ghost of miles Posted January 9, 2004 Report Posted January 9, 2004 Recently ordered the Chronological Classics HARLAN LEONARD 1940 CD, as I'm putting together a special on J.J. Johnson, who was influenced by Leonard's trombonist Fred Beckett. The CD came in the mail today, and damn! What a band! Evidently this CD contains all of the sides that these guys made (for Bluebird in 1940), but there's some great, swinging music here... and some early Tadd Dameron arrangements as well. To my ears, a very modern-sounding Kansas City band for 1940... highly recommended: Quote
Tjazz Posted January 9, 2004 Report Posted January 9, 2004 Great stuff. Yeah, I got the RCA Vintage LP. Quote
brownie Posted January 9, 2004 Report Posted January 9, 2004 The Harlan Leonard sides were included in the hundreds of LPs that were released by French RCA in the '70s in their 'Black and White' series. That series was a total jazz education for me. The Harlan Leonard sides were released on two LPs and included several alternates takes. All from the Tadd Dameron arrangements: 'Rock and Ride', 'A La Bridges' and 'Dameron Stomp'. Those sides have solos by seldom heard musicians like trombonist Fred Beckett and tenorsax player Henry Bridges. Two highly underrated jazz greats. The 'Black and White' series producers had access to the RCA archives and unearthed a lot of very rare material. Volume 2 of the Harlan Leonard 1940 records also included six sides by saxophonist George James that were recorded in 1951-1953. Nice jumping sides with musicians like Taft Jordan, Dick Vance, Tyree Glenn, Henderson Chambers, Budd Johnson, Bill Doggett, etc. Quote
Brownian Motion Posted January 9, 2004 Report Posted January 9, 2004 No question: Harlan Leonard had a major league band . Besides the aforementioned Bridges and Beckett, the soloists included a pair of hot Roy-influenced trumpet players, James Ross and William Smith. Unfortunately for Leonard and his talented group, the band's recorded debut corresponded with a big band glut, in an era when less-than-mediocre white bands were often more commercially successful than top-of-the-line black jazz bands. Quote
Spontooneous Posted January 12, 2004 Report Posted January 12, 2004 Leonard's singer, Myra Taylor, still performs in Kansas City occasionally. She's 80-something, but in good shape vocally. She cut an album, "My Night to Dream," about three years back; it isn't bad. Anybody know of Fred Beckett solos on any records other than Leonard's? Quote
brownie Posted January 12, 2004 Report Posted January 12, 2004 Anybody know of Fred Beckett solos on any records other than Leonard's? Fred Beckett solos on 'I Wonder Boogie' (Hamp's Boogie Woogie) that was recorded for V-Disc in March 1944. It's on the Lionel Hampton 1942-1944 Chronogical Classics CD. Quote
jazzbo Posted January 12, 2004 Report Posted January 12, 2004 I've had the Classics cd since it was released, right about the time I was reading several books about the Kansas City and Southwest jazz scenes of the time. . . great release. Going to have to spin it again soon! Quote
Clunky Posted December 9, 2009 Report Posted December 9, 2009 (edited) What a fine band, just got a fine LP of Leonard's RCA output ( Mid 60s Victor Vintage Jazz series). Mix alternates and original issues. Luckily I have a original take of A-la bridges on 78 Edited December 10, 2009 by Clunky Quote
SwingItTrev Posted December 10, 2009 Report Posted December 10, 2009 Thanks for reminding me of this great band. I'm going to dig out that CD right now Incidentally I've been going on a bit of a Kansas City kick lately. Last night I rediscovered some fantastic Bennie Moten stomps from the late 20s. Recommended! Quote
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