Leonard Ware

Leonard Ware (December 28, 1909 – March 30, 1974)[1] was one of the first jazz guitarists to play electric guitar.

Leonard Ware
Leonard Ware (right) with Billy Taylor and Zutty Singleton in New York City, mid-1940s
Photograph by William P. Gottlieb
Background information
Born(1909-12-28)December 28, 1909
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
DiedMarch 30, 1974(1974-03-30) (aged 64)
GenresJazz, blues
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1930s–1940s

Career

Ware was born in Richmond, Virginia. He went to college at the Tuskegee Institute and learned how to play the oboe.[2]

In 1938, Ware played electric guitar on recordings by Sidney Bechet.[2][3] The duo he then started with Jimmy Shirley was one of the first groups to have two electric guitarists. Ware performed in a trio during the 1940s and recorded as a leader in 1947. He also recorded with Don Byas, Albinia Jones, Buddy Johnson, and Big Joe Turner.[2]

In December 1938, he played at Carnegie Hall with the Kansas City Six (Lester Young and Buck Clayton); in 1939 he recorded with Benny Goodman ("Umbrella Man").

Ware was the co-composer of "Hold Tight" (which he recorded with Bechet) and "I Dreamt I Dwelt in Harlem" (with Jerry Gray and Buddy Feyne), which was recorded by Glenn Miller and The Delta Rhythm Boys in 1941. A few years later, he dropped out of music.[2] He died in 1974.[1]

Discography
  • 1937–1938, Sidney Bechet (Classics)[3]

References
  1. Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues: A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara, California: Praeger. p. 132. ISBN 978-0313344237.
  2. Kelsey, Chris. "Leonard Ware". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
  3. Yanow, Scott (2013). The Great Jazz Guitarists. San Francisco: Backbeat. p. 214. ISBN 978-1-61713-023-6.

Sources
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