Harlan Leonard (July 2, 1905[1] – November 10, 1983)[2] was an American jazz bandleader and clarinetist from Kansas City, Missouri, United States.

[2] A professional musician from the age of 17, he joined Bennie Moten's orchestra in 1923, where he led the reed section until 1931.

[1] In 1931, he and Thamon Hayes formed the Kansas City Skyrockets,[1] which included trumpeters Ed Lewis and James Ross, trombonist Vic Dickenson, and pianist Jesse Stone.

[1] Charlie Parker played in this band for five weeks, but he was fired by Leonard for lack of discipline.

The band featured arrangements by its piano player Tadd Dameron that bore suggestions of the transition between swing and bebop.