“Draft:Leon Norman Hefflin, Sr.”的意思、由来-开放百科全书

was an American producer, director, business owner, furniture manufacture, and entrepreneur.^[2] Leon produced the first largest outdoor jazz entertainment event of its kind in the world for 14 years called the “Cavalcade of Jazz” held at Wrigley Field^[3] in Los Angeles, part of the Central Ave Jazz Scene and showcased over 125 artists.^[4] He also hosted a beauty contest at the events. His first COJ show starred Count Basie, The Honey Drippers, Valaida Snow, Joe Turner, The Peters Sisters, Slime and Bam and more artists on September 23, 1945.^[5] The Cavalcade of Jazz concerts were the stepping stone to success for such stars as Toni Harper, Dinah Washington, Roy Milton, Frankie Lane and others. Leon’s last concert was held at the Shrine Auditorium on August 3, 1958.^[6] He also produced “Sweet N’ Hot” featuring Dorothy Dandridge at the Mayan Theatre downtown Los Angeles.^[7] In 1940 he presented the Wings Over Jordan chorus in the Hollywood Bowl. The Shrine and the Elks auditorium held many of his events.^[8] He built and operated the Royal Appomattox Club and owned a 250-room hotel with café.^[9] This was done during an era called Jim Crow and Leon Hefflin faced many discrimination policies in the city.^[10]

Early Life

Leon Hefflin was born in 1898 in Palestine, Texas. His father was a blacksmith and his mother a cook. The family moved to Los Angeles when he was only 2, shortly after the murder of their father. He began technical training in grammar school and found he had a gift for woodworking. He excelled all other students at 14th Street Intermediate School and his fine handiwork was entered into the State Exposition in 1915.

He was able to find employment with the largest manufacturing company in the West, Angelus Furniture Manufacturing Co., with the help of Prof. Frank A. Bouelle. He excelled making many friends and because of his devotion to detail, soon organized and equipped the machine and veneering departments in the factory. That equipment was used for many years.^[11]

During his spare hours between work, Leon would build furniture. His daughter remembers a story that he had finished a chair and delivered it by bike with his wife. He completed a suite of bedroom furniture in the basement of his home without the aid of machinery. This furniture he sold for $300.00 to a local housekeeper and with a $200 loan started his first business. He only had a saw table, a joiner and a rented band saw.

Hefflin pioneered making Mission style furniture from pine wood so that poorer people could afford to purchase his pieces. “I hired a small truck on credit and went down to Main Street to the smaller furniture stores. In front of each store we would put the furniture on the sidewalk and then I would go to the store and bring out the buyer to show him our stuff. In this way, we booked orders for more than $1,000.00 worth of tables and chairs in the first week.”

“Our working force consisted of two men and myself. Our machinery was propelled by a gasoline engine that was so noisy we had to put it on the outside of the building and cut a hole in the wall for the belting. Our first order was delivered to Dearden’s and to Goodan-Jenkins Co.

He moved his factory 4 more times and had developed many departments within his factory; dining rooms, living rooms, and even caskets. Leon was one of the first African-American’s to offer his investors Capital Stocks. Hefflin Manufacturing presented his business plans to the “Business League Annual Meeting” in Tulsa, Oklahoma (Black Wall Street) in order to expand. He finally had a factory built and designed by Paul Williams in which he had over 50 employees.^[12] He eventually lost it at the start of the Depression.“CELEBRATING The Grand Opening of Our New Furniture Factory…” AD The California Eagle 25 May 1928

Appomattox Country Club and Other Clubs

With only the building left, Leon Hefflin moved to create a membership based private country club for ‘coloreds’.^[13] He offered an atmosphere of luxury and refinement. He held the grand opening Sept. 1, 1930 with Les Hites Syncopators and The Original Blacks and Tans.^[14] Eventually, he started to just rent it out for dances.^[15]

Leon’s brother, Bill Hefflin worked at Club Alabam as manager (and later Jack’s Shack). The brothers started to rent many venues all around the city, hiring Louie Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Erskine Hawkins, Jimmie Lunceford, and more.

They eventually rented out a rundown roller rink into a beautiful ball room.^[16] They had a dance with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and a few more, before city officials denied a permit based on race. Leon rents out the Mayan Theater downtown Los Angeles.

Even during the Cavalcade of Jazz, Leon continued to hold dances and concerts thru out the year.^[17]

Sweet ‘N Hot

Leon rents out the Mayan Theater downtown Los Angeles to produce the “Greatest Negro All Star Musical to Hit Coast.”^[18] His business partner is Curtis Mosby. The featured performer is Dorothy Dandridge^[19]. The show had a run of eleven weeks and was reported as going to New York.^[20] It closed to rave reviews^[21] and was covered by 20 different newspapers all over the country.

