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Harlan Leonard

Harlan Leonard (July 2, 1905 – November 10, 1983) was an American jazz bandleader and clarinetist from Kansas City, Missouri, United States.

Leonard was born in Kansas City in 1905. A professional musician from the age of 17, he joined Bennie Moten's orchestra in 1923, where he led the reed section until 1931. In 1931, he and Thamon Hayes formed the Kansas City Skyrockets, which included trumpeters Ed Lewis and James Ross, trombonist Vic Dickenson, and pianist Jesse Stone. After disputes with the Chicago local of the American Federation of Musicians the band broke up.

In 1939, Leonard formed Harlan Leonard and his Rockets, which featured a young Myra Taylor. This band quickly became a leading band in Kansas City and toured nationally. Charlie Parker played in this band for five weeks, but he was fired by Leonard for lack of discipline. The band featured arrangements by its piano player Tadd Dameron that bore suggestions of the transition between swing and bebop. The band broke up during the Second World War, and Leonard left professional music. He worked in banking and for the Internal Revenue Service and died in Los Angeles in 1983.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 2, 1905 (Kansas City), Died November 10, 1983 (Kansas City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1926 - 1940

Roles Represented in DAHR: clarinet, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, leader, saxophone, composer, songwriter

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-37232 10-in. 12/13/1926 Thick lip stomp Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-37233 10-in. 12/13/1926 Harmony blues Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-37235 10-in. 12/13/1926 Yazoo blues Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-37236 10-in. 12/13/1926 White lightnin' blues Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-37237 10-in. 12/14/1926 Muscle Shoals blues Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-37238 10-in. 12/14/1926 Midnight mama Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-37239 10-in. 12/14/1926 Missouri wobble Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-38667 10-in. 6/11/1927 Sugar Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-38668 10-in. 6/11/1927 Dear heart Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-38669 10-in. 6/11/1927 The new Tulsa blues Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-38670 10-in. 6/11/1927 Baby dear Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band, with male vocal duet instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-38671 10-in. 6/11/1927 12th Street rag Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-38672 10-in. 6/12/1927 Pass out lightly Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-38673 10-in. 6/12/1927 Ding-dong blues Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-38674 10-in. 6/12/1927 Moten stomp Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-42924 10-in. 9/6/1928 Justrite Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-42925 10-in. 9/6/1928 It's hard to laugh or smile Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-42926 10-in. 9/6/1928 Slow motion Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-42927 10-in. 9/6/1928 Tough breaks Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band composer, instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-42928 10-in. 9/7/1928 Sad man blues Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-42929 10-in. 9/7/1928 Kansas City breakdown Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-42930 10-in. 9/7/1928 Trouble in mind Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-42931 10-in. 9/7/1928 Hot water blues Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-42932 10-in. 9/7/1928 When life seems so blue Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-42933 10-in. 9/7/1928 Get low-down blues Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band, with vocal effects instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-42934 10-in. 9/7/1928 She's no trouble Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-42935 10-in. 9/7/1928 South Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BRC-53012 10-in. 4/15/1931 Ya got love Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-55420 10-in. 7/16/1929 Terrific stomp Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-55421 10-in. 7/16/1929 Let's get it Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-55422 10-in. 7/16/1929 Kansas City squabble Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-55423 10-in. 7/17/1929 Rite tite Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-55424 10-in. 7/17/1929 Moten's blues Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-55425 10-in. 7/17/1929 That's what I'm talking about Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-55426 10-in. 7/17/1929 That certain motion Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-55427 10-in. 7/17/1929 It won't be long Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-55429 10-in. 7/18/1929 Just say it's me Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-55430 10-in. 7/18/1929 Now goofy dust Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-57301 10-in. 10/23/1929 Rumba negro Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-57302 10-in. 10/23/1929 The Jones Law blues Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-57303 10-in. 10/23/1929 Band box shuffle Kansas City Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-57304 10-in. 10/23/1929 Small black Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-57305 10-in. 10/23/1929 Everyday blues Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-57312 10-in. 10/24/1929 Boot it Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-57313 10-in. 10/24/1929 Mary Lee Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-57314 10-in. 10/24/1929 Rit-dit-ray Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-57315 10-in. 10/24/1929 New Vine Street blues Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-57316 10-in. 10/24/1929 Sweetheart of yesterday Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62909 10-in. 10/27/1930 Won't you be my baby? Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62910 10-in. 10/28/1930 I wish I could be blue! Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62911 10-in. 10/28/1930 Oh! Eddie Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62912 10-in. 10/28/1930 That too, do Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62913 10-in. 10/28/1930 Mack's rhythm Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62914 10-in. 10/28/1930 You make me happy Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62915 10-in. 10/28/1930 Here comes Marjorie Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62916 10-in. 10/28/1930 The count Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62921 10-in. 10/29/1930 Liza Lee Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62922 10-in. 10/30/1930 Get goin' (Get ready to love) Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62923 10-in. 10/30/1930 Professor Hot Stuff Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62924 10-in. 10/30/1930 When I'm alone Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62925 10-in. 10/30/1930 New Moten stomp Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62926 10-in. 10/30/1930 As long as I love you Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62927 10-in. 10/31/1930 Somebody stole my gal Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62928 10-in. 10/31/1930 Now that I need you Count Basie ; Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62929 10-in. 10/31/1930 Bouncin' round Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-62930 10-in. 10/31/1930 Break a day schuffle Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BRC-68900 10-in. 4/15/1931 I wanna be around my baby all the time Kansas City Orchestra ; Bennie Moten ; Jimmy Rushing Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BS-044589 10-in. 1/11/1940 Rockin' with the Rockets Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band leader, instrumentalist, saxophone, songwriter  
Victor BS-044590 10-in. 1/11/1940 Hairy Joe jump Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band leader, songwriter, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-044591 10-in. 1/11/1940 Contact Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band leader, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-044592 10-in. 1/11/1940 Snaky feelin' Harlan Leonard ; Rockets ; Jimmy Ross Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-044593 10-in. 1/11/1940 My gal Sal (They called her Frivolous Sal) Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band leader, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-044594 10-in. 1/11/1940 Skee Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band leader, songwriter, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-047796 10-in. 3/11/1940 I don't want to set the world on fire Harlan Leonard ; Rockets ; Myra Taylor Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo leader, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-047797 10-in. 3/11/1940 Ride my blues away Harlan Leonard ; Rockets ; Ernie Williams Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader, composer, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-047798 10-in. 3/11/1940 I'm in a weary mood Darwin Jones ; Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader, songwriter, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-047799 10-in. 3/11/1940 Parade of the stompers Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band leader, instrumentalist, saxophone, composer  
Victor BS-053206 10-in. 7/15/1940 Rock and ride Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band leader, instrumentalist, saxophone, composer  
Victor BS-053207 10-in. 7/15/1940 400 swing Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band leader, composer, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-053208 10-in. 7/15/1940 My dream Darwin Jones ; Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader, songwriter, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-053209 10-in. 7/15/1940 My pop gave me a nickel Harlan Leonard ; Rockets ; Myra Taylor Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo leader, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-053210 10-in. 7/15/1940 Please don't squabble Harlan Leonard ; Rockets ; Ernie Williams Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader, songwriter, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-053211 10-in. 7/15/1940 A-la-bridges Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band leader, composer, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-053638 10-in. 11/13/1940 Dameron stomp Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band leader, composer, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-053639 10-in. 11/13/1940 Rachmaninoff jumps Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band leader, composer, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-053640 10-in. 11/13/1940 Mistreated Harlan Leonard ; Rockets ; Ernie Williams Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader, composer, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-053641 10-in. 11/13/1940 Too much Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band leader, composer, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-053642 10-in. 11/13/1940 It couldn't be Darwin Jones ; Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader, songwriter, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-053643 10-in. 11/13/1940 Keep rockin' Harlan Leonard ; Rockets ; William H. Smith Jazz/dance band, with trumpet solo leader, composer, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-053644 10-in. 11/13/1940 Take 'um Henry Bridges ; Harlan Leonard ; Rockets Jazz/dance band, with saxophone solo leader, composer, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-053645 10-in. 11/13/1940 Dig it Harlan Leonard ; Rockets ; Myra Taylor Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo leader, songwriter, instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-056129 10-in. 9/17/1940 Southern fried Charlie Barnet Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Leonard, Harlan," accessed November 22, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/109661.

Leonard, Harlan. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/109661.

"Leonard, Harlan." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 22 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/109661

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