Have you ever heard of Cab Calloway?

If not, then you missed an incredible career that spanned over 65 years.

He was a jazz singer, dancer, bandleader, and actor.

The height of his career was from the early 1930s to the late 1940s. He was known for his scat singing and recorded several hit albums during that time.

He was well known as the “Hi-de-ho” man of jazz for his most famous song, “Minnie the Moocher,” that was originally recorded in 1931.

Check it out, and you’ll recognize the scat singing and call-backs, for sure.

Calloway also made many TV and movie appearances over the span of his life.

Stormy Weather (1943), Porgy and Bess (1953), The Cincinnati Kid (1965), and Hello Dolly! (1967). Even one we all probably know, from 1980 The Blues Brothers.

So why is Calloway still relevant today?

As you’ll see in the video below, his ability to command attention – whether dancing or singing – was on another level of showmanship that we just do not see these days. He’s an incredible talent.

The video that you have to see is a clip from his movie “Stormy Weather.”

Not only is Calloway amazing but he is joined by the Nicholas Brothers, who’s high-flying aerobic style of dance is combined with traditional tap dance and steals the show.

The video begins with a large stage filled with people and a giant orchestra. Calloway leads the band and shares his beautiful voice. He coordinates a lot of call-and-response sections with members of the band. It’s just fun to watch.

Then he starts to scat, and you can believe the talent.

His rhythmic choices are that of elite talent.

Speaking of rhythm, the Nicholas Brothers, Fayard and Harold are about to add some Tap dancing.

They jump up on their tables to join Calloway during one of his scat parts.

The Brothers make their way to the main floor, accenting rhythms with their feet.

The speed they begin to move at is like lightning – but they still have an incredible amount of grace.

These two have quite the array of moves, but nothing might be more impressive than their use of the splits.

They move around the set, utilizing every part of it.

The most remarkable part in the video comes around the 4-minute mark, as the brothers leap over each other down a massive staircase, landing in the splits each time.

Gregory Hines (who you might be a little more familiar with) says:

“If those folks in Hollywood ever do get it in their heads to make the life story of the Nicholas Brothers, the dance numbers would have to be computer-generated…It would be impossible to find two dancer/actors to play the two starring roles…There never was a dancer, tap or otherwise, who, upon seeing those ‘Nicholas Splits,’ didn’t question his or her very own eyes. Could it be? Did they really go down and come right back up sans hands?”- Gregory Hines

What a compliment Hines offered the Nicholas Brothers!

Once you see the video, you’ll understand everything and why this performance is so exceptional. And on the first take, none the less.

Watch these dancers’ incredible execution of the “Nicholas Splits” that made them famous in the video below!

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Source: Laughland, Seeitlive