Our city has a long and powerful history, brimming with dedicated New Yorkers who have fought to improve their communities in countless ways – from public service to community activism to the arts. It is essential that we commemorate those who have built up our past as we work to build a better future for our city. This legislation ensures that we remain connected to our history and to the important values embodied by these individuals.

Leonard Harper can correctly be described as multifaceted. Over the span of the Harlem Renaissance, he left his mark as  a dancer, choreographer, producer, and studio owner. 

Harper and his wife, Osceloa Banks, put together and performed in his first big revue, Plantation Days, at Layfatte Theatre in Harlem in 1922. As a result, Harper started producing. He is credited with over 2,000 shows on stage and screen. He is associated with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Fred Astaire, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Mae West, Josephine Baker, Lena Horne and the Marx Brothers. Harper also brought his talents to the nightlife scene. He was instrumental in the Cotton Club’s opening, which featured two of his revues, and regularly brought talent to Connie’s Inn, The Kentucky Club, and The Apollo Theatre.

On the international stage, Harper is known as the “father of cabaret.” He created “The Harpettes” and performed with them internationally in cabaret, vaudeville, and medicine style shows. Always managing to enrich the lives of others, Harper went on to own a dance studio in Times Square where Black dancers became teachers and shared their culture and dances with white dancers.

Harper’s biggest Broadway contribution was the 1929 staging of Hot Chocolates, which etched “Black and Blue” and “Ain’t Misbehavin” into the collection of Broadway classics. 

Council Member Inez Dickens remembers Harper fondly, stating:

His work left everlasting impressions and opened a door of opportunities for others to be involved in the motion picture industry because of his historic performances and productions that showcased Black culture.

Harper died at 44 in 1943. He was recently honored with a  2015 NAACP History Makers Award. 

The street naming will occur Saturday, October 10, at 2pm.

The post Leonard Harper Honored With Street In His Name appeared first on Broadway Black.

In the 1920’s Harper became indelibly intertwined with building Harlem as a cultural icon. Harper produced at historical bastions like Connie’s Inn, Lafayette Theatre and the opening of the new Apollo Theatre. By 1929, Harper was producing the broadway hit Hot Chocolates and directing the cabaret scenes in the first Black “talkie” film “The Exile”. As his career progressed, he moved on to producing shows at The Cotton Club and hired many other iconic performers such as Lena Horne, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. Ultimately the public’s interest began to decline on these types of shows and Harper’s work as a producer became less frequent. He died at the age of 45 of a heart attack while rehearsing a chorus line at Murrian’s Harlem Club in 1943.

In recognition of his contributions as a artistic pioneer, Harper will be honored on October 10, 2015 with a street co-named after him. Leonard Harper Way will be located at the the South/East Corner of 132nd. St. & Adam Clayton Powell Blvd also known as(7th. Ave.)

Leonard Harper was one of the most influential African-American producers, directors and choreographers of his era. Throughout his short lifespan, he produced over 2,000 shows on stage and screen with some of the greatest icons of the Harlem Renaissance. His work left everlasting impressions and opened a door of opportunities for others to be involved in the motion picture industry. Because of his historic performances and productions that showcased Black culture, it is with great honor that the southwest corner of 132nd street and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. be known as Leonard Harper Way,” said Council Member Inez E. Dickens.

This honor is just another sign of the tides turning toward more recognition of the hard work, talent and effort provided by the Black community in establishing the history and dynamic legacy of entertainment not just in Broadway but beyond. We salute the contributions of those who went often unrecognized during their lifetimes and paved the way for more Black entertainers to receive the accolades they so richly deserve.

Watch Leonard Harper’s Connie’s Inn Chorus Line Staged & Directed in the film The “Exile”

The post Leonard Harper Will Be Honored with Street Name appeared first on Broadway Black.