Leon Merian

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."[1] Merian was also a French teacher and public school administrator.

Life

He was born Leon Megerdichian[2] in South Braintree, Massachusetts, on 17 September 1923, to Armenian immigrant parents.

Merian learned trumpet from Georges Mager.

He was a sidesman to Lucky Millinder, touring with his band in the segregated south, where, not welcome at either "white" or "colored" establishments, he ended up sleeping on the tour bus.[1]

Merian moved to 20th Century Fox Records in November 1958.[3]

He later had his own band, including such luminaries as Herb Phillips.

His publications included the well known Trumpet Isometics. He wrote an autobiography that was published in 2000.[4]

Merian died on 15 August 2007, in Sarasota, Florida.

Discography

As leader
  • The Magic Horn (Decca)
Matrix number (Decca)DateTitle
10316128 August 1957The Magic Horn
10316228 August 1957Love theme from La Strada
10316328 August 1957Harlem nocturne
10316428 August 1957Someone to watch over me
10318129 August 1957My love and I
10318229 August 1957The crying wind
10318329 August 1957Lonely wine
10318429 August 1957The nearness of you
10337424 August 1957Something sentimental
10337524 August 1957When you wish upon a star
10337624 August 1957My silent love
10337724 August 1957Dream along with me
10521926 June 1958One Day I'll Buy a Trumpet
10522026 June 1958Bing! Bang! Bong!

As sideman

Lucky Millinder Orchestra

With the Lucky Millinder Orchestra:

Matrix number (Decca)DateTitle
7339526 February 1946How big can you get
7339626 February 1946More, more, more
7339726 February 1946There's good blues tonight
7339826 February 1946Shorty's got to go
7339926 February 1946Chittlin' switch
7356110 May 1946Fare Thee well Deacon Jones
7386111 April 1947You can't put out a fire
7386211 April 1947The spider and the fly
7386311 April 1947Let it roll
7386411 April 1947Begging for love

Gladys Bruce

With Gladys Bruce:

Matrix number (Decca)DateTitle
8129620 July 1951If, if, if you were mine
8129720 July 1951I've got the blues for my baby
8129820 July 1951Trinidad Daddy
8129920 July 1951The right kind of feeling

Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band
Matrix number (Decca)DateTitle
10226715 April 1957Swizzle Time
10226815 April 1957Late Hours
10226915 April 1957You for Me
10227015 April 1957Readin', Writin' and Rockin'
10227916 April 1957Three Bad Men
10228016 April 1957Gumbo Rock
10228116 April 1957Kissing Rock
10228216 April 1957Sweet Potato Pie
10228317 April 1957The Street
10228417 April 1957Mr. Onion Head
10228517 April 1957Ease Down
10228617 April 1957The King's Ring
10366213 November 1957Lady Whistle Bait
10366313 November 1957Fandango Rock
10366413 November 1957Cool Papa
10366513 November 1957Teenage Strut
10368115 November 1957Two Good Guys
10368215 November 1957Tuxedo Junction
10368315 November 1957In a Little Spanish Town
10368415 November 1957Pushing
10374622 November 1957Split Level
10374722 November 1957A Stomping Good Time
10374822 November 1957Two Head
10374922 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.
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References
  1. "Jazz Times". Jazztimes: 158. 2003.
  2. Joseph F. Clarke (1977). Pseudonyms. BCA. p. 114.
  3. Inc, Nielsen Business Media (3 November 1958). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
  4. "802 Bookshelf: "Leon Merian, The Man Behind The Horn"". Associated Musicians of Greater New York – Local 802.


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