Leon Merian
Leon Merian 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 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.
Merian moved to 20th Century Fox Records in November 1958.
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.
Merian died on 15 August 2007, in Sarasota, Florida.
Discography
As leader
- The Magic Horn
| Matrix number | 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
- Tito Puente, The Essential Tito Puente
- Pete Rugolo, Rugolomania
Lucky Millinder Orchestra
| Matrix number | 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 | 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 |