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.

References

• Eugene Chadbourne, Ray Leatherwood at Allmusic

Dad not only played with Dick Careys tuesday night friends Jams he provided the warehouse in North Hollywood where they would gather. Tommy Newsome was a regular at those sessions. Dick would have it all charted out. It was our aviation parts business warehouse. I used it for my own bands when needed. Always a very cool time. Dad was doing Dixieland quartet casuals then. One he did for a party at Rod Stewarts house in Hollywood, another at the Western White House for Nixon who was a jazz fan. He also played at the REAL white House with Les. They would all get to dine with the celebs. Nixon autographed Dads dinner menu which I still have. We were always Xmas orphans thru those years as Dad would always go overseas with the Brown Band and Bob Hope on the USO tours! Bobs wife Dolores would have all the wives and kids to their home on Xmas day and give presents to us kids. les's horn sections used to rehearse in our garage in North hollywood. I went to rehearsals with Dad when I was 7 or 8. Doris Day was singing with the band then. Dads claim to fame is really the disc with Julie London and Barney Kessel "Cry me a River". Julie and Bobby troupe were personal friends of ours. After the session they asked Dad if he wanted scale or a % of the sales. Dad had a wife and 3 hungry kids. He took the scale. :-( Who knew it would become such a huge cult classic? Dad was a quiet, unassuming man. He had beautiful penmanship and would copy sheets for the Brown Band at home late at night. 1.00 a sheet. We didnt have much but we never went hungry. Helen my Mom was also a musician. Coronet. Played with Ina Ray Huttons all girl Orchestra as a soloist. Great memories.