Cab Calloway’s Harlem Renaissance – A Talk by Christopher Calloway Brooks

Cab Calloway’s Harlem Renaissance – A Talk by Christopher Calloway Brooks

September 23 @ 20:00 – 23:30

Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Location: Sharp Theater, Berrie Center for the Arts, 505 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430

Join Christopher Calloway Brooks, accomplished musician, bandleader, and grandson of the legendary Cab Calloway, for an inspiring talk that blends music history, cultural legacy, and personal storytelling. Brooks currently leads the Cab Calloway Orchestra, carrying forward one of the most iconic names in American music while bringing his own expertise as a Harlem Renaissance scholar.

This engaging 60-minute presentation, followed by an audience Q&A, will take listeners inside the world of the Harlem Renaissance and the groundbreaking career of Cab Calloway. Expect discussions on:

Cab Calloway’s role as a pioneering figure in the African-American music community.
The cultural significance of the Zoot Suit and its ties to race and identity.
Calloway’s collaborations with Hollywood films and legendary performers of his era.
The artistry and leadership behind one of the most famous jazz orchestras of all time.

Event Details

Admission: Free and open to the public (visitors from off campus must stop at the guard shack for a parking pass).
Format: Talk + audience Q&A (approximately 60 minutes).
Special Note: This program is part of the Arch Performances series at Ramapo College’s Berrie Center for the Arts.

Bonus Performance

The celebration continues later in the week when the Cab Calloway Orchestra takes the stage on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 8:00 PM in the Sharp Theater. This concert brings Calloway’s timeless music to life with the swing, energy, and showmanship that made him a household name.