Leonard Ware (December 28, 1909 – March 30, 1974)[1] was one of the first American jazz guitarists to play electric guitar.

[2] In 1938, Ware played electric guitar on recordings by Sidney Bechet.

He also recorded with Don Byas, Albinia Jones, Buddy Johnson, and Big Joe Turner.

[2] In December 1938, he played at Carnegie Hall with the Kansas City Six (Lester Young and Buck Clayton); in 1939 he recorded with Benny Goodman ("Umbrella Man").

Ware was the co-composer of "Hold Tight" (which he recorded with Bechet) and "I Dreamt I Dwelt in Harlem" (with Jerry Gray and Buddy Feyne), which was recorded by Glenn Miller and The Delta Rhythm Boys in 1941.