First Cavalcade of Jazz

Leon Hefflin rented out Wrigley Field for the first “Biggest Outdoor Show” on September 23, 1945.^[22] It was reported that approximately 15,000 was in attendance.^[23] Al Jarvis was his first emcee. Count Basie, The Honey Drippers, Joe turner, Slim and Bam, The Peter Sisters, and Valaida Snow was all on the program.^[24]

Second Cavalcade of Jazz

The Second Cavalcade of Jazz was held Sept. 7, 1946 at Wrigley Field.^[25] Lionel Hampton was the showcased artist, along with Jack McVea, Slim Gaillard, Louie Armstrong, T-Bone Walker, The Honeydrippers, Madeline Green and Wini Brown.

Third Cavalcade of Jazz

The Third Cavalcade of Jazz was held Oct. 12, 1947 at Wrigley Field.^[26] Sarah Vaughn, Woody Herman, Jeanne Taylor, Miguelito Valdes, Joe Liggins, The Three Blazers, Johnny Otis, Toni Harper, and T-Bone Walker were all on the program.

Fourth Cavalcade of Jazz

The Fourth Cavalcade of Jazz was held Sept. 12, 1948 at Wrigley Field.^[27] Starring Dizzy Gillespie, Frankie Laine, Little Miss Cornshucks, Sweethearts of Rhythm, Honeydrippers, Joe Turner, Jimmy Witherspoon, The Blenders and The Sensations. Joe Adams will emcee 11 of the COJ concerts.

Fifth Cavalcade of Jazz (2 Locations)

The Fifth Cavalcade of Jazz was held July 10, 1949 at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles,^[28] and Sept. 3, 1949 at Lane Field in San Diego. Both of the concerts featured Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra. Hunter Hancock joins Joe Adams as emcee. Jimmy Witherspoon, Buddy Banks and orchestra, Big Jay McNeely and Smiley Turner were also on the programs.

Sixth Cavalcade of Jazz

The sixth Cavalcade of Jazz was held June 25, 1950 at Wrigley Field.^[29] It featured Lionel Hampton with an All Star Cast. It was reported that an estimated crowd of 20,000 were in attendance. Betty Carter, Dinah Washington, Roy Milton’s Orchestra, Pee Wee Crayton’s Orchestra, Tiny Davis and her Hell Divers, and Lillian Greenwood.

Seventh Cavalcade of Jazz

The seventh Cavalcade of Jazz was held July 8, 1951 at Wrigley Field.^[30] Lionel Hampton was featured again along with Billy Eckstine, Percy Mayfield and Roy Brown.

Eight Cavalcade of Jazz

The Eight Cavalcade of Jazz was held June 1, 1952 at Wrigley Field.^[31] The Cavalcade of Jazz queen, Miss Tina Thomas, is crowned by Josephine Baker. The feautured artist is Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five, along with Anna Mae Winburn and Her Sweethearts, Jerry Wallace, Toni Harper, Roy Brown and His Might Men, and Jimmy Witherspoon.

Ninth Cavalcade of Jazz

The Cavalcade was held June 7th, 1953 at Wrigley Field.^[32] Featured artist were both Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong, along with Shorty Rogers Orchestra, Roy Brown and Orchestra, Don Tosti and His Mexican Jazzmen, Lloyd “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” Price and Orchestra, Earl Bostic and His Orchestra. Velma Middleton was in Louis Armstrong’s band as vocalist. Dorothy Lamb was crowned Queen.

Tenth Cavalcade of Jazz

The Tenth Cavalcade of Jazz was held June 20, 1954 at Wrigley Field.^[33] Featured artist was Count Basie and his Orchestra and Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five along with Ruth Brown. Also on the program was The Flairs, Christine Kittrell, Lamp Lighters, Perez Prado and his Orchestra. Beverly Weathersby was crowned as Queen.

Eleventh Cavalcade of Jazz

The Eleventh Cavalcade of Jazz was held July 24, 1955 at Wrigley Field.^[34] Featured artist was Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra. Along with Big Jay McNeely and his Orchestra, The Medallions, The Penquins and James Moody. The Queen was Jeanna Limyou. Tom Kelley photographed and was a judge for the contest.

Twelfth Cavalcade of Jazz

The Twelfth Cavalcade of Jazz was held Sept.2, 1956 at Wrigley Field.^[35] On the program were Dinah Washington, Little Richard, The Mel Williams Dots, Julie Stevens, Chuck Higgins’s Orchestra, Bo Rhambo, The Premiers, Willie Hayden & Five Black Birds, Gerald Wilson and his 20 Piece recording Orchestra. The Queen was Zelia Bennett.

Fourteenth Cavalcade of Jazz

The Fourteenth Cavalcade of Jazz was held at the Shrine Auditorium on August 3, 1958.^[36] The program had Ray Charles with The Cookies and Ann Fisher, Sam Cooke, William Everett Preston, Little Willie John, Bo Rhambo, and The Clark Kids.^[37] Sammy Davis Jr. crowned the Queen, Miss Jackie Joyce Simpson.

References

1. ^“Famed Producer Dies” Los Angeles Sentinel Nov. 27, 1975.
2. ^Reed, Tom, The Black Music History of Los Angeles-Its Roots A Classical Pictorial History of Black Music in Los Angeles from the 1920’s -1970 Black Accent L.A. Press, 1992. Pg 64, 78, 131, 187, 188, 201, 293
3. ^Bryant et al., Central Avenue Sounds Jazz in Los Angeles University of California Press Berkeley, 1998 Pg. 92 188-189
4. ^“15,000 Persons at Wrigley Field for ‘Jazz Cavalcade’” The California Eagle Sept. 27, 1945.
5. ^“Big Name Bands, Singers in ‘Cavalcade of Music’ Sept. 23” ” The California Eagle Sept. 13, 1945.
6. ^“Fourteenth Year Jazz Cavalcade At Shrine Next” Article The California Eagle July 3, 1958.
7. ^“’Sweet ‘n’ Hot’ Opens Jan. 18 On Mayan Stage” Citizen News, Hollywood Jan. 11, 1944.
8. ^Cox, Bette Yarbrough, Central Avenue-Its Rise and Fall (1890-c. 1955) Including the Musical Renaissance of Black Los Angeles Los Angeles BEEM Publications, 1996.
9. ^“New Appomattox Country Club to Open Labor Day” The California Eagle 29 Aug. 19
10. ^Flamming, Douglas, Bound for Freedom Black Los Angeles in Jim Crow America University of California Press 2005. Pg.253.
11. ^“Hefflin Exhibit Main Show At Business League Annual Meet” Front page article The California Eagle 11 Sept. 1925.
12. ^Work, Monroe Negro Year Book An Annual Encyclopedia of the Negro 1931-1932 Tuskegee Institute, Alabama.
13. ^Announcing….America’s Finest Amusement Resort” AD The California Eagle (8 Aug. 1930)
14. ^Appomattox Country Club” advertisement, The California Eagle (3 Oct. 1930) ePub 351.
15. ^“The Beautiful Appomattox Country Club” Ad for Renting Ad The California Eagle March 24, 1933.
16. ^DjeDje, Jacqueline and Eddie S. Meadows, California Soul Music of African Americans in the West University of California Press, 1998. Pg 87
17. ^“Leon Hefflin and Joe Moralas Present…” AD Los Angeles Sentinel Feb. 7, 1946.
18. ^“Negro Revue in 8th Week” “Mayan Revue Performers Create Own Dances” Los Angeles Examiner March 18, 1944.
19. ^“Dorothy Dandridge…” The American Aeronaut March 13, 1944.
20. ^“Eye Filling Juliette Ball… now in its 7th smash week at the Mayan Theater” Photo The American Aeronaut March 10, 1944.
21. ^“”Sweet ‘N’ Hot” Revamped; Long Run Predicted” by Herman Hill Pittsburgh Courier March 12, 1944.
22. ^“COMING SEPTEMBER 23 Biggest Outdoor Show to Hit L.A.” AD The California Eagle Sept. 13, 1945.
23. ^“15,000 Persons at Wrigley Field for ‘Jazz Cavalcade’” The California Eagle Sept. 27, 1945.
24. ^“IT’S SWINGSATIONAL! Nothing Like it Before” AD The California Eagle Sept. 20, 1945.
25. ^“Second Annual Cavalcade of Jazz” AD The California Eagle Sept. 5, 1946.
26. ^“Third Jazz Cavalcade-Leon N. Hefflin” Photo caption Los Angeles Sentinel July 31, 1947.
27. ^“Stars Galore to Swing and Sing At Wrigley Park” Article The California Eagle Sept. 2, 1948
28. ^“Lionel Hampton to Play Calvalcade Of Jazz July 10th” Headliner The California Eagle June 30, 1949.
29. ^“’Cavalcade of Jazz’ WITH ‘HAMP’ AT WRIGLEY FIELD JUNE 25” Headline Los Angeles Sentinel June 8, 1950.
30. ^“7th Annual Cavalcade of Jazz” AD The California Eagle June 21, 1951.
31. ^“Cavalcade of Jazz At Wrigley Field” Article with photo* Los Angeles Sentinel May 1, 1952.
32. ^“9th Annual Cavalcade of Jazz Sunday, June 1st” AD Los Angeles Sentinel May 7, 1953.
33. ^“10th Annual Cavalcade of Jazz” AD The California Eagle May 27, 1954.
34. ^11th Annual Cavalcade of Jazz and Beauty Pageant” AD The California Eagle June 30, 1955.
35. ^“12th Cavalcade of Jazz At Wrigley Field Sept. 2” Article Los Angeles Sentinel July 26, 1956.
36. ^“Fourteenth Year Jazz Cavalcade At Shrine Next” Article The California Eagle July 3, 1958.
37. ^Guralnick, Peter The Triumph of Sam Cooke DREAM BOOGIE Back Bay Books, Little, Brown, and Company, New York 2006. Pg. 243, 250-251.

Leon Hefflin Sr.