Leon Merian (17 September 1923 – 15 August 2007) was an American jazz trumpeter and teacher. Dizzy Gillespie described his playing as "one of the most beautiful sounds you'll ever hear". Merian was also a French teacher and public school administrator.
Life He was born Leon Megerdichian in South Braintree, Massachusetts, on 17 September 1923, to Armenian immigrant parents.
Merian learned trumpet from Georges Mager.
He was a member of Lucky Millinder's band when it toured the segregated south; he was not welcome at either "white" or "colored" establishments, and ended up sleeping on the tour bus.
Merian moved to 20th Century Fox Records in November 1958.
He later had his own band; one member of it was Herb Phillips.
His publications included the well known Trumpet Isometrics. He published an autobiography in 2000.
Merian died on 15 August 2007, in Sarasota, Florida.
Discography As leader The Magic Horn (Decca) Matrix number (Decca)DateTitle10316128 August 1957The Magic Horn10316228 August 1957Love theme from La Strada10316328 August 1957Harlem nocturne10316428 August 1957Someone to watch over me10318129 August 1957My love and I10318229 August 1957The crying wind10318329 August 1957Lonely wine10318429 August 1957The nearness of you10337424 August 1957Something sentimental10337524 August 1957When you wish upon a star10337624 August 1957My silent love10337724 August 1957Dream along with me10521926 June 1958One Day I'll Buy a Trumpet10522026 June 1958Bing! Bang! Bong!
As sideman Specs Powell, Movin' In (Roulette, 1957) Tito Puente, The Essential Tito Puente (RCA, 2005) Pete Rugolo, Rugolomania (Columbia, 1955)
Lucky Millinder Orchestra With the Lucky Millinder Orchestra: Matrix number (Decca)DateTitle7339526 February 1946How big can you get7339626 February 1946More, more, more7339726 February 1946There's good blues tonight7339826 February 1946Shorty's got to go7339926 February 1946Chittlin' switch7356110 May 1946Fare Thee well Deacon Jones7386111 April 1947You can't put out a fire7386211 April 1947The spider and the fly7386311 April 1947Let it roll7386411 April 1947Begging for love
Gladys Bruce With Gladys Bruce: Matrix number (Decca)DateTitle8129620 July 1951If, if, if you were mine8129720 July 1951I've got the blues for my baby8129820 July 1951Trinidad Daddy8129920 July 1951The right kind of feeling
Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band Matrix number (Decca)DateTitle10226715 April 1957Swizzle Time10226815 April 1957Late Hours10226915 April 1957You for Me10227015 April 1957Readin', Writin' and Rockin'10227916 April 1957Three Bad Men10228016 April 1957Gumbo Rock10228116 April 1957Kissing Rock10228216 April 1957Sweet Potato Pie10228317 April 1957The Street10228417 April 1957Mr. Onion Head10228517 April 1957Ease Down10228617 April 1957The King's Ring10366213 November 1957Lady Whistle Bait10366313 November 1957Fandango Rock10366413 November 1957Cool Papa10366513 November 1957Teenage Strut10368115 November 1957Two Good Guys10368215 November 1957Tuxedo Junction10368315 November 1957In a Little Spanish Town10368415 November 1957Pushing10374622 November 1957Split Level10374722 November 1957A Stomping Good Time10374822 November 1957Two Head10374922 November 1957Campus Rumpus
Bibliography Trumpet Isometrics Leon Merian, The Man Behind The Horn, Leon Merian with Bill Bridges, Diem Publishing Co, Bradenton, Florida, 2000, 287 pp.
References
External links Obituary