Blanche Calloway (1902-1978) was an early female band leader and was the older sister to Cab Calloway. She was a scattin’ woman before he was. In 1923, she dropped out of Maryland’s controversial all-negro Morgan State College to pursue a career in showbusiness. She recorded in the 20s for Okeh and Vocalion and even had a session with Louis Armstrong in 1925. She was invited to tour with Andy Kirk in 1931 and joined Andy Kirk’s Twelve Clouds of Joy. She was very popular
