Leonard Davis

Leonard "Ham" Davis (July 4, 1905 in St. Louis, Missouri – 1957) was an American jazz trumpeter.

Davis began his career in St. Louis, playing with the Odd Fellows Boys' Band as a teenager and landing a spot in Charlie Creath's band. Late in the 1920s, he relocated to New York City, where he played in the bands of Edgar Hayes and Arthur Gibbs. He recorded for the first time with Eddie Condon's ensemble in 1929, and sat in with McKinney's Cotton Pickers that same year. In the 1930s he played with Benny Carter, Don Redman, and Elmer Snowden, and did a two-year stint in Louis Armstrong's orchestra starting in 1935. Toward the end of the decade he toured Europe with Edgar Hayes and played in the Blackbirds revue in New York City.

Davis joined Sidney Bechet's revival group in 1940, and also played in bands led by Maurice Hubbard, Albert Socarras, and George James. He continued performing in small-time settings in New York through the mid-1950s.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 4, 1905 (St. Louis), Died 1957

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1925 - 1938

Roles Represented in DAHR: trumpet

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

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-38115 10-in. 2/25/1927 Paradise wobble Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten ; Monette Moore Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-38116 10-in. 2/25/1927 Birmingham black bottom Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten ; Monette Moore Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-38117 10-in. 2/25/1927 Don't you leave me here Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten ; Monette Moore Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-47530 10-in. 9/19/1928 Gettin' away from me Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-47531 10-in. 9/19/1928 The boy in the boat Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-47532 10-in. 9/19/1928 Walk that thing Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-48345 10-in. 2/8/1929 I'm gonna stomp Mr. Henry Lee Eddie's Hot Shots Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-48346 10-in. 2/8/1929 That's a serious thing Eddie's Hot Shots Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-51298 10-in. 5/8/1929 Harlem drag Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-51299 10-in. 5/8/1929 Hot bones and rice Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-53600 10-in. 5/8/1929 Mo'lasses Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-57064 10-in. 11/5/1929 Plain dirt McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-57065 10-in. 11/5/1929 Gee, ain't I good to you McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-57066 10-in. 11/6/1929 I'd love it McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-57067 10-in. 11/6/1929 The way I feel today McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-57068 10-in. 11/6/1929 Miss Hannah McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-57139 10-in. 11/7/1929 Peggy McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-57140 10-in. 11/7/1929 Wherever there's a will, baby McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; Don Redman Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-57926 10-in. 12/18/1929 Lookin' for another sweetie Fats Waller’s Buddies Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-57927 10-in. 12/18/1929 Ridin' but walkin' Fats Waller’s Buddies Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-57928 10-in. 12/18/1929 Won't you get off it please Fats Waller’s Buddies Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BVE-57929 10-in. 12/18/1929 When I'm alone Fats Waller’s Buddies Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
OKeh 9036 10-in. Mar. 1925 Discouraged blues Bertha Henderson Female vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, trumpet  
OKeh 9037 10-in. Mar. 1925 Jamboree blues Bertha Henderson Female vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60021 10-in. 10/3/1935 I'm in the mood for love Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60022 10-in. 10/3/1935 You're my lucky star Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60023 10-in. 10/3/1935 La cucaracha Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60024 10-in. 10/3/1935 Got a brand new suit Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60155 10-in. 11/21/1935 I've got my fingers crossed Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60156 10-in. 11/21/1935 Old man Mose (is dead)-1 Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60157 10-in. 11/21/1935 I'm shooting high Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60158 10-in. 11/21/1935 (Was I to blame for) Falling in love with you Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60227 10-in. 12/13/1935 Red sails in the sunset Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60228 10-in. 12/13/1935 On Treasure Island Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60249 10-in. 12/19/1935 Thanks a million Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60250 10-in. 12/19/1935 Shoe Shine Boy Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60251 10-in. 12/19/1935 Solitude Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60252 10-in. 12/19/1935 I hope Gabriel likes my music Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60362 10-in. 1/18/1936 The music goes 'round and around Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60363 10-in. 1/18/1936 Rhythm saved the world Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61058 10-in. 4/28/1936 I come from a musical family Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61059 10-in. 4/29/1936 If we never meet again Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61075 10-in. 4/28/1936 Somebody stole my break Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61106 10-in. 5/18/1936 Lyin' to myself Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61107 10-in. 5/18/1936 Ev'ntide Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61108 10-in. 5/18/1936 Swing that music Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61109 10-in. 5/18/1936 Thankful Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61110 10-in. 5/18/1936 Red nose Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 61111 10-in. 5/18/1936 Mahogany Hall stomp Jimmy Archey ; Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 62217 10-in. 5/25/1937 Caravan Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 62218 10-in. 5/25/1937 Edgar steps out Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 62219 10-in. 5/25/1937 Laughing at life Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 62220 10-in. 5/25/1937 Stomping at the Renny Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 62450 10-in. 7/27/1937 Laughing at life Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 62451 10-in. 7/27/1937 High, wide and handsome Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 62452 10-in. 7/27/1937 Satan takes a holiday Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 62675 10-in. 10/11/1937 Queen Isabella Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 62676 10-in. 10/11/1937 Old King Cole Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 62677 10-in. 10/11/1937 Shindig Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 62678 10-in. 10/11/1937 Let's love Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63157 10-in. 1/14/1938 Meet the band Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63158 10-in. 1/14/1938 Fugitive from a harem Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63159 10-in. 1/14/1938 Swingin' in the promised land Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63160 10-in. 1/14/1938 Barbary Coast blues Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63294 10-in. 2/17/1938 Help me Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63295 10-in. 2/17/1938 Without you Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63296 10-in. 2/17/1938 You're my first thought every morning Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63297 10-in. 2/17/1938 In the mood Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63298 10-in. 2/17/1938 Star dust Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63299 10-in. 2/17/1938 Sophisticated swing Edgar Hayes Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Davis, Leonard," accessed April 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112286.

Davis, Leonard. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112286.

"Davis, Leonard." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112286

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