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 76-100 of 133 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-066195 10-in. 7/8/1941 In Waikiki Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-066196 10-in. 7/8/1941 It's so peaceful in the country Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-066197 10-in. 7/8/1941 You're a natural Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-067522 10-in. 8/1/1941 A new shade of blue Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-067523 10-in. 8/1/1941 I can't believe that you're in love with me Bob Chester Orchestra ; Bob Haymes Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-067524 10-in. 8/1/1941 You betcha my life Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-067525 10-in. 8/1/1941 The wind blows free Bob Chester Orchestra ; Bob Haymes Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-067824 10-in. 9/10/1941 Harlem confusion Bob Chester Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-067825 10-in. 9/10/1941 The magic of magnolias Bob Chester Orchestra ; Bob Haymes Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-067826 10-in. 9/10/1941 B-i-bi Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley ; Bob Chester ; Bob Haymes Jazz/dance band, with mixed vocal trio and vocal ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-067827 10-in. 9/10/1941 From Maine to California Bob Chester Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-068044 10-in. 10/28/1941 Madelaine Bob Chester Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-068045 10-in. 10/28/1941 I wish I had a sweetheart (Like that old sweetheart of mine) Bob Chester Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-068046 10-in. 10/28/1941 If I were the moon Bob Chester Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-068047 10-in. 10/28/1941 Got something in my eye Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-068048 10-in. 10/28/1941 Harlem confusion Bob Chester Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-071402 10-in. 9/25/1941 Joltin' Joe Di Maggio Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley ; Bob Haymes Jazz/dance band, with mixed vocal trio and vocal ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-071403 10-in. 9/25/1941 Wait 'til the sun shines, Nellie Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley ; Bob Haymes Jazz/dance band, with female-male vocal duet and vocal ensemble instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-071404 10-in. 9/25/1941 This love of mine Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-071405 10-in. 9/25/1941 The clock is fast Bob Chester Orchestra ; Betty Bradley Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-071406 10-in. 9/25/1941 From Maine to California Bob Chester Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 85530 12/1/1953 Moonlight serenade Universal International Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 85531 12/1/1953 Tuxedo junction Universal International Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 85532 12/1/1953 Little brown jug Universal International Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 85533 12/1/1953 St. Louis blues march Universal International Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
(Results 76-100 of 133 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Leatherwood, Ray," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112091.

Leatherwood, Ray. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112091.

"Leatherwood, Ray." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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