Ray Leatherwood

Ray Leatherwood (April 24, 1914 – January 29, 1996) was an American jazz double-bassist and session musician.

Leatherwood's career began in territory bands around Texas, including the Mustang Band. Late in the 1930s he worked with Joe Venuti, and in the following decade played in Bob Chester's and Tommy Dorsey's bands. During World War II he played in military bands in California, then played with Les Brown from 1947 into the next decade.

He worked extensively as a freelance studio musician in the 1950s and 1960s, primarily in jazz and pop music. He appeared on record with Doris Day, Rosemary Clooney, Julie London (including on the hit song "Cry Me a River"), and Sonny James. Late in his life he played with Dick Cary's Tuesday Night Friends. He appeared on over 120 recordings in the genre of jazz alone.

Birth and Death Data: Born April 24, 1914, Died January 29, 1996

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1939 - 1956

Roles Represented in DAHR: string bass

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 133 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-057744 10-in. 11/26/1940 I'm always chasing rainbows Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-057745 10-in. 11/26/1940 Somebody stole my gal Bob Chester Orchestra ; Bill Darnell Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-057746 10-in. 11/26/1940 Chilly and cold Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-057747 10-in. 11/26/1940 Till the lights of London shine again Bob Chester Orchestra ; Bill Darnell Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-058756 10-in. 1/6/1941 Beau night in Hotchkiss Corners Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-058757 10-in. 1/6/1941 I could write a book Bob Chester Orchestra ; Bill Darnell Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-058758 10-in. 1/6/1941 Blue echoes Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-058759 10-in. 1/6/1941 Waterloo Bridge Bob Chester Orchestra ; Bill Darnell Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-060615 10-in. 2/4/1941 My ship Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-060616 10-in. 2/4/1941 Bewitched Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-060617 10-in. 2/4/1941 Oh! Look at me now Bob Chester Orchestra ; Bill Darnell Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-060618 10-in. 2/4/1941 Dolores Bob Chester Orchestra ; Bill Darnell Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-060619 10-in. 2/4/1941 You're dangerous Bob Chester Orchestra ; Bill Darnell Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-060620 10-in. 2/4/1941 You lucky people, you Bob Chester Orchestra ; Bill Darnell Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-060958 10-in. 3/4/1941 My sister and I Bob Chester Orchestra ; Bill Darnell Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-060959 10-in. 3/4/1941 Slow down Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-060960 10-in. 3/4/1941 Feed the kitty Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and vocal ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-060961 10-in. 3/4/1941 What has happened? Bob Chester Orchestra ; Bill Darnell Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-063811 10-in. 4/24/1941 I'm through throwing good love after bad Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-063812 10-in. 4/24/1941 Until tomorrow Bob Chester Orchestra ; Bill Reynolds Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-063813 10-in. 4/24/1941 Time and time again Bob Chester Orchestra ; Bill Reynolds Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-063814 10-in. 4/24/1941 Clap your hands on the after beat Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and vocal ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-066192 10-in. 7/8/1941 You can't get lovin' (Where there ain't any love) Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-066193 10-in. 7/8/1941 There goes that song again Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-066194 10-in. 7/8/1941 You were meant for me Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
(Results 51-75 of 133 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Leatherwood, Ray," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112091.

Leatherwood, Ray. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112091.

"Leatherwood, Ray." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112091

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