Photograph by
Unidentified
Subject of
Calloway, Cab, American, 1907 - 1994
David "Panama" Francis, American, 1918 - 2001
Date
1950s
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W (Image): 4 3/8 × 6 1/2 in. (11.1 × 16.5 cm)
H x W (Sheet): 5 1/16 × 7 1/8 in. (12.9 × 18.1 cm)
Description
A black and white photograph of Cab Calloway performing with his band at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba. Calloway is pictured just left of center, in profile turned towards his proper right, his right hand raised and blurred as if in motion. His left hand holds a microphone stand, tilted so the microphone is near his turned face. He wears a plaid tuxedo jacket with white shirt, dark pants and bow tie, and white pocket square. Directly behind Calloway is an upright bass, the face of the player only partially visible behind Calloway's shoulder. Another man stands behind the bass. To the right of him is a drummer, Panama Francis, seated at a white drumkit with "CC" on the large bass drum at the front. The two visible musicians both wear dark colored suit jackets, patterned neck ties, and white pocket squares. To the left is a grand piano, the bench and player out of frame. Behind Calloway's band is an orchestra seated at paneled stands with a logo marking resembling "JM" or "NM." In the background is a striped curtain. There are no inscriptions or markings, front or back.
Place captured
Havana, Cuba, Caribbean, Latin America, North and Central America
Classification
Media Arts-Photography
Type
gelatin silver prints
Topic
Composers (Musicians)
Conductors (Musicians)
Dance
Jazz (Music)
Musicians
Nightlife
Singers (Musicians)
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Cabella Calloway Langsam
Object number
2013.237.7
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd57ad1019a-a439-4d06-8b59-abaa674ca2fe

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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