Harlan Leonard
| Harlan Leonard | |
|---|---|
Harlan Leonard
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Harlan Quentin Leonard |
| Born |
July 2, 1905 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | November 10, 1983 (aged 78) Los Angeles, California |
| Genres | Jazz, big band |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, bandleader |
| Instruments | Clarinet |
Harlan Leonard (July 2, 1905 – November 10, 1983) was an American jazz bandleader and clarinetist from Kansas City, Missouri.
Leonard was born in Kansas City in 1905. A professional musician from the age of 17, he joined Benny 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 trumpeter Ed Lewis, trombonist Vic Dickenson, and pianist Jesse Stone. After disputes with the Chicago local of the American Federation of Musicians the band broke up.
Leonard then formed Harlan Leonard and his Rockets, which featured a young Myra Taylor. This band went on to be the 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's music is considered transitional between swing and bebop. The band broke up during the Second World War, and Leonard left professional music. He worked for the Internal Revenue Service and died in Los Angeles in 1983.
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