Harlan Leonard

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.

• Name — Harlan Leonard • Birth Name — Harlan Quentin Leonard • Born — 2 July 1905 • Birthplace — Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. • Died — 10 November 1983 • Place of death — Los Angeles, California, U.S. • Genre — Jazz • Occupation — Musician, bandleader • Instrument — Clarinet

The following works and productions are recorded by name or by count. It is also recorded that harlan Leonard is recorded with the occupation clarinetist. It is also recorded that harlan Leonard is recorded with the occupation jazz musician. It is also recorded that harlan Leonard is recorded with the occupation bandleader. Recorded with the occupation saxophonist. Institutional cataloguing adds that harlan Leonard is recorded with the occupation composer. Institutional cataloguing adds that harlan Leonard is recorded as a citizen of United States. Recorded with the gender male. Born on 2 July 1905. Leonard died on 10 November 1983. Classed in the genre jazz.