Did you or a family member perform on Leon Claxton’s revues? Contact us today.
CARNIVAL COMPANY
Royal American Shows
HQ: Tampa, Florida
OWNERS/ MANAGEMENT
Claxton, Leon D. (owner/producer, emcee)
Claxton, Gwendolyn Bates (co-manager)
TALKERS
Paradise, Tony (front manager/ talker)
Adams, Skeeter (talker)
STAFF/CREW
- Anderson, Helen
- Alexander, Claire (transportation)
- Burns, David (stage manager)
- Claxton, Charles
- Claxton, Ira
- Cohen, Murray (concession)
- Cohen, Shirley (concession)
- Cunningham, John (tent)
- Dunnigan, Charles (tent)
- Duncan Jr., Fred (tent)
- Edwards, Jim (general manager)
- Gortell, Michles
- Hammond, David Russell (asst mgr)
- Jackson, Jack (tent mgr)
- James, Cleon L. (tent)
- Johnson, Jack (canvas bossman. concession mgr)
- Johnson, Walter (Bobby) (porter)
- Johns, George (foreman)
- Kelly, Bob (talker)
- Lawrence, Faye (costume designer)
- Linden, Henry (front manager)
- McGowan, Shon (dance director/choreographer)
- Mobely, Wilbert (cook)
- Orchard, James (talker)
- Revling, Kenny (front man/ talker)
- Robinson, Ocsar
- Roberts, Bobby (assistant dance director)
- Ross, Robert
- Russell, Arthur (tent)
- Schloo Chick (talker)
- “Skins” (Security)
- Smalls Boykin (assistant dance director)
- Summers, Louis Gene (cook)
- Williams, Theodore (tent)
- Winkler, Bob (talker)
Many of the photographers who captured the spirit of Harlem in Havana and the Royal American Shows in the many publicity photos remain unknown. Here is a partial list of those whose work endures:
- Robertson and Fresh
- M.A. Studios
- Southern Photo and News
- Hobart Freeman
- Lou Lowery
- Larry Nicholson
COMICS/ EMCEES
- Allyn, Billy
- Bowen, Homer Lee
- Butter Beans & Dixie
- Cook & Brown
- Claxton, Leon
- Dickerson, Claude
- Dink, Wink and Blink
- Fox, Redd
- Jackson, Al “Fats”
- James, Frank
- Jones, Helen (fat lady)
- Luis and Allen
- Lewis, Willie
- Mucherum, William
- Patterson & Jackson
- Redd Foxx
- Seals, Ernie
- Scott, Dianah
- “Tiny” Kennedy
- Thomas, Rufus (emcee)
- TootSweet
- Tyson & Tyson
- Tyson, Clay
- Warren, Jimmy
- Willie TootSweet
DANCERS
This is a growing list of the talented dancers who graced the stage of Leon Claxton’s legendary Harlem in Havana and Harlem Revue, as well as earlier shows. Their artistry and contributions remain a significant part of American entertainment history.
- Abascal, Victoria
- Alcainas, Hermania
- Alonso, Josphina
- Allen Dancers
- Averhoff, Mina
- Baker, Darneatha “Tootsie” (Fan Dancer)
- Barnes, Mary
- Bates, Mary Shirley
- Bates, Delores
- Bates Claxton, Gwendolyn
- Boykin, Smalls
- Billy, Leroy and Shine
- Briggs, Clara
- Burnette, Annie Jean
- Burke, India
- Camejo, Lillia
- Chick and Vickey
- Chocolateers (Tap)
- Clayton “Peg Leg” (Tap)
- Charles, Jo Han
- Crip, Henry Heard (Tap)
- Daniels, Dorothy
- Davis, Sonya
- DeJan, Laurita Rose
- Dloet, Lesvia De La Crus
- Elsie
- Estelle (Rhumba Dancer)
- Ferrer, Erine
- Fields, Daisy
- Fox, Gloria
- Frank, Julian (Choreographer)
- Fouchee Dancers (Haitian Dancers)
- Gaye, Kim (Stripper)
- Gleenio, Marty
- Goodwin, Lester (Choreographer)
- Goye, Kim
- Green, Joan
- Greta Garbage Garland (Satire Dancer)
- Grimke, Harold
- Hall, Daisy
- Hall, Juanita
- Harvey, Laurita
- Holman, Jesse (Exotic Dancer)
- Jackson, Doris
- Jette, Anna
- Johnson, King (Tap)
- Jones, Noblez
- Joseph, Katherine (Adagio Dancer)
- Joseph, Willie
- Kelly, Earline
- Kit Kats (Dance Team)
- Kitty Kat (Fan Dancer)
- Lawrence, Faye
- Lawton, Carol K.
- Lee, Delores
- Little Cameojio
- Lovett, Milton
- Lynn, Dee Dee
- Louis–Taylor, Emma
- Madrid and Pitucha (Rumba Team)
- McGowan Dancers
- McGowan Trio
- McGowan, Shon (Dance Director/Choreographer)
- Muldrew, Delores
- Murray, Pixie
- Noland & Yvonne (Limbo Dancers)
- Patterson, Fanet
- Perkins, Pat
- Reed, Charles (Barefoot Dancer)
- Rhythm Rockets
- “Riff Cats”
- Roberts, Bobby
- Rodriquez, Nancy
- Rose, Little Gladys
- Ross, Beatrice
- Scott, Venus “Tiny”
- Serrano, Dolores De Suzy
- Shuff, Pauline
- Slayden, Peaches
- Smith-Burnside, Verna Mae
- Smith, Hilda
- Smith, Geneva
- Sparkey & Spencer (Tap Dancers)
- Stovell, Lorraine Lee
- Swaine, Julian (Choreographer)
- Talbert, Norma
- The Three Bopadairs
- The Cuban Dancing Dolls
- Three Chocolateers
- Three Leggers
- Tony Tony (Adagio Dancer)
- Tylar, Ruth
- Valdes, Mario
- Vega, Pitucha
- Vega, Caredad
- Vicki & Rudy (Tap Dancers)
- Wright, Shirley
- Ward, Clara Lee
- Whitfield, Ruby (Marie)
- Williams, Doris
- Williams, Francis
- Wingo Twins
VOCALISTS/SINGERS
- Five Pennies
- Ali, Vilma
- Bass, Fontella
- Berry, Chuck
- Big Memphis Ma Rainey
- Blatch, Viola
- Burton, Goldie
- Cole, Cozy
- Conners, Harold (Hal)
- Cubanos
- Dinah Washington
- Dean, Chubby
- “Four Notes”
- Kubanos
- Gould, George (Baritone)
- Hammond, David Russell
- Hollin, Evelyn
- Holloway, Charles
- Lee, Carol
- Little Bea
- Lynn, Micki
- Meyers, Herbert
- Mitchum, Bea
- Myers, John
- Myers, James
- Nelson, Gilbert
- The Avalons
- The Profiles
- The Kubanas
- Valdes, Merceditas
- Versatiles
- Washington, Benjamin
- Washingtn, Dinah
- Wright, Carol
MUSICIANS
- Alexander, Felix
- Alexander, Ike
- Banks, Kenneth (bass)
- Belvin, Nathan
- Bennett, Walter
- Bermudz, Carlos (band leader)
- Berry, Chuck
- Booker, Henry
- Bowie, Lester
- Carlos, Jewels
- Carlos, Pete
- Cooper, Steve
- Costello, Larry (piano)
- Davis, Pops
- Diannard, Richard
- Dempsey, James Warren (trumpet)
- Diaz, Raoul
- Edwards Bobby (guitar)
- Edwards, Darnell
- Fellove, Gabino
- Fields, George (band leader)
- Fontaine, Maurice (band lead)
- Ford Jr. Frederick
- Frasier, James
- Hall, Reginald
- Harvey, William (Musical Director)
- Jackson, Cleophus
- James, Frank
- Jenkins, Wendell
- Jimenez, Frank (cuban drummer)
- Hampton, Riley
- Hamilton, Walter Karl (guitarist)
- Harrell, Bob “Buddy”
- Harrison, Donald (trumpet)
- Harvey, Cephus (sax)
- Horst, Kenny (drummer)
- Hughes, George ( congas)
- Lacey, Bill (Bandleader)
- “Little Genevieve” (Bandleader)
- Matthews, Hardy
- Martin, Bill
- Martinez, Gullermina
- Maxie, Freddie
- Means Jr., Jeff
- McGee, Gossie D.
- McKee Trio
- Miler, Ernest (trumpet)
- Milton, Roy (band leader)
- Monday, Paul
- Panier, Frank (cuban drummer)
- Peterson, Larry (drummer)
- Phillips, John
- Raymond, Henry (alto sax)
- Reason, Irving Louis (arranger)
- Rhythm Willie (Harmonica)
- Rodriquez Trio
- Rodriquez, Giraldo
- Roy Milton Band
- Scott, Herbert
- Scott, Earl (bandleader)
- Scott, Jack (bandleader)
- Serrano Plar, Berta
- Simger, Murphy (trumpet)
- Smith Jr., Nathan (Bass)
- Sims, Jack
- Simon, Jinx (bandleader)
- Thomas, Carl (bandleader)
- Thomas, Emory
- Three Bopadairs
- Varona, Enrique (cuban drummer)
- Washington, George
- Watson, Thomas
- White, John (sax)
- Witherspoon, Hillard (trumpet)
- Wynder, Rocky
- Wirdchard, Albert
- Woodard, Eddie Nathan
Contact us to learn more.
HARLEM IN HAVANA 