulties.

Blanche continued performing solo but found her audience shrinking. In 1940 she put together an all-female orchestra, which soon disbanded due to lack of bookings. Blanche retired from show business in 1944.

In the early 1950s she managed a nightclub in Washington, DC, where she is credited with discovering R&B singer Ruth Brown.

In the 1960s she worked as a disc jockey in Miami and operated a mail-order hair care business. Blanche Calloway passed away in 1978 after a battle with breast cancer.

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Radio & Podcasts

New Releases, Grammy Winners, Birthday Celebrations For Blanche Calloway, Carole King & More

Read "New Releases, Grammy Winners, Birthday Celebrations For Blanche Calloway, Carole King & More" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


This broadcast includes new releases from Ed Johnson & Novo Tempo, Alliance (led by Sharel Cassity and Coleen Clark), Tierney Sutton and Nubya Garcia, with nods to several Grammy winners and birthday shoutouts to Blanche Calloway, Chick Webb, Carmen Staaf, Jen Allen, and Carole King, among others. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by seeing them live and online. Purchase their music so they can continue to distract, comfort, provoke and inspire. Playlist Audrey ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Freedom Suite, Blanche Calloway, Jazz at the Philharmonic

Read "Freedom Suite, Blanche Calloway, Jazz at the Philharmonic" reviewed by David Brown


This week we'll celebrate the recording milestone of Sonny Rollins' Freedom Suite, recorded 66 years ago this weekend on February 11, 1958; then a birthday tribute to singer, bandleader Blanche Calloway born this weened in 1902 who was a first woman to lean an all-male jazz band; and we'll tour with Jazz at the Philharmonic for a trumpet battle between Roy Eldridge and Charlie Shavers followed by an all-star Ballad Melody. Along the way, we will showcase some new releases ...

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Radio & Podcasts

New Releases, Valentines Day, Plus Birthday Celebrations for Blanche Calloway, Carole King & More

Read "New Releases, Valentines Day, Plus Birthday Celebrations for Blanche Calloway, Carole King & More" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


This broadcast celebrates Valentines Day, Juno nominees and more, with new releases from Rachel Therrien, Simone Kopmajer and the Tony Kadleck Big Band, plus birthday shoutouts to Blanche Calloway, Carole King, Marsha Heydt, Jen Allen, Sharel Cassity and Carmen Staff, among others. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by seeing them live and online. Purchase their music so they can continue to distract, comfort, provoke and inspire.Playlist Marsha Heydt and the Project of Love ...

2
Radio & Podcasts

Songs of the Heart Plus Birthday Celebrations for Carole King and Blanche Calloway

Read "Songs of the Heart Plus Birthday Celebrations for Carole King and Blanche Calloway" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


This broadcast presents songs of the heart for Valentines Day, new releases from vocalists Eugenie Jones and Hinda Hoffman plus birthday shoutouts to Carole King (80 years young) and Blanche Calloway, among others. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by purchasing their music during this time of pandemic so they can continue to distract, comfort and inspire. Playlist Altoizm (Greg Ward, Sharel Cassity, Rajiv Halim) “Cedar Groove" from Altoizm (AFAR Music) 00:00 Cynthia Scott ...

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Event

Do You Know Valaida Snow and Blanche Calloway? Amanda King Presents

Do You Know Valaida Snow and Blanche Calloway? Amanda King Presents

Source: Amanda King

SFJAZZ DISCOVER JAZZ PRESENTS AMANDA KING'S “FORGOTTEN WOMEN, LOST SONGS" at Jazz Heritage Center, Tuesday March 20th at 7:00pm SAN FRANCISCO, CA: March is Women's History month and as part of the SFJazz's Discover Jazz Part II series, jazz chanteuse and popular song historian Amanda King will lead a performance-lecture focused on the vibrant lives and music of two female musical pioneers—Valaida Snow and Blanche Calloway. These two women were early 20th century powerhouses who broke barriers and challenged the ...

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