400 Swing 07 15 40 - Music

Harlan Leonard Kansas City Missouri July 2 1905 - November 10 1983 Los Angeles California Was An American Jazz Clarinetist Saxophonist Alto Tenor And Soprano Composer And Bandleader. His Music Is Considered Transitional Between Swing And Bebop. 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 Branch Of The American Federation Of Musicians The Band Broke Up. Leonard Then Formed A New Band Harlan Leonard & His Rockets. Charlie Parker Played In This Band For Five Weeks But 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. read less