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
editHe 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 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.[1]
Merian moved to 20th Century Fox Records in November 1958.[3]
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.[4]
Merian died on 15 August 2007, in Sarasota, Florida.
Discography
editAs leader
edit- 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
edit- Specs Powell, Movin' In (Roulette, 1957)
- Tito Puente, The Essential Tito Puente (RCA, 2005)
- Pete Rugolo, Rugolomania (Columbia, 1955)
Lucky Millinder Orchestra
editWith 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
editWith 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
edit| 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
edit- Trumpet Isometrics
- Leon Merian, The Man Behind The Horn, Leon Merian with Bill Bridges, Diem Publishing Co, Bradenton, Florida, 2000, 287 pp.
References
edit- ^ a b "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
edit
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