Leonard Ware
Leonard Ware was one of the first jazz guitarists to play electric guitar.Career
Ware was born in Richmond, Virginia. He went to college at the Tuskegee Institute and learned how to play the oboe.
In 1938, Ware played electric guitar on recordings by Sidney Bechet. This was nine months before Charlie Christian started playing electric guitar. 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.
In December 1938, he played at Carnegie Hall with the Kansas City Six ; in 1939 he recorded with Benny Goodman.
Ware was the co-composer of "Hold Tight" and "I Dreamt I Dwelt in Harlem", which was recorded by Glenn Miller and The Delta Rhythm Boys in 1941. A few years later, he dropped out of music. He died in 1974.Discography
