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Stage Name |
Birth Name | Leon James |
Leon James | | Poke (of Moke and Poke, Coke and Poke), The Jazz Dancers | |
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 ( Also known as "The Jazz Dancers") 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. | | [ Photo: 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, Leon (Poke) became ill in Dec/44 and Moke (Fletcher Rivers, not Al Minns) took on a new partner and continued with the same name. Poke (Leon James) was left "out in the cold" until Leon took on Harold Cromer and started performing as 'Coke & Poke' but many continued to confuse the new name ( Including me) with the old Moke & Poke.
Al and Leon were approached by Johnny Carson to be part of the daily pre-show entertainment for his TV show. Very soon after, Leon had his first heart attack and plans were scrapped. Later Al was a guest on the show by himself (courtesy of Mike Thibault). Leon died of a Cardiac-Arrest in NYC in 1970. |
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Birth Place |
Birth Date |
Spouse |
Offspring |
| New Jersey, USA |
4/1913 - 11/1970 |
Hazel James (2nd wife) |
Nina Cecily James |
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Susan James |
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(6 Children in Total) |
Films |
Television |
Publications |
| 1937 - The Big Apple ( Jittering Jitterbugs, Minns) |
1954 - Jazz Dance |
8/23/1943 - Life Magazine |
| 1937 - Day at the Races |
1960 - Am Musical Special |
9/12&14/1945 - Providence
Journal |
| 1938 - Paramount News: Savoy Contest |
1961 - Dupont Show* |
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| 1938 - Prisoner of Swing |
1964 - Playboy Club(w/ Minns) |
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| 1940 - Cootie William's & His Orchestra |
Johnny Carson Show |
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| 1943 - Cabin In The Sky |
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| 1944 - Lindy Hoppers |
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| 1946 - Midnight Menace |
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| 1950 - The Spirit Moves |
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| 1954 - Jazz Dance (w/ Minns) |
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| 1961 - Chicago and all That Jazz* ( Dupont) |
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| 1964 - Twelfth Street Rag (w/Minns) |
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- NOTE: Thanks to Leon's daughters ... Nina and Susan for information on Leon. Also, it was reported to me by a grand daughter that Leon was born in West Indies - St. Croix. However, that is deemed as incorrect by the daughters.
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