Leon was one of the main Swing dancers with the Whitey's Lindy Hoppers in the 1930's and also danced with the Shorty Snowden Trio. Danced at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem and Harvest Moon Ball contests in New York winning first place with Ricker.

   He can be seen in the movie 'Cabin in the Sky' (as Poke) as well as in the 1961 Dupont Show of the Week (remade as 'Chicago and All That Jazz') with Al Minns doing Charleston, Lindy Hop etc.

   In trying to keep the Lindy Hop dance alive, Leon and Al Minns developed a novelty act in which they danced together. Leon and Willa Mae Ricker are featured in the legendary photo on the left in the 1943 Life Magazine.

   Leon toured with the Ink Spots in the mid 1940s as Moke and "Poke" and Coke and "Poke." in the issue of The Providence Journal, (September, 12&14, 1945) addresses the Moke and Poke / Coke and Poke question.

Listings for this team have varied during the year (c.1945.) Apparently, Poke became ill in Dec/44 and Moke (Fletcher Rivers) took on a new partner and continued with the same name. Poke (Leon James) was left "out in the cold" until he took on Harold Cromer and started performing as Coke & Poke but many continued to confuse the new name with the old Moke & Poke.

Leon died of a Cardiac-Arrest in NYC in 1970.