[Dixielandjazz] Fw: Mercer Accompanist Identified

[Robert Newman]

Thanks to yawl for your great responses to my queer-ee about who was the 
wonderful pianist for Johnny Mercer's concert presentation.    Now we know. 
Yep, the Golden Jockstraps go to Bill Haesler and Charlie Hull -- he is 
RICHARD LEONARD -- very plainly credited on the jacket cover of the 1971 LP. 
The fact that he is brightly credited on the cover shows that Mercer 
rightfully respected him, possibly as a friend and surely as a perfect 
accompanist.

I wonder if Richard was related to Jack Leonard, the great pre-WWII 
vocalist with TD.    Now I'll look him up on Google.

Thanks again, guys.

Bob Newman