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) | Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 103161 | 28 August 1957 | The Magic Horn |
| 103162 | 28 August 1957 | Love theme from La Strada |
| 103163 | 28 August 1957 | Harlem nocturne |
| 103164 | 28 August 1957 | Someone to watch over me |
| 103181 | 29 August 1957 | My love and I |
| 103182 | 29 August 1957 | The crying wind |
| 103183 | 29 August 1957 | Lonely wine |
| 103184 | 29 August 1957 | The nearness of you |
| 103374 | 24 August 1957 | Something sentimental |
| 103375 | 24 August 1957 | When you wish upon a star |
| 103376 | 24 August 1957 | My silent love |
| 103377 | 24 August 1957 | Dream along with me |
| 105219 | 26 June 1958 | One Day I'll Buy a Trumpet |
| 105220 | 26 June 1958 | Bing! 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) | Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 73395 | 26 February 1946 | How big can you get |
| 73396 | 26 February 1946 | More, more, more |
| 73397 | 26 February 1946 | There's good blues tonight |
| 73398 | 26 February 1946 | Shorty's got to go |
| 73399 | 26 February 1946 | Chittlin' switch |
| 73561 | 10 May 1946 | Fare Thee well Deacon Jones |
| 73861 | 11 April 1947 | You can't put out a fire |
| 73862 | 11 April 1947 | The spider and the fly |
| 73863 | 11 April 1947 | Let it roll |
| 73864 | 11 April 1947 | Begging for love |
Gladys Bruce
With Gladys Bruce:
| Matrix number (Decca) | Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 81296 | 20 July 1951 | If, if, if you were mine |
| 81297 | 20 July 1951 | I've got the blues for my baby |
| 81298 | 20 July 1951 | Trinidad Daddy |
| 81299 | 20 July 1951 | The right kind of feeling |
Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band
| Matrix number (Decca) | Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 102267 | 15 April 1957 | Swizzle Time |
| 102268 | 15 April 1957 | Late Hours |
| 102269 | 15 April 1957 | You for Me |
| 102270 | 15 April 1957 | Readin', Writin' and Rockin' |
| 102279 | 16 April 1957 | Three Bad Men |
| 102280 | 16 April 1957 | Gumbo Rock |
| 102281 | 16 April 1957 | Kissing Rock |
| 102282 | 16 April 1957 | Sweet Potato Pie |
| 102283 | 17 April 1957 | The Street |
| 102284 | 17 April 1957 | Mr. Onion Head |
| 102285 | 17 April 1957 | Ease Down |
| 102286 | 17 April 1957 | The King's Ring |
| 103662 | 13 November 1957 | Lady Whistle Bait |
| 103663 | 13 November 1957 | Fandango Rock |
| 103664 | 13 November 1957 | Cool Papa |
| 103665 | 13 November 1957 | Teenage Strut |
| 103681 | 15 November 1957 | Two Good Guys |
| 103682 | 15 November 1957 | Tuxedo Junction |
| 103683 | 15 November 1957 | In a Little Spanish Town |
| 103684 | 15 November 1957 | Pushing |
| 103746 | 22 November 1957 | Split Level |
| 103747 | 22 November 1957 | A Stomping Good Time |
| 103748 | 22 November 1957 | Two Head |
| 103749 | 22 November 1957 | Campus 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
- ^ "Jazz Times". Jazztimes: 158. 2003.
- Joseph F. Clarke (1977). Pseudonyms. BCA. p. 114.
- Rolontz, Bob (3 November 1958). "Music as Written". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 12.
- "802 Bookshelf: "Leon Merian, The Man Behind The Horn"". Associated Musicians of Greater New York – Local 802. October 2000.
External links
 | This article about a jazz musician is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |