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Born in 1907 in Rochester, N.Y., he was raised in Baltimore and started but quit law school in Chicago. He became a singer, songwriter, composer, bandleader, actor and author. Known for his scat-singing, zoot suits and "Hi-De-Hi" catch phrase, he was the center of attention at New York's Savoy Ballroom and Cotton Club. His "Minnie the Moocher" was the first jazz album to sell a million copies. He used some of the earnings to charter a train rather than subject his band to racism during their travels. Gambling and financial problems broke up the band, but he continued performing until his death in 1994..
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