Enlightened Free Thinking Nubian Kings And Queens

Leonard Harper was a producer, stager, and  choreographer  in New York City during the  Harlem Renaissance  in the 1920's and 1930's. Harper's works spanned the worlds of  Vaudeville ,  Cabaret ,  Burlesque  and Broadway musical comedy. As a dancer, choreographer and studio owner, he coached many of the country's leading performers, including  Ruby Keller .  Fred Astaire  and  Adele Astaire , came by the studio twice, and the  Marx Brothers  went for lessons. He produced floor shows and theatrical revues both uptown in Harlem and downtown on Broadway's Great White Way. In his  Times Square  dance studio he trained the  Busby Berkeley  dancers, and Fred's sister  Adele Astaire . He co-directed and staged the ensemble segments of  The Exile  and the short film  Darktown Revue  with  Oscar Micheaux . Harper staged for Broadway  Hot Chocolates ...

Born 1877 died 1935 Wrote the musical anthems for the UNIA.  33 degree Past Master, Memmon Lodge, no. 51 Scottish Rite mason From Barbados moved to Harlem in 1911 Leaves the UNIA after trying to get Garvey to change the platform of the UNIA to Judaism while he was in exile. Garvey said "no" and Ford left and joined the Moorish Zionist Temple. 1924 he leaves the temple after disagreements with Mordeci Herrmenz the founder. Next in 1924 he is assisted by white Jews to start his own temple Beth B'Nai Abraham. Ford plays at Hailie Selassie coronation Ford leaves his congregation to Rabbi Wentworth Arthur Matthew and moves to Ethiopia where he died five years later. Tries to sue Marcus Garvey of music royalties.