Leon Joseph Roppolo (March 16, 1902 – October 5, 1943)[1] was an American early jazz clarinetist, best known for his playing with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings.
Leon Roppolo (nicknamed "Rap" and sometimes misspelled as "Rappolo") was born in Lutcher, Louisiana, United States, up-river from New Orleans.
Roppolo soon excelled at the clarinet, and played youthful jobs with his friends Paul Mares and George Brunies for parades, parties, and at Milneburg on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain.
After the breakup of the Rhythm Kings in Chicago, Roppolo and Paul Mares headed east to try their luck on the New York City jazz scene.
Leon Roppolo died in New Orleans at the age of 41,[2] and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, within sight of the old Halfway House building where he played for years.