Leon Norman Hefflin, Sr. (August 17, 1898 – November 20, 1975) was a pioneering African-American producer, director, business owner, furniture manufacturer, and entrepreneur. After losing his large and successful manufacturing business in the Depression he rebounded to produce the first and largest outdoor jazz entertainment event of its kind, the "Cavalcade of Jazz," in 1945. Held at

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in Los Angeles, it was part of the Central Ave jazz scene, and showcased over 125 artists over 15 years.

Early life

Leon Hefflin was born in 1898 in Palestine, Texas. His father was a blacksmith and his mother was a cook. His family moved to Los Angeles when he was 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 above all other students at 14th Street Intermediate School and his handiwork was entered into the State Exposition in 1915.

Entrepreneur

Hefflin opened Hefflin Manufacturing Company. He moved his factory four times. Hefflin developed many departments within his factory; dining rooms, living rooms and caskets. Leon was one of the first African-Americans to offer his investors capital stock. Hefflin presented his business plans to the Business League Annual Meeting in

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, Oklahoma (Black Wall Street) in order to expand. He had a factory built and designed by Paul Williams in which he had over 50 employees. Hefflin was listed as one of a few Negro businesses at the time and was valued at $200,000. It was devoted to manufacturing furniture toy making. He eventually lost it at the start of the Depression.

Cavalcade of Jazz

The Cavalcade of Jazz included performances from Toni Harper,

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, Frankie Lane and others. Leon's last concert was held at the

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on August 3, 1958. He hosted a beauty contest at the events. His first COJ show starred

Count Basie William James "Count" Basie (; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and the ...

, The Honey Drippers,

Valaida Snow Valaida Snow (June 2, 1904. Other presumed birth years are 1900, 1901, 1903, 1905, and 1907 – May 30, 1956) was an American jazz musician and entertainer who performed internationally. She was also known as "Little Louis" and "Queen of the Tr ...

, Joe Turner, The Peters Sisters, Slim and Bam and more artists on September 23, 1945. He also produced "Sweet N' Hot" featuring

Dorothy Dandridge Dorothy Jean Dandridge (November 9, 1922 – September 8, 1965) was an American actress, singer and dancer. She is the first African-American film star to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, which was for her performance in '' C ...

at the Mayan Theatre downtown Los Angeles. In 1940 he presented the

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in the Hollywood Bowl. The

and the Elks auditorium held many of his events. He built and operated the Royal Appomattox Club and owned a 250-room hotel with cafe.

Sweet 'n' Hot

Leon rented the Mayan Theater downtown Los Angeles to produce the "Greatest Negro All Star Musical to Hit Coast". His business partner was Curtis Mosby. The featured performer was Dorothy Dandridge. The show had a run of eleven weeks and was going to New York. It closed to rave reviews.""Sweet 'N' Hot" Revamped; Long Run Predicted" by Herman Hill Pittsburgh Courier March 12, 1944 and was covered by 20 newspapers across the country.

References

External links

Leon Hefflin, Sr at Find-a-Grave
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hefflin, Leon 1898 births 1975 deaths American producers 20th-century American businesspeople