Cab Calloway

Not merely a fantastic entertainer and singer, ‘king of hi-de-ho’ and chronicler of Minnie the Moocher, but the leader of a damn good big band, even if the sidemen had to squeeze their solos in between Cab’s outsize vocals.

Later made a name for himself as Sportin’ Life in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, a part that allegedly had been written by George Gershwin with 'CC' in mind.