Harlan Leonard

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Harlan Leonard (* 2. July 1905 in Kansas City , † 10. November 1983 ) was an American jazz - clarinetist , saxophonist and bandleader of the Swing . Together with Jay McShann, he was one of the protagonists of Kansas City Jazz .

Life

Leonard began his career in 1923 in George E. Lee's Territory Band , joined Benny Moten in 1924 and joined Thamon Hayes ' Kansas City Rockets in 1931 with several other musicians from this band . This band was dissolved in 1934, but formed the trunk of the new Moten orchestra. After Moten's death in 1935, Leonard founded his own formation in which he took over several Moten musicians. Harlan Leonard and his Rockets were soon among the most famous bands in Kansas City and were the strongest rivals of Jay McShann's band after the Basie band left for New York. This first Leonard band fell apart in 1936; in 1937/38 he took over the musicians of the Jimmy Keith band for a new foundation. During this time, Leonard's band made frequent appearances at the Dreamland, Street # s Blue Room and Century Room clubs .

In 1938 the young Charlie Parker was also part of the band for five weeks , but was dismissed by Leonard because of his unreliability. The band played in Chicago from 1940 in the Aragon and Savoy ballrooms ; It was during this time that her first recording sessions for Victor Records took place . The band singer was Myra Taylor ( I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire ). They then returned to Kansas City in 1941, where they had an engagement at the College Inn , and toured the Midwest . In late 1941 they went to New York City , where they performed in the Municipal Auditorium . However, they were not very successful at this and returned to Kansas. In early 1943 Leonard went on a tour with the band to the west coast ; In addition to numerous one nighters, they had a one-year engagement at Club Alabam in Los Angeles , where he also accompanied the singer Little Miss Cornshucks . They played then until 1946 exclusively in Kansas City.

There are only 23 recordings of the formation from 1940, such as the tracks "Dig It", "400 Swing" and "Dameron Stomp". The arranger at this time was the young Tadd Dameron , and Ernie Williams , whose style is reminiscent of Jimmy Rushing , was the singer . Outstanding soloists were tenor Henry Bridges and trombonist Fred Beckett . After the band broke up, Leonard lived in the Los Angeles area, performing occasionally in local clubs such as Shep's Playhouse ; after this engagement Leonard retired from the music business and worked for the Internal Revenue Service .

Harlan Leonard and his Rockets was one of the links between swing and the subsequent bebop .

Discography

  • Harlan Leonard and his Rockets 1940 (Classics)

literature

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Leonard, Harlan
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist and swing band leader
DATE OF BIRTH July 2, 1905
PLACE OF BIRTH Kansas City (Missouri)
DATE OF DEATH November 10, 1983