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 (Results 26-50 of 70 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 26-50 of 70 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Davis, Leonard," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112286.

Davis, Leonard. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112286.

"Davis, Leonard." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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