Cecil B. Leeson (October 16, 1902 – April 17, 1989),[1] was an American musician and teacher who was widely credited with establishing the saxophone as a legitimate concert instrument in the U.S.

[2] In 1921, Cecil Leeson enrolled as a saxophone major in Dana's Musical Institute in Warren, Ohio (currently part of Youngstown State University), graduating in 1925.

From 1926, he worked on occasion in various commercial groups in Detroit, and in Ohio, including broadcasts on Cleveland's radio station WHK[3] and WJAY.

[14] From 1934 to 1939, Leeson collaborated with American composer Paul Creston, resulting in several major pieces for the classical saxophone repertoire, which they premiered.

His papers and his collection of original Adolphe Sax and other famous saxophones are in the America's National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota.