by Ron WynnBassist Leonard Gaskin was in the Mintons house band in the mid-40s and participated in the many jazz sessions that helped develop the classic bebop sound. He replaced Oscar Pettiford in Dizzy Gillespies mid-40s group, and through the decade worked with bands led by Cootie Williams, Charlie Parker, Eddie South, Charlie Shavers and Erroll Garner. He joined Eddie Condons dixieland band in 1956, and made several albums with them before leaving in 1960 to become a studio musician. Gaskin played mostly gospel and pop in the 60s, but in the 70s and 80s worked with Sy Oliver, Panama Francis and the International Art of Jazz